HOCKEY Formby's Cup double

HOCKEY

BY BILL COLWILL

Cup fever will strike Formby tomorrow in a big way. First Hightown, favourites to win the AEWHA Centenary Cup, will be playing Chelmsford in a quarter-final game at 12.30 and then, at 2.30, Formby will follow as they entertain the HA Cup holders, Teddington, in this year's semi- final.

Hightown have a splendid blend of youth and experience, lining up with seven from the current England and England Under 21 squads, plus Maggie Souvaye, the England coach.

Hightown, who have already reclaimed the Indoor Cup from Slough and are second behind their great southern rivals in the Premier Division of the National League, look likely to account for Chelmsford, who are already relegated to the First Division.

On paper, Teddington, who last weekend won the National League and are the Cup holders, should cruise to their fourth successive final but the Middlesex club will be without their leading front runner, Peter Gibbins, who is fighting to regain fitness after a hamstring injury in time for next weekend's European Cup winners event in Sardinia.

Formby, after a brief flirtation with the National League for one season, have settled back in the Northern League where they have finished third and this season have had a remarkable Cup run with the scalps of three National League clubs in their six games, with Phil Capper having collected 12 goals.

Guildford, at home to Isca, should go through but they will need Ian Jennings on better form at penalty corners than last week when he failed from 12.