LITTLE Tempest United aim to continue their proud tradition of beating bigger clubs in the final of the Hospital Cup tonight.

The amateurs of Division One of the West Lancashire League take on the semi-professionals and Cup holders Ramsbottom United, who have just finished in eighth place in North West Counties League Division One, at the Reebok Stadium, kick off 7pm.

The village side, based in Chew Moor, Lostock, have already claimed the scalp of Ramsbottom's close rivals Atherton LR, beating them 2-1 after having a man sent off.

It will be Tempest's third appearance in the Hospital Cup final. In 1998, they beat Daisy Hill, who are now in North West Counties Division Two and two years later repeated their giant-killing act, humbling Manchester Premier League side Breightmet United.

Tempest will be looking to leading scorer Danny Tyrer, who has 18 league and cup goals, for inspiration as well as manager Steve Ford's two sons Jonathan, aged 22, the leading goal-scorer in the English University League, and Michael, aged 24.

Steve Ford said he was hopeful of getting a result against the Rams.

He said: "It is definitely a David and Goliath contest. They are semi-professional and have their own stadium in the Riverside, while we are a village team of amateurs.

"But we are a vibrant family club, and we are hoping as many people as possible will turn up and pay £3 to watch the game on Friday.

"Because we are a small club, we believe in total football.

"We don't crash the ball from one end to the other - we just play football. If we can just get it right, it can be really effective. Really, we took Atherton LR apart, bearing in mind we were reduced to 10 men."

Tempest will have their work cut out to repeat that impressive result against Atherton as the Rams bid to finish their season in style.

The Rams go into the game as favourites to retain the title but manager Lee Sculpher says his side must justify that tag to ensure Tempest do not pull off a second shock result in successive rounds.

"We played them in pre-season but they will have changed their side a bit since then and we will treat them with respect," he said.

"We know we will go into the game as favourites and we will have to handle that."

Sculpher has a perfect record in the competition, having won it in his first season at the club last season and being one game away from repeating the feat this term.

Sculpher is pinning his hopes on striker Ryan Moore playing a leading role and winger Steve Mainwaring providing him with the ammunition. And he is hoping the people of the town will get behind his side on their big night.

He added: "Our average gate is between 150 and 180, so hopefully they will all make the trip and few more will turn up as well to enjoy the occasion.

"Last season there were about 300 in the ground and it made for a great night."