FEAST FOR STEPHEN THIS XMAS

Cockcroft eyes a festive treat

STEPHEN COCKCROFT admits he’d relish a crack at Christmas morning glory in the Steel Cup – but knows the East must first earn the right in tomorrow’s showdown with St James’ Swifts.

The two sides clash at Seaview (7.45pm kick-off ) in the semi-final of the much-coveted competition after the Swifts won a penalty shootout victory over Newington at the weekend, the win finally ending their long-running saga with the holders after the first staging of the quarter-final was abandoned last month.

While Damien Mcstravick’s men were grinding out the result at Celtic Park, the East were rattling in the goals, with Cockcroft instrumental once again as he set up two and scored one in a 5-1 rout of Ards Rangers at Inverary Avenue.

And now, after weeks of uncertainty, all eyes turn to Seaview, with the prize a place in the Christmas Day showpiece where Sirocco lie in wait.

The East have plenty of previous in the Steel Cup having lifted the trophy on two occasions, the first in the winter of 1954 and the second back in 1992, a record surpassed in the Amateur League by just one team, three-times winners Dunmurry Rec.

It’s a competition steeped in history and tradition, of course, and the significance of it all is not lost on Cockcroft.

He understands it’s a big deal for everyone associated with the East, and is determined to deliver a day out for the club and their supporters.

“We can’t wait for it, it’s been a bit of a long process, not knowing who we are playing or when we are playing,” said the 24-year-old former Crusaders winger.

“But now we know, we’re certainly prepared for it. There’s plenty of competition for places at our club and that is healthy and it’s bringing the best out of people.

“The boys are playing well and we’re all looking forward to Wednesday night.

“This is the furthest I have ever got in it but I think there are a few boys in the team who have won it already, I think Gary Irwin has won it twice, so he can help us going forward to Wednesday.

“But for the likes of myself, I’m really looking forward to it, I’ve never got this far, I don’t think I’ve ever got past the first couple of rounds in it. So it’s a big occasion for the club and a lot of people from the community will come and watch and we want to do them proud and we feel like we deserve a chance to play in a Christmas Day final.”

With 10 goals so far and double that in assists, Cockcroft (right) has been the East’s star man this season, their main source of creativity, with Saturday’s performance just the latest in a string of impressive displays.

He admits he’s playing with a lot of confidence at the minute, and hopes to demonstrate on the big stage just why he has earned a reputation as the East’s main dangerman alongside top goalscorer Danny Mckee.

“I’m happy with my own form and the team’s form going into Wednesday night,” he said, speaking to Match On Tuesday over the weekend.

“We’ll train well on Monday night and we’ll work on a few things, and we’ve had them watched as well so we know what they are good at.

“They play some good stuff and we’re expecting to face a big, strong side too. I don’t think they have too many players under six foot, so they are going to be big and strong and physical, so we know in that aspect of the game they are very good. “But if we get it down and play well, and get it wide, we can cause them problems, and with Danny Mckee up front, we will cause them problems in behind as well. We’ve tightened up at the back as well, we’ve been pretty good defensively, and we’re certainly a lot fitter and stronger than we were last year.”

The hotly-anticipated tie takes Cockcroft back to the venue where he started his career, having cut his teeth as a youngster in the Irish League with Crusaders.

And he reckons the excellent surface at Seaview will be conducive to a good footballing spectacle from both teams, with Cockcroft identifying his old team-mate from his Ards days, Mark Clarke, as one they will have to watch.

“Playing on a good flat pitch suits us much better,” said the East Belfast ace.

“On Saturday against Ards Rangers, the pitch wasn’t great and the conditions weren’t great.

“It was bobbly, mistakes were happening and there were bad touches, but on a flat surface, we tend to play some really good stuff.

“So I think it will suit us down to the ground but I think it will suit them too, they are a good football side.

“And they have some quality players in there. I played with Mark Clarke and he’s a good player, likes to get the ball down and get stuck in, so it’s set up for a great game.”