The Westmorland FA Senior Challenge Cup takes centre stage this weekend with a Parkside Road final up for grabs. Ross McLean checks in with the men at the helm of the semi-final runners and riders…….

Kendal County v Kendal United

Kendal County

League: West Lancashire Football League Division Two

Position: 4th

Manager: Neil Hayton

“This is our only chance of silverware this season so it’s an exceptionally important game. It would be a great achievement for the club to make it to the final for the second season running, which would give us a chance to retain the trophy which is what we’re aiming to do. It’s going to be a tough game as Kendal United are a good side with a lot of talented individuals – we’ll have to be at our best to beat them. It’s also a local derby which will make things interesting but we’re prepared for it. Derby games are always a bit of a battle so I think the game is shaping up to be won and lost in the centre of the park. We’ll definitely have to perform at our best.”

Ones to Watch: Chris Vincent and Brody Wallace Moffatt have 11 goals between them in the last four games.

Kendal United

League: Westmorland Football League Division One

Position: 4th

Manager: Richard Axford

“To be honest this match isn’t as important as last year’s semi-final against Kendal County. This year we’re in a good position in the league having only lost two games and we’re also in the semi-final of the High Sheriff’s Cup. It’s important but it’s not our whole season. I won’t go shouting it from the roof tops but I’m quietly confident going into the match, providing we turn up and play how we have throughout the season. We started this senior team back in 2005 and over the next nine seasons we’ve gone from bottom of division four to fourth in division one. It’s been a long journey to take the club back to the top where it belongs so this cup final would be the icing on the cake.”

Ones to Watch: Jay Turner, Jason Tucker and Cameron Stewart

Appleby v Ambleside United

Appleby

League: Westmorland Football League Division One

Position: 7th

Manager: Paul Crawford

“It doesn’t come much bigger than this. Last year we were challenging for the league whereas we’re not this year. Last Saturday we lost in the semi-final of the Benevolent Trophy so it’s a huge game for our season and one we must win in order to have any success. We beat Ambleside in the Invitation Trophy final last year so we know we’re capable of doing it but we’ll need to be at our best given the higher league opposition we face. We’re pretty confident going into it – we’re more or less at full strength and have had some good results lately. We beat league leaders and champions Wetheriggs United before playing well against Keswick last week only to get pipped on penalties so we go into it with confidence.”

Ones to Watch: Skipper Thomas Armstrong, Dan Robinson and Jordan Crawford

Ambleside United

League: West Lancashire Football League Division One

Position: 14th

Manager: George Gudgeon

“We’re looking to stay in West Lancashire League Division One but it’s a big cup and the biggest thing in the area so we’re looking to get to the final and go all the way. It would mean a lot to get there and have the opportunity to win silverware. A cup run gives any side a good finish to the season and the chance to end things on a high. We have a lot of young lads at Ambleside and the squad is learning all the time. We suffered a heavy defeat last Saturday but Hurst Green play at a much higher level than our opponents this weekend. Like every game, we’ll go in with confidence. When we played Appleby in The Invitation Trophy final the midfield was very competitive and I’m sure the same will apply.”

Ones to Watch: Jake Miles, Jack Bradley and winger Jake Routledge can cause any team problems on his day.