LISKEARD Athletic joint manager Darren Gilbert has promised to ‘attack’ their Good Friday clash at neighbours Dobwalls (11am) knowing that three points will secure the Blues their long-awaited promotion from South West Peninsula League Premier West as champions.

The Cornishmen moved to within a win of the title last night (Tuesday) as George Newton’s 89th minute header from Max Gilbert’s free-kick sunk Holsworthy 1-0 at Lux Park.

It means that after two gut-wrenching campaigns which have seen them edged out by AFC St Austell and then Newquay, the Blues could become a Western League club come Friday afternoon.

Reflecting on last night’s contest, Gilbert said: “I think we deserved it as we were on the attack for most of the game.

“Holsworthy, as they always do, worked their socks off so it was a tough, tough game, but in the end we got our just rewards.”

The Magpies are notoriously tough to break down, but Gilbert and fellow boss Wayne Gamble, who have the luxury of a highly-talented squad, stayed calm.

Gilbert continued: “The main thing was to stay patient, we didn’t need to panic, and if you don’t win it, make sure you don’t lose it.

“We threw the kitchen sink at them and brought on the likes of Ryan Richards and George who got the winner thanks to a great ball in by Max, and finally got there.”

Although Liskeard have a squad on paper which is far too good for Step Six, they have shown admirable qualities, as shown by a fine defensive record which has seen them concede just 11 times in 25 games.

Gilbert added: “The players have been brilliant and have a really good mentality about them.

“We didn’t play very well in the second half against Penzance on Saturday, but we bounced back last night which was the best we’ve played for a couple of games.

“We played some really good football and their goalkeeper’s made some really good saves.

“As for Friday, we’re not just going to sit in and we’ll go and attack Dobwalls. It’ll be a tough game and it’s a local derby which makes it harder, but we’ll try to stay calm and stay in the game.

“We know how good we are defensively having had 15 or 16 clean sheets so far this season, and it’s a big reason why we are where we are.”

Gilbert admits that strength in-depth is key and hopes to seal the deal at Lantoom Park.

He concluded: “Everybody is back and available at the moment and we have been able to pick from 16 every week which is what you want.

“Everyone wants to be involved in a team that’s pushing for honours and we deserve to be where we are. I feel that we’ve got stronger both as a team and as a management group, so we’re really looking forward to Friday and it’ll take care of itself.

“If we don’t get the job done we’ll move on to the next one, but the aim is three points and hopefully we’ll do what we’ve set out to do.”