YORK 1STS meet Leeds Met 2nds in the Northern Conference Cup semi-final tomorrow afternoon.
For the first time in their history, York squash club have the opportunity to make a BUCS cup final, with tomorrow’s winner facing either Manchester Met 1sts or Lancaster 1sts next month.
York saw off Durham 2nds in the quarter final, after winning by default against Hull 1sts – who were unable to field a team – and emerging triumphantly from an encounter with Durham 1sts in the last 32.
Meanwhile, Leeds Met beat Durham 3rds in the quarters after seeing off Sheffield 3rds and Huddersfield 2nds, all by a comprehensive 3-0 margin.
The two sides met in a league fixture just a fortnight ago, when York agonisingly lost out in a terrific contest. However, York currently top the Northern 2B table and are well on course for promotion, while Leeds sit in fourth place.
The power and pace of Ed Shannon will provide a stern test for York’s local rivals, while David Potter’s aggression and Matt Lewis’ never-say-die attitude could prove to be key in the contest.
Shannon, who often features as Seed 1 for York, said: “This is a big game for us. We had a good win last week against Sheffield, and that has set us up nicely for this really important match.”
York’s work ethic has been marvellous this campaign, with each player giving their all in league and cup games. The squad will have their eyes on Chris Baird and Lewis Doughty, who might well be labelled as Leeds’ weaklings. The two were easily beaten when the sides met last month, but will no doubt be at the top of their game in this all-important winner-takes-all contest.
The men in black and gold are playing excellent squash and have the shots in their armoury to outrun Leeds in rallies, and to outgun Leeds in determination. The visitors definitely have the upper hand after the narrow victory in the latest head-to-head encounter, but it’s York who are likely to emerge victorious in this contest.