Published at 16:09, Friday, 22 February 2013

A FORMER Sunday League team have come a long way in three seasons.

In that short time the Britannia, based in Church Street, Barrow, have won two successive league titles and now sit in the Rifleman’s Garage Furness Premier League.

Tomorrow they focus their attention on Kirkby United at the Community Centre in round two of the Terry Clinton Trophy.

The tie has been postponed twice because of the conditions and the teams will be hoping it is third time lucky that the match goes ahead.

Britannia secretary Ian McPherson anticipates a tough challenge against a side who sit second in the Premier Division, while Kirkby secretary Tim Fisher is hoping his side progress and go on to complete a treble over their rivals, having already beaten them in the league earlier this season.

The Britannia achieved their present status after going up as Division Two and Division One champions in successive seasons, and now they have a reserve side which leads Division Two.

Looking ahead to the tie at Kirkby, McPherson said: “They are a bit of a bogey team, they beat us this season, obviously we are looking for revenge. It is going to be a tough game, I think Kirkby are the favourites, but we will give it our all.”

The Brit will look to players such as Dave Jepson, keeper Matthew Anderson, and Andrew Higginson, who plays in centre midfield or up front.

McPherson added: “Every game we look to win, if we win a cup it will be a good season for us in our first season at the top of the league.”

Fisher was full of praise for his opponents, saying: “It is always a good game against the Brit.”

But he added: “We are hoping to complete the treble over them because we have got to play them in the league again.

“We have a full squad on Saturday, nobody is injured, we are on a good run at the moment, we are unbeaten on seven.”

Kirkby have a strong side, with players like winger Paul Cleasby and striker Dave Regan always likely to cause a danger to opposition defences. Lewis Woodend has also produced the goods for the club, while Tom Harrison and Alastair Bradley, who have come up from the reserves, are playing well.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk