IT'S a dress rehearsal for the Presidents Cup final tonight when Radcliffe Borough and FC United face off in the first of four clashes before the season ends in May.

The two sides meet in the league twice, together with two big cup clashes and Radcliffe director of football Peter Coyne is hoping his side can strike an early blow on the rebel Reds.

"We can't wait for it," said Coyne. "We have done well in the cups this season and we are looking forward to playing FC tonight.

"We are disappointed that we lost on Saturday, so playing in a semi-final against FC United in front of a big crowd is just what we need.

"We know how they play, and they know how we play. Hopefully we will get some luck and the run off the ball and we might get into another final."

Boro will be without the cup-tied Griff Jones, an ill Stephen Hill and injured Andy Scott for the clash.

Nicky Platt is still sidelined for the Reds after undergoing a hernia operation, but former Boro midfielder Simon Carden is available again after serving a one-game ban.