COLIN Osborne is aiming to avenge last year's UK Open final heartache at the hands of Phil "The Power" Taylor this weekend.

The Wizard, from Stenson Fields, finished runner-up to Taylor in 2009.

This year, he is looking to go one step further in the "FA Cup of darts" at Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

"It will be my sixth time at the UK Open and I have been to the quarter-final, the semi-final and, last year, the final, where I was beaten by Phil," said Osborne.

"Hopefully, this time, I can go that one step further.

"It's one of the better venues and I've got some special memories there. I'm looking forward to it.

"I know I'm not the only one who is going there to win it – everyone else is too – but I am confident in my ability and I've been there before.

"I have matured as a player and I have shown I can cope with pressure situations, so I am quietly confident that I can go on a good run."

Osborne led Taylor 3-0 in what was his first major final in Bolton last year before the world number one reeled off nine successive legs on his way to an 11-6 victory.

The Derby-based player has obvious admiration for the 15-times world champion but does not fear him.

"Phil is a massive favourite in every competition he enters, because of who he is and what he has done," said Osborne.

"But I have beaten him before and beaten him in a final, which not too many people have done.

"So if I am drawn against him, I will respect him but you can't show him too much respect.

"Hopefully, I'll play him on Sunday night and it will be my turn this time!"

Taylor is fresh from a stunning victory in the Whyte & Mackay Premier League Darts final, in which he threw two nine-dart finishes.

"Phil just keeps going from strength to strength," Osborne added. "You've got to take your hat off to him.

"He's been at the top for 15 years and there's nothing he hasn't done in the game but he doesn't rest on his laurels.

"Just when the rest of us think we are getting closer to him, he goes up another notch, like he did in the Premier League Darts final, which was incredible.

"His pride and determination have to be admired.

"We are getting there, though. He's only human!

"Phil always says if you beat him once, that's lucky, but if you beat him twice, you are a good player.

"Well, I have got that under my belt and I've been doing this for five years now, so I feel well equipped to cope with anything that comes my way."

Osborne enters this year's UK Open tomorrow, at the third round stage, along with fellow Derby-based duo Jamie Caven and Andy Hamilton.

They all qualified in the top 32 of the PDC Order of Merit.

Caven, from Spondon, was knocked out by Osborne at the quarter-final stage last year.

Ilkeston's Matt Padgett finished inside the top 96 to qualify for the event and will be in first-round action when the competition gets under way today.

He begins his campaign against John Quantock, from York.

Darren Sullivan, from Loscoe, is one of 32 amateur qualifiers and he faces Hampshire qualifier Tony Hutchinson in the opening round.

Sullivan booked his ticket to Bolton by winning a qualifying event at Rileys in Burton earlier in the year.

Owen Coyle, manager of Premier League football team Bolton Wanderers, who play at the Reebok Stadium, has thrown his support behind the event,

"I absolutely love darts," he said. "It's a really good, entertaining night out.

"I'll be trying to get along and I've mentioned to the players and staff that they want to get along too because it's a fantastic tournament."

The event will be televised live on Sky Sports.