It's all been said in the run up to this week's cup final, hasn't it? So what can be added that hasn't already been uttered far more vociferously and eloquently by others? But you know Webmaster by now! Why use one word when you have a whole dictionary and thesaurus to choose from?

From the Dennyfield to Nethermoor is five miles by road and two miles by low flying crow. In footballing terms the distance is arguably light years. And yet come Wednesday evening Thackley will be taking their place at Valley Parade on merit. They have shown throughout this cup run that they need fear no opposition.

Guiseley are currently pushing hard for a play off spot in the First Division North of the Blue Square Conference. Success could be the springboard to their second successive promotion. However, after a flying start to the season their performances have tailed off over recent weeks, and from being true front-runners they are now struggling to keep up the momentum which, they hope, will lead to a place in the play-offs. A win at Worcester last Saturday kept them in the frame but they still have a great deal to do.

So how will they approach Wednesday's final? Given the greater prize offered by promotion to the Conference, not to mention the financial reward from the play-off matches, there must be a temptation to look at the level of the opposition and to decide not to risk key players in a match which the statistics say that they should win easily. Guiseley would take that approach at their peril although it is unlikely that they would take it anyway. They are professionals and will not show disrespect either to the competition or to their opponents in the final. We can expect a strong Guiseley team to take the field at Valley Parade.

For their part the Dennyboys are starting to approach something near full strength. Nicky Matthews has come through two reserve team matches – playing for 45 minutes in each of them - and just under half of a first-team game, all without feeling any recurrence of his injury. Luke Hudson is on the verge of a surprise return following his broken (now hopefully mended!) leg. Whether he will be fit for Wednesday’s encounter remains to be seen. Ross Daly returns following suspension. Barring any late injuries or work-enforced absences, Thackley are also likely to field their strongest team.

Both sides have suffered inconsistent form over the past few weeks. Guiseley’s recent blips are mentioned above. The Dennyfaithful are well aware of Thackley’s recent run of results, including the last three matches – all drawn against teams which they would normally, on the basis of league positions, expect to beat - and only two wins from their last eight matches.

But this is a cup tie and the normal league form-book goes out of the window!

On Wednesday we can expect to be outnumbered by the Guiseley fans. They have arranged a supporters’ bus to take some of their fans down to Valley Parade (they do, after all, have further to travel!). Other supporters, of both clubs, will travel by car or public transport. The vast stands of Valley Parade are likely to dwarf the “crowd” but the enthusiasm of those attending will match any other event at the stadium this season.

The stands will echo to the strains of the two sets of supporters. It’s up to the Thackley followers to ensure that they are not out-shoutedor out-sung. In this match, more than ever, it is important that our warriors out on the pitch know that we are there for them. If they hear us on the terraces, they will respond on the field! It really will, in this Cooperative cup final, pay dividends.

As indicated above, there is a gulf of difference between the two clubs in terms of league standing. Can the Dennyboys really overcome this gulf? If you have your doubts, why not ask Harrogate Railway, Garforth Town and Goole Town? These clubs from higher in the pyramid were all dispatched with relative ease on the day.

And that’s what it boils down to – performance, and confidence, on the day.

So come Wednesday, make sure that you’re down there at Valley Parade singing and shouting for our heroes!

Come on Thackley! Come on the Dennyboys!

See you (and hear you?) there!