IT'S a decade since Darren Emmett tasted cup glory, courtesy of the sweetest strike of his career.

And tonight he will be looking for a repeat of the winning goal that secured the North West Counties League Challenge Cup for Rossendale United in 1994.

Brent Peters was the victorious manager when Emmett's effort gave them a 1-0 success over St Helens Town at Bury's Gigg Lane.

And Peters is in charge of Emmett again as the pair look to mirror that triumph of 10 years ago when Bacup Borough face Newcastle Town in tonight's final at Southport.

"All I'm hoping for is that we perform and I'll be happy," said Emmett. "But if I score another 35-yard volley and we win that will be even better!"

The mists of time seem to have obscured the jovial Scouser's visions into the past -- his winning goal was actually a scrambled effort that barely crossed the line.

But if his goal was forgettable, then it's even more difficult for Emmett to remember much about the occasion, especially the post-match celebrations.

He said: "It wasn't much of a game because both teams were a bit nervous.

"I remember going down on the coach and having a good laugh, which we always have playing in Brent's teams.

"It was a professional build-up but after it we all went out and got slaughtered, so don't ask me to remember anything after that."

If the mood in the Bacup camp this week is anything to go by, the good times are set to roll again.

"There's a real buzz around the place," said Emmett. "Even though we only drew with Salford on Saturday, everyone was playing for places for the final.

"For most teams in the league the season's over in January so it's nice to still be involved in something and it's a nice one to win.

"The main thing is that we go out and perform.

"I can take being beaten but not if we've gone to a cup final and got stage-fright, that puts a real downer on it."

In Emmett and Lee Wilkinson, both semi-final scorers against Warrington Town, Bacup have two players with the ability to do this.

Both joined from Chorley earlier this season and have displayed the sharpness that players pick up at a higher level.

Emmett said: "I've found it quite easy because I've had more space and time on the ball than you get in the UniBond League.

"I've just been carrying niggling injuries that have stopped me being 100 per cent.

"But we have youth and experience at Bacup and we've had some good results going into the final."

Kick off at Haig Avenue tonight is 7.45pm.