Cheshire FA Youth will contest the final of the FA County Youth Cup for the first time in 30 years this weekend.
Dave Fernyhough’s squad includes a number of players on Chester FC’s books such as Ben Greenop, Jacob Evans, Joe Herbert and Sam Hughes.
The last time Cheshire reached the final was in 1984 when the county lifted the trophy, which was first contested 71 years ago.
Fernyhough’s side, who are unbeaten this season, will face Middlesex in the final at The Hive, the home of Vanarama Conference club Barnet, on Sunday (2pm).
Cheshire’s road to the final began in the first round with a 3-2 win at home to West Riding.
Northumberland were defeated 4-3 in the next round, East Riding were beaten 1-0 in round three and a 4-1 win at home to Worcestershire in the fourth round set up a semi-final with Liverpoool at Walton Hall Park.
Left winger Ryan Edwards gave Cheshire the lead after good work from Evans in the first-half but the hosts drew level midway through the second period.
Liverpool had a man sent-off as the game finished level at the end of normal time and neither side could find a breakthrough in extra time despite chances for both teams.
That meant penalties would be needed to decide the tie and 17-year-old keeper Harry Mates, making his first appearance in the competition, proved the hero, making two fantastic saves to book Cheshire a place in this weekend’s final.
Middlesex came through four games to reach the final. Entering the cup at the second round stage, they beat Somerset at home 5-0 before heading up to Wiltshire where they triumphed 2-1.
It was the same scoreline in their other two ties, beating Durham at Northwood and then Lancashire in the semi-final away in Leyland.
