Birkby: 'I've waited for this since I was 15!'

An 80th-minute header from Kevin Edgar was enough to shake off plucky Manchester League side Walshaw Sports, who were reduced to 10 men on 72 minutes, at Chorley’s Victory Park ground last night.

>> Click here to see a full gallery of Steve Taylor's pictures from the match

In front of a healthy crowd, Edgar’s back post header will mean Hesketh Bank will face either Burscough Richmond or Blackpool Wren Rovers in the final on May 8.

Birkby said: “I’ve waited since I was 15-years-old to get to the Lancs Cup final and we’ve finally done it.

“It was a very tough game, tough opponents, what you’d expect from a Manchester team. Our lads were just better on the night.”

Hesketh Bank coach James Smith hailed the performance of their Bury-based opponents - and his matchwinner - on a tense night that looked destined to be decided by penalties until Edgar’s intervention.

“Full respect to Walshaw Sports, they’re a great team they have with a great following,” he said.

“For me second half it was always going to be the next goal winner. Kevin doesn’t get many with his head and fair play to Kev tonight, he’s had a fantastic performance.

“It’s our 100-year anniversary and it’s a fantastic achievement for the club.”

All eyes now turn to next week’s other semi-final to see who they will line up against in the final – and the double act will be there to suss out their potential opponents.

“Yes, we’ll certainly be there - Chris Clandon, chairman of Burscough Richmond, is a good friend of mine and we know Anthony Murt really well.”

The West Lancashire League has historically dominated the LFA Shield with only FC St Helens and Gregorians breaking the monopoly of West Lancs victories since 2000.

Blackpool Wren Rovers have won it twice in 2009-10 and 2015-16 while Burscough Richmond’s only success was in 2016-17.

• Burscough Richmond v Blackpool Wren Rovers, Tuesday April 4, Chorley FC, KO 7.30pm