Cup final boost for Lairds
Tue 17th April 2018 | Cammell Laird 1907 | By Ian Templeman
Cammell Laird 1907 manager Mick McGraa believes that the boost of reaching the final of the LWC Drinks First Division Cup is exactly what his side needed, as they launch a bid to make the play offs.
Lairds booked their place in the cup final with Monday night's 2-1 win at Daisy Hill, completing a 5-2 aggregate win, and they will now meet the winners of the other semi-final between Prestwich Heys and Sandbach United at the Millbank Linnets Stadium in Runcorn on the 9th of May.
Mick believes that the fighting spirit his team showed, in a tough semi-final second leg, bodes well for the important games coming up.
"We knew it was going to be hard and they (Daisy Hill) gave us a good game in the end, but the lads came through and it was a good win", he said.
"The cup has been a good distraction from the play offs as that 's all we've been talking about. Now if we do get in there (the play offs), it's a great incentive for players to be aiming to go and play in two finals, as there will be places up for grabs.
"Obviously Prestwich and Sandbach are two strong teams, both are in play off positions, which is where we want to be.
"We beat Prestwich at home, and they beat us at their ground, and with Sandbach, if they get to the final, we play them two days before in a league game, so that would be interesting".
Lairds' position is a lot more positive than at this time last year, when they were marooned at the bottom of the Premier Division and heading for relegation, and Mick says he is happy with the way that the season has worked out.
"Obviously with the shenanigans that went on last season it was hard", he admitted.
"We didn't have players available to us and really the best thing that could have happened to the club was to go down, it's brought the club together.
"We took over in the October, we knew what was going to happen, so within that we just had to build ready for this year.
"So getting to the final is great for the club, the area and all the supporters that come down, it's a big positive for us.
"We can just bank it now, it's something to look forward to, and it's just down to the league now. We've just got to try and go unbeaten the rest of the season and get in the play offs.
"Over the last couple of weeks looking at the league website, we've been looking at the form guides and we've been right up there.
"We're a team no one really wants to play, we've probably got one of the best home records in the league, so hopefully we can keep on winning and from there try and make the play offs and maybe even get out of this league.
"If we achieve that, as well as getting to a final, it's been a great year for us".
Cup final boost for Lairds
Tue 17th April 2018 | Cammell Laird 1907
By Ian Templeman
Cammell Laird 1907 manager Mick McGraa believes that the boost of reaching the final of the LWC Drinks First Division Cup is exactly what his side needed, as they launch a bid to make the play offs.
Lairds booked their place in the cup final with Monday night's 2-1 win at Daisy Hill, completing a 5-2 aggregate win, and they will now meet the winners of the other semi-final between Prestwich Heys and Sandbach United at the Millbank Linnets Stadium in Runcorn on the 9th of May.
Mick believes that the fighting spirit his team showed, in a tough semi-final second leg, bodes well for the important games coming up.
"We knew it was going to be hard and they (Daisy Hill) gave us a good game in the end, but the lads came through and it was a good win", he said.
"The cup has been a good distraction from the play offs as that 's all we've been talking about. Now if we do get in there (the play offs), it's a great incentive for players to be aiming to go and play in two finals, as there will be places up for grabs.
"Obviously Prestwich and Sandbach are two strong teams, both are in play off positions, which is where we want to be.
"We beat Prestwich at home, and they beat us at their ground, and with Sandbach, if they get to the final, we play them two days before in a league game, so that would be interesting".
Lairds' position is a lot more positive than at this time last year, when they were marooned at the bottom of the Premier Division and heading for relegation, and Mick says he is happy with the way that the season has worked out.
"Obviously with the shenanigans that went on last season it was hard", he admitted.
"We didn't have players available to us and really the best thing that could have happened to the club was to go down, it's brought the club together.
"We took over in the October, we knew what was going to happen, so within that we just had to build ready for this year.
"So getting to the final is great for the club, the area and all the supporters that come down, it's a big positive for us.
"We can just bank it now, it's something to look forward to, and it's just down to the league now. We've just got to try and go unbeaten the rest of the season and get in the play offs.
"Over the last couple of weeks looking at the league website, we've been looking at the form guides and we've been right up there.
"We're a team no one really wants to play, we've probably got one of the best home records in the league, so hopefully we can keep on winning and from there try and make the play offs and maybe even get out of this league.
"If we achieve that, as well as getting to a final, it's been a great year for us".
