SKIPPER Paul Gaskell is delighted with the application shown by his top dogs Clitheroe as they returned to form with a bang at the weekend – and is now aiming for glory on two fronts.

Gaskell’s Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale League leaders bounced back from their shock Ramsbottom Cup exit at the hands of lowly Padiham to beat Euxton in the league on Saturday before pulling off a massive shock in the Lancashire Cup 24 hours later.

Clitheroe, who beat Northern League big hitters Barrow in the second round, went one better at Chatburn Road on Sunday when they hammered Liverpool Competition outfit Maghull to march into the last eight.

And now they face a wait to see if they will play cross-town rivals Ribblesdale Wanderers in the quarter-finals – and Gaskell is rooting for his near neighbours.

Wanderers play Denton St Lawrence in their second round tie next month and if they win that they will travel to face Clitheroe at Chatburn Road.

“It would be great if they got through to play us,” said Gaskell.

“That would be a really big occasion for both clubs and the league.”

Of the win over Maghull, who Clittheroe bowled out for just 59, Gaskell added: “We fancy our chances against anyone, especially at home.

“We didn’t expect to bowl them out for 59 but we performed really well with the ball and put them under pressure from the off.

“It was an excellent display and followed on from a good performance on Saturday against Euxton.

“It was a big weekend for us after we lost to Padiham in the Ramsbottom Cup.

“Fair play to Padiham, I won’t take anything away from them. They deserved to beat us on the day and maybe we took our eyes off the ball a touch.

“We also lost at Settle in the Twenty20 and I’m sure a few people were starting to think our bubble had burst.

“But we had a long chat about the Padiham game in the build up to the weekend and said we had to respond in the right way with the right application.

“We certainly did that and now we can look to kick on this weekend at Barnoldswick.

“That won’t be an easy game as they have some real match-winners in their team.

“But we are confident and want to stay out at the top of the table.”