SURVIVAL in Cheshire League’s second tier is more important to Egerton boss Steve Hardy than cup glory, writes Matt Turner.

Yellows will reserve a place in the Northern Cup final if they can beat Grange Sports tomorrow, Saturday, kick off midday.

However a date with back-markers Tarporley later this month is uppermost in the manager’s mind.

A victory then would be a third in five league games since his appointment in mid-March, matching the tally of his predecessors in the previous 15 matches.

“If we can pick up some silverware that would be great,” he said.

“But if you’re asking whether I’d sacrifice three points [against Tarporley] to win a trophy the answer is ‘no’.

“The objective when I came in was to remain in this division, and a win in our final game will do that. It’s so important we don’t drop down a level.

“We want to stay up, and then build on it next season.”

After finishing fourth last term, Egerton have endured a disappointing campaign.

They crashed to the foot of the table following a 5-0 defeat at Daten that prompted the departure of management duo Graham Egerton and Ben Smith.

Hardy, along with assistant Mike McDonald, were appointed the following week.

Wins against Grappenhall and Middlewich propelled them up the standings, although losses to promotion-chasing Wythenshawe and Altrincham reserves – to whom they lost on Saturday – leaves them with work to do.

“The lads were didn’t seem well-organised before we arrived so we’ve changed formation,” said Hardy.

“We’ve done some hard training sessions with them, and that’s starting to show on the pitch.

“The players have responded brilliantly; they know Mike and I have coached at a higher level and they’ve listened to what we’ve told them.

“We’ve not had that much time, but we’ve made a promising start and it’s now all about clearing that next hurdle of staving off relegation.”

Before that clash with Tarporley is a last-four encounter with Grange, who play in the Warrington and District League’s second tier.

“I don’t know that much about them but I’m told they’re a physical side so we’ll have to be up for a scrap,” said Hardy.

“I’m expecting to have a few players back that have been missing recently, and they will help us be prepared for that battle."