JAMES FORD has expressed his delight at York City Knights being just one game away from a cup final at Wembley Stadium.

York progressed past London Broncos in the Betfred Challenge Cup after a 14-2 win at The Rock, thus securing both a third-round tie with Wigan Warriors next week and a spot in the semi-finals of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup.

The Knights will face either Featherstone Rovers, Swinton Lions or Widnes Vikings for a place in the final - played before the Challenge Cup decider, on the same day - with the draw made in May.

“I’m pleased to be in the next round of the Challenge Cup and I’m pleased to be in the 1895 Cup semi-finals, one game away from competing to win a trophy at Wembley,” said York head coach Ford.

“That would be great for players, supporters, sponsors and club in general. If we’re good enough to get there and compete for it, it would be a great day.

“We’re a good side and we’ll fancy our chances against anybody, so whoever we get drawn against and wherever it is, we’ll go into the game confident and give it our best shot.”

As well as putting York on the verge of a cup final, the 2021 season’s Challenge Cup matches have also provided ideal preparation for clubs ahead of the start of the Betfred Championship this weekend.

The Knights could hardly have been given a tougher first assignment as they host promotion favourites Toulouse Olympique on Saturday (4.30pm).

“They’ve both been really physical,” said Ford on the start to the year. “People were moaning about contact, but you wouldn’t have thought that we’ve not played for a year having watched Sheffield and London ripping into us. We’ve been tested defensively as well.

“Toulouse are an absolute top-class side and we’ll need to play better than we did in these two games. If we do, we give ourselves a real good opportunity.”