SKIPPER Richard Dempster heads into a crunch weekend for Farnworth Social Circle confident his side can pull off back-to-back victories from two tough games.

First up tomorrow is a derby clash with Farnworth at Lavender Road before a home Hamer Cup last-eight tie against in-form Horwich RMI 24 hours later.

There is no doubt it is a huge weekend for Circle as they look to make inroads at the top of the Premiership Division and progress towards a third successive Hamer Cup final.

But Dempster insists his side are full of belief despite sitting slightly off the pace in the top flight having suffered three defeats from their seven games to date.

And having already won at neighbours Farnworth once this week, in their T20 clash on Tuesday, he says they have a psychological edge ahead of tomorrow’s repeat.

Dempster told The Bolton News: “They had virtually a full-strength side out on Tuesday and we were missing a couple of key men but we went there and got a class result – it was massive for us.

“Before that game, on form, many would have had Farnworth favourites so that gives us a boost going into this weekend’s return trip. We expect to have Jay Chhana back after a knock and he has been doing well with the wickets suiting him so far.

“We are not too disappointed with our start even though we have lost three games. They have all been down to the wire whereas the ones we have won have been comfortable.

“We know we can beat anyone on our day.”

With Chhana and Chris Barrow top of the bowling and batting averages respectively, Circle have form players and they will hope both shine against Farnworth and then at home to Horwich.

Dempster admits Sunday is equally as big after they lost the last two Hamer Cup finals – to Walkden and Westhoughton – after not being in the showpiece final for 28 years prior to 2016.

He says the players are all determined to make it third-time lucky.

But they first have to despatch a Horwich side many are tipping for the cup this season.

Dempster added: “They have some big hitters high up the order but we are confident we can do well against them.

“They have started this season strongly but we are not playing badly either.

“We have Chris Barrow batting unbelievably well and have also put in some good bowling displays.

“We are all desperate to do well in the Hamer Cup after losing two in a row in the final and hopefully we can make it third-time lucky.”