Ford excited by Knights cup final

York City Knights head coach James Ford has spoken about his excitement at the prospect of his team winning the iPro Sport Cup this weekend at Blackpool.

Ford’s side come into this cup final on the back of a 34-6 victory over Newcastle Thunder last week, and the head coach expressed his delight at the performance.

“I was really please, I saw a lot of positive signs. Our defensive effort was great,” he said.

“We kicked the ball a lot better and worked really hard for one another. They were the qualities that were outstanding to me at the start of the season so it was pleasing to see them in abundance up in Newcastle. 

“Newcastle are a good team and have scored some points against other teams so to limit them to one try was a good achievement. In previous weeks we’re probably not been quite on the pulse in taking opportunities when they have arisen but this week we were and that was really pleasing.”

Whenever a cup final comes up in any sporting calendar, you will usually see a coach or manager speak of it being ‘just another game’, but this is not the case for Ford and his team this weekend.

“I think it’s pretty cliched for coaches to say it’s just another game but it’s not; it’s a final,” he said.

“The players have worked really hard to get there and they deserve the opportunity to compete for that trophy. We’re all excited, the players and the coaches, but when it comes to game day we’ll just focus on the little things in our performances that has seen us be pretty successful thus far.

“Keighley have got some good players and their pride will be dented after last week’s defeat. We shouldn’t take too much away from London Skolars, they are a good team, and they’ve got some good players. Every side that goes there will have their hands full. They tested us at our place and I’m thankful we didn’t have to play them away.

“Keighley will want to respond this week and if they beat us, then last week’s performance against London will be forgotten.”