LOCAL rivals Great Harwood and Darwen meet in the NWCL Division Two Trophy at Darwen tonight.

Darwen boss Steve Wilkes was confident going into the match that was brought forward to tonight to attract a bigger crowd.

"We are playing an East Lancs side, and we never win against local sides and we are playing in a a cup, and we never win cup games, so good luck to Great Harwood in thr next round," he joked.

"Seriously though, we want a big crowd here for what should be a good game.

"John Hughes has done a good job there."

Harwood manager Hughes has signed three new players but they are ineligible to play.

Centre back Wayne Taylor, who was at Rossendale with Taylor, has joined and Alex Hinchcliffe (striker) and Andy Green (midfielder) have signed from local leagues.

Hughes was furious when a goal conceded late into injury time against Colne last Saturday lost them all three points.

"I want nine points from our next three league games, " he said. "Because I want to stay in touch with the leaders.

"I thought it was a disgrace that the referee played seven minutes of injury time. But we had the chances to put the game byond doubt and didn't take them.

"Tonight's game is a local derby. I know Steve Wilkes will be up for it."

GREAT HARWOOD play a re-arranged fixture at home to Ashton next Wednesday (7.45pm kick off).