Coach Carl urges Crusaders' fans to turn out in force
If everything goes their way, it will certainly be a day to remember for the Crusaders.
Should Workington Town lose out at home to Keighley Cougars, a triumph for North Wales would see them crowned as League One champions for the season.
Head coach Forster told CruCast: 'We're trying, we really are and we just want the fans' support.
'I think... the next two Sundays are potentially two cup finals. It can actually be won on Sunday if we do what we need to do and Keighley beat Workington.
'So, you know, we could be in a party atmosphere come Sunday, or it's next week at Rochdale.
'But, I think if you look back at when we went to Doncaster in that cup final, it felt like a home game.
'So, I just urge everyone to come out, support the boys, you know. Sunday, we could achieve what we've wanted to achieve for the last three years, which would be massive for the club and I think we should all be there to enjoy it together and, if it's not this week, I think we've just got to build some momentum and, you know, get as much support as we can and hopefully bring that trophy home.'
It's been some campaign already for the Crusaders, with 12 wins from their 13 matches.
However, their solitary loss did come away against Sunday's visitors Swinton back in early June.
The Lions came roaring back from a 16-6 interval deficit to record a terrific 26-20 triumph. Sam Wilde, Pat Ah Van and Ollie Brookes scored North Wales' tries on the day, with Jamie Dallimore kicking the remainder of the points.
Reflecting on that match, Forster admitted: 'I felt when we played them at their place we let emotions take over, a few ex-Swinton lads in our side probably over-played and as a team we just went away from what we do well.
'Swinton have also added some more quality since then, so we'll be looking at their last few games and we're ready for a very physical game.'
With Jake Spedding and Jordan Case both returning from injury last weekend, coupled with the first appearance of the season for Jamie Jenkins and reserve player Kian Fishwick being brought into the fold, Forster admitted he's got a selection headache this week.
'The lads who came in last week did really well, we knew that during the run-in we'd need every member of the squad so last week gave me an opportunity to test a few different combinations and also get game time into lads who we'll need over the next six to seven weeks,' he said.
'They did really well, and they've certainly given me a headache when it comes to choosing the squad on Friday.'
Elsewhere on Sunday, Dewsbury Rams travel to Newcastle Thunder and Rochdale Hornets welcome Whitehaven.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
12 minutes ago
- Metro
Arteta rates Gyokeres' first Arsenal start and provides Havertz injury update
Arsenal boss Mike Arteta says he saw 'a lot of things' to be positive about in Viktor Gyokeres' display against Villarreal and is confident the striker will be in a 'better condition' to face Athletic Bilbao this weekend. Gyokeres was named in Arteta's starting XI for the first time having swapped Sporting for Arsenal last month and the 27-year-old will have been desperate to open his account in front of a home crowd at the Emirates. But it wasn't to be for Gyokeres, despite the Swede's new team-mates making a noticeable effort to help get their marquee summer signing off the mark in the entertaining 3-2 defeat. Gyokeres was on the field for an hour in north London and his best opportunity to find the net came just before he was substituted, but the forward's powerful effort was well saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior. While Christian Norgaard and Martin Odegaard did manage to get on the scoresheet, goals from ex-Gunner Nicolas Pepe, Karl Etta Eyong and Arnaut Danjuma were ultimately enough to secure victory for the visitors. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – click here and sign up before Friday to make sure you don't miss the first edition. Arteta will no doubt be hoping his side return to winning ways when they return to the stadium on Saturday to face Athletic Bilbao in the Emirates Cup. Asked if it could take some time for Gyokeres to get acclimatised to a new environment, Arteta told reporters: 'We already broke that line today because I think it was very important for him to start a match and start to have the feeling and the connection with the team. 'He's been with us only a week or so, but I really saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking certain spaces. 'So in general, for a lot of players that haven't played many minutes, we have a lot now that they're going to be ready for Saturday in a much better condition.' Pressed on how long it could take his players to get used to Gyokeres, the Arsenal head coach replied: 'I hope days, and every day in training I think he's getting a really good feeling. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I think he's built connections as well outside, which I think is really important with players that are going to help him to get in the position that he needs to get in. 'On his fitness level, I think he hasn't trained really with the team for two months, so he's done now six or five sessions, I think, before today. 'So I think on Saturday again he will take another step and he will be in a better condition.' Arteta is confident Gyokeres will be '100 per cent' ready to make his mark come August 17, when Arsenal open their Premier League campaign against Manchester United. 'I think mentally and understanding what he needs to do, he will be 100 per cent or more because he's so willing and so confident as well that he can deliver straightaway,' he added. 'I have no doubt that he will be in a really good place.' Arteta reassured Arsenal fans over Kai Havertz's fitness after the German was missing from his matchday squad to face Villarreal. More Trending 'Yesterday in training he felt something and this morning he wasn't quite right, so we decided to rest him,' the Spaniard explained. 