WAYNE Goodison, 1874 Northwich’s co-manager, believes that a victory in the Macron Cup final can change the way his side look back on their season.

They meet City of Liverpool, who are seeking a double after claiming the North West Counties League’s Premier Division title, in the showpiece on Saturday.

And thinks winning a piece of silverware can be transformative.

“Last year we limped to the end,” he told the Guardian.

“That wasn’t our fault, but the schedule was demanding because we had so many games to fit in.

“From a mental point of view, if we can finish on a high by winning a final then that’s a feeling we can carry over.

“It would be massive for us.”

1874 enter the weekend buoyed by back-to-back wins against Whitchurch and Runcorn Town without conceding a goal.

Maximum points from those games put behind them the disappointment of a derby defeat against landlords Winsford United on Easter Monday and secured with it a top 10 finish.

Goodison admitted that is below expectation, which is why their next match is so significant.

He added: “We’re disappointed at how our league campaign has panned out.

“From a player’s point of view, you want to in some way make up for that by winning something.

“In terms of knockout competitions, this is the biggest one we can win after the FA Vase because every team [in our league] enters.”

1874 eliminated Chadderton (4-3), AFC Blackpool (5-0), Abbey Hey (4-1) and Barnoldswick (3-2) to reach the semi-finals stage.

They then put seven goals without reply past Congleton Town over two games to reach the final.

Meanwhile their opponents on Saturday travel to Altrincham buoyed by being promoted in dramatic circumstances last weekend.

A 1-0 defeat against Bootle, their rivals for top spot, at Easter saw the Bucks start the final round in first place.

However their draw with Northwich Victoria, coupled with a victory for City of Liverpool at Irlam, saw the teams swap places again.

The Purps ran out 6-3 victors against 1874 on the season’s opening day back in August before a 1-1 draw in the return before Christmas.

Goodison said: “They know we’re a good side and on that day we were better than them.

“If we’re at our best, then we can cause them problems.

“We can take a lot from how we played in the second game, both positive and negative, and I think we’ve improved since.

“They punished us for a defensive mistake, which is a reminder of their potency in attack.

“It’s also true to say that a cup final is a game on its own and what has happened previously perhaps isn’t so much of a factor.

“Whoever adjusts better to the occasion, and performs as close to their ceiling as possible, will likely come out on top.”