ULVERSTON Rangers will hope to use their recent cup run as a catalyst to move up the league table.

Rangers ended January on a high, defeating Hesketh Bank 3-2 to book their place in the semi-finals of the West Lancashire League Presidents Cup.

But the club, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has struggled in Division One this season.

The side, which sits third from bottom in the league, with only five wins from 18 league games, will travel to Milnthorpe Corinthians on Saturday.

While the Corinthians are three places and four points higher than Ulverston in the league, they are yet to win at home during the current campaign, and have picked up most of their 20 points on the road.

“Our major problem in the league is that we have drawn too many games,” said club secretary Phil Grant.

“We have been playing some decent football at times, but it has been a case of dropping too many points from winning positions.”

Grant said Ulverston will have almost a fully fit squad to pick from on Saturday, but admitted that injuries and suspensions had taken their toll at times during the season.

“Perhaps the reason we haven’t won enough games has been down to a lack of consistency, in terms of being able to field the same team week, in week out,” he said.

“It hasn’t been easy to find a settled team.”

Nevertheless, Grant said there is a happy camp at Ulverston, where players are enjoying their football.

“There are a lot of positives,” he said. “We won our Presidents Cup quarter final despite playing with 10 men for 70 minutes.

“I think we are scoring more goals than we did last season. We haven’t been quite as watertight at the back this season, but we’re working hard and showing signs of improvement all the time.”

Ulverston, led by recently appointed manager Phil Dixon, are expecting a tough game against Milnthorpe.

Grant added: “It is an important game for us on Saturday. Minthorpe will be a decent side and they have a few games in hand on us, but it will be a good test and one we are looking forward to.”

Ulverston were founded in 1945, and club officials are planning to mark the 75th anniversary.

“The club has a great history and this is an important landmark,” said Grant.

He added said a reunion was in the pipeline, while next season’s kit design would acknowledge the anniversary.

Ulverston will face old rivals Askam in the semi-finals of the Presidents cup.