'I think it's going to be a matter of a couple of days, hopefully at the weekend, if everything goes to plan, I think he will be fit.' The contest also came too soon for Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard and Riccardo Calafiori, but there is a 'chance' all three could feature against Athletic Bilbao. 'The three that we lost during the tour, it was Gabi, Leo and Richy, and for Saturday I think both of them have a chance, if everything in the next few days evolves in the way that it's been evolving in the last few days,' he added. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Mikel Arteta drops major hint over Max Dowman ahead of new Premier League season MORE: Arsenal and Man Utd told they should have 'taken a chance' on £46m Liverpool star MORE: Arsenal told to sacrifice one of two players to fund £68m transfer
Daily Mirror
12 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Danny Welbeck thinks Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim could be signing a world-beater next
As Manchester United ponder the signing of a midfielder, Ruben Amorim may benefit from hearing the thoughts of Danny Welbeck, who plays alongside one of their new top targets Danny Welbeck has previously tipped Manchester United transfer target Carlos Baleba to become one of the best midfielders in the world. United head coach Ruben Amorim has mainly focussed on bolstering his attack this summer, but is turning attention to the middle of the park. The Red Devils began the transfer window by signing Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million, before going on to splash £71million on Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford, while 18-year-old defensive prospect Diego Leon also arrived in-between those arrivals. RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is also closing in on a mega-money move to Old Trafford, and it seems that once that deal is done, United could turn to Baleba, having now been linked with a swoop for the Cameroon international. The Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder, who has previously been admired by Chelsea, has caught United's eye with his impressive performances for Fabian Hurzeler's side. He has also more than impressed team-mate and former United forward Welbeck, who believes Baleba has the potential to become one of the best in world football. In an interview with BBC Radio Sussex back in November last year, Welbeck explained his thoughts on the 21-year-old. The ex-Arsenal forward said: "He can be unstoppable. If he keeps up with that desire and passion, he can go right to the top. He's got all of the attributes to be a world-beater.' Welbeck is not the only former United star who has been impressed by Baleba. Rio Ferdinand recently admitted he would like to see his former side try and sign the promising box-to-box midfielder. Speaking on his Rio Presents podcast, the former England and United skipper said: "I'm being greedy, and [if] we are able to shift the other players that are surplus to requirements, I'd be going for Baleba in midfield. "[He] beats the press on a regular basis. [He's] confident on the ball. [He] can move, is mobile. He is a Ruben Amorim midfielder.' According to The Athletic, United have already made contact with Brighton about a potential move for Baleba. However, it's also claimed the Red Devils would need to sell some unwanted players such as Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho, before they can make a meaningful bid for Baleba. The midfielder has three years left on his deal, which gives the Seagulls plenty of room to demand a high fee. Two seasons ago, Brighton extracted £115m from Chelsea for Moises Caicedo, a Premier League record transfer at the time. It's understood Brighton may demand a similar transfer fee for Baleba, although United are thought to value him at around £70m. When asked about the Red Devils' interest in Baleba, Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told spectators at a supporters event: "We will always try to make sure we sell our best players at the right time, not just for the player but for us. "If we end up doing that with any player, it's with the view to leave Fabian [head coach Hurzeler] with a very competitive squad, whatever happens. We don't want to sell our best players. "Carlos is a fantastic talent who has a lot of years ahead of him. We hope he will be here for many years to come. But it's something that, as always, is subjective to the dynamics of the football world, which isn't always predictable."
Powys County Times
17 minutes ago
- Powys County Times
Powys hockey player Leanne Davies shines in red of Wales
A POWYS hockey player is celebrating after a stellar summer. Leanne Davies is one of the most recognisable names in the local hockey scene having played for hometown club Llanfair Caereinion for more than two decades. And, it seems the 45-year-old is in no mood to slow down after enjoying her best season to date and a summer she will not forget for a while. Last week the Llanidloes-based player was part of the Wales squad which took part in the Veteran Home Nations in Scotland and played a key role for her country. Wales beat Scotland 3-0 before losing to Ireland and England to end third in the rankings. Davies was also nominated most improved player of the tournament and received an an award from Wales coach Andy Holland. She said: 'This moment means more than just putting on a jersey. It represents years of dedication, passion, and resilience.' Earlier in the summer the veteran was also part of the Wales squad to take part in the European Masters in Spain when ex-Newtown player Karen Bubb was also selected. Wales ended sixth after defeats to Ireland and Belgium. She said: 'I am so proud and feel so lucky to be able to play for Wales.'
