KEIGHLEY under-17s travel to county headquarters on Saturday (11am) for the final of the West Riding County FA Minor Cup against Leeds, looking to go one better than last year’s runners-up spot.

It has been a great achievement for a side with a relatively small catchment area to reach the show-piece for the second year running.

Keighley, who lost to Wharfedale in last season's final, finished top of Group B with three wins from three games and then received a walkover in the semi-final against Huddersfield.

They are aiming to win the trophy for the fifth time, having first won in 1980 and then again in 1990 and 1995 and 2006.

Manager Charlie Wysocki is hoping his team can provide the necessary quality on the day. He said: "We will definitely have to be on top of our game but the whole management staff are confident of our players' ability as a squad, and in cup football you are never quite sure what might happen.

“Leeds were probably expecting to reach the final and they have showed they are very capable, winning all their group games. They also turned over a very good Bradford team 5-1 in the semi-final. We will have our work cut out, although we also beat Bradford by the same scoreline in the group stages, so it should be a close encounter.”

This year’s 20-man squad come from five different teams in the area, and include a mix of under-17 and under-16 players.

“Our aim is to try and have continuity each season and is the reason we have a good mix – the under-16s then become the senior players next season which helps in terms of the experience they gain this season.

"We are all very thankful of the support we have received from each junior club as they have seen that success will influence their own teams. One of the areas that we are continually looking at is to give players from all clubs the opportunity to play at this level.

"Oxenhope, Steeton, Long Lee, Silsden, and Keighley Shamrocks make up the squad, with 11 players coming from Oxenhope as they continue to succeed at all levels this season.”

“The biggest problem we have is that most players that come to us are obviously the better ones in their junior clubs, but when they are here they are with players that are of the same quality – this can be difficult to manage but what we have with this years’ crop of players is a really excellent team ethic, where we do not have any inflated egos and we have ensured that we all pull together for the good of the team and the district.

"They are not only representing themselves, they are representing the area.”

“What we hope for is that our lads play to their best ability and enjoy the occasion, and if they do, we are confident that we will produce the right result for the area.”

“We have a fantastic attitude running through the camp and they have fully deserved their place to play at Woodlesford. Leeds will be a strong outfit but we will be prepared correctly and be ready to go out and express ourselves with no fear and everything to play for.”