Tricorn 2 General Chemicals 3

THIS Runcorn Saturday Cup semi-final fixture started, as expected, with some hard tackling from both sides, being a local derby it was not for the faint hearted.

Tricorn battled well with Lunt playing well in midfield and Pryor putting himself around in their attack.

It was, however, the power and skill of the Chemics that showed through as they took the lead.

Firstly, a freekick by Kev Patterson sailed into the Tricorn net, with Dewhurst hindering the keeper.

Then, before half time, Russel Whitehead hammered a second freekick into the goal, giving the West Cheshire team a 2-0 advantage at the interval.

Chemics speedy wide man, Mick Smith, gave Ned Nethercot all sorts of problems. Nethercot was substituted before the break and sadly Smith limped off with an injury to be replaced by Karl Thomas.

Chemics' defence, superbly marshalled by man of the match, Mark Robinson, looked impregnable, until a miskick by keeper Blair allowed Tricorn to pull one back.

Within five minutes, Chemics had again increased their lead with a brave diving header by Patterson, scoring at the near post.

But Chemics eased off and allowed Tricorn to pull yet another goal back before the game ended with the underdogs having given a very good account of themselves.

General Chemicals will now face Tranny in the final tie. On Saturday, Chems face Heswall at Pavilions in division one of the West Cheshire League (kick-off 2.30pm).

The Chemics £100 weekly draw winner was Wesley Siner.