GARY Fawcett is quietly confident Ulverston Rangers are starting to show what they are capable of heading into tomorrow’s Furness Senior Cup quarter-final at home to Crooklands Casuals.

Rangers are on an eight-game unbeaten run, which included a 4-2 win away to fifth-placed Stoneclough prior to having a blank Saturday last weekend.

They are still in contention for two cup competitions as well, with a Presidents Cup quarter-final at home to Eagley two weeks after the Senior Cup clash.

Fawcett is wary of tempting fate, but could not hide how impressed he was with the display at Stoneclough and hopes it is the start of something good.

“We’ve been on a nice little run, we’ve won a few and drawn a few, but it’s starting to click a little bit now,” said Fawcett.

“Against Stoneclough, we played them off the park for 80 minutes, to be fair, and deserved the win.

“I think it’s the best we’ve played all season, footballing-wise, and we went 2-1 down and showed great character to come back. We really played well that day.

“Realistically, the league has gone now, but we’ve still got two cups to go for.”

That unbeaten run included a 1-1 draw at home to Crooklands in their first West Lancashire League Division One match after the Christmas break.

On that occasion, a 93rd-minute equaliser from Cassies’ Daniel Sharp ensured it finished honours even after Sean Mooney had put Ulverston in front from the penalty spot.

The closeness of the teams is emphasised by the fact Crooklands are just three points ahead of Rangers in the league table – albeit having played two games more – and Fawcett expects tomorrow’s cup tie to be a similarly tight affair.

“We’ve got a full squad to pick from on Saturday, so hopefully we can turn Cassies over, but it will be a really tough match,” said Fawcett.

“There was nothing between both sides (last month). Both had quite a few chances to win the game, but I think a draw was a fair result at the end.

“It was a very tight match, so I’m expecting another toughie on Saturday.”

There is another all-West Lancashire League clash in the last eight, with Division Two side Furness Rovers playing host to Division One outfit Hawcoat Park.

Meanwhile, Furness Premier League sides Vickerstown reserves and Holker Old Boys reserves will be aiming to spring surprises when they head to Askam United – who knocked out holders Millom in round one – and last season’s runners-up Walney Island respectively.