York travel to Preston tomorrow for undoubtedly the biggest game in the club’s recent history. They meet arch-rivals Lancaster in a mammoth Northern Conference Cup final clash, with the sides all set to serve up a cracker. 
York will be matched by their strong opponents, though, who finished in a solid third place in the Northern 2A League table this campaign, the division above their opponents. And it may take York a little time to get into the swing of things, as in previous matches they have started sloppily. But the players will certainly find their stroke and if they do fall behind, it will be all about how they rally back.
Once again, York agonisingly missed out on promotion with their last game of the campaign ending in a luckless 3-2 defeat to Sheffield Hallam last week. But no pity will be shown by Lancaster tomorrow: after all, love means nothing in squash.
Third-year captain David Potter told Vision: “It’s so, so disappointing to finish second [in the league], but we’re looking forward to Lancaster when hopefully we’ll pick up some silverware. The team have all been brilliant, and I’m really proud of the effort everyone has put in this season. It will be my last game for the club tomorrow so we are desperate for that victory.”
Top seed Ed ‘The Cannon’ Shannon made a racket after a frustrating performance ended in defeat last Wednesday, but tomorrow he has the opportunity to redeem himself and score big in what would be, if York were to triumph, a truly ace result.
York have seen off Hull, Durham and Leeds Met to reach the final, but to place Lancaster in a similar category ability-wise would be really missing the point. Lancaster have secured top-three finishes in all but one of their last nine Northern 2A league campaigns, and will go into tomorrow’s contest as strong favourites.
So will York be able to rise to the challenge and claim victory in this winner-takes-all Roses rehearsal? Can Ed Shannon, Sam West-Moorland, Miles Knight, David Potter and John Holden complete a sensational cup-run in style? Who will be crowned Northern Conference Cup Champions 2013? 3-2 York: you heard it here first.