EAST LANCASHIRE'S double assault on league and cup glory is beginning to hot up with table-topping Haslingden standing between them and silverware this season.

The two sides come face-to-face for the second time in a week in Sunday's Worsley Cup semi final clash of the titans (June 15) - with East Lancs out for revenge.

Haslingden kept the men from the Alexandra Meadows off the top of the table last week with a reduced run rate victory. That defeat ended four successive league and cup victories which has taken East Lancs into the last four of the cup and into second place in the Lancashire League.

Stelling said: "Playing Haslingden in the final would have been perfect because they are definitely our main rivals in the league and cup but now we have to prepare to face them in the semi finals. We lost against them on Sunday (June 8) but that was only to lull them into a false sense of security. The side is beginning to play with a lot more consistency now and we are confident we can reach the final and go on a win the league."

But the South African warned nobody can be ruled out of the title race just yet - even eighth-placed Todmorden who trail the leaders by nine points.

Stelling added: "We were in the same position as Todmorden last year and we nearly won the league. Hopefully last season's campaign will work in our favour."

While all eyes will be on Sunday's mouth-watering cup clash, East Lancs still have to beat rejuvenated Burnley on league duty on Saturday (June 14) to keep the pressure on Haslingden.

Fixtures: Saturday, June 14, League: Accrington v Nelson, Colne v Enfield, East Lancs v Burnley, Haslingden v Bacup, Lowerhouse v Rishton, Rawtenstall v Ramsbottom, Todmorden v Church. Sunday, Worsley Cup semi-finals: Haslingden v East Lancs, Burnley v Todmorden.

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