CASTROL Social will face Runcorn Town in the final of the Pyke Cup on Good Friday.
Runcorn beat holders Poulton Victoria 2-1 to book their place in the Rivacre Park showdown.
In Saturday’s league action, Castrol continued their rejuvenation as they followed up a 3-0 midweek eclipse of Ashville with a 2-2 stalemate against form side Maghull. Steve Pinnington and Simon Thelwell netted for the Oilmen.
Ellesmere Port inflicted yet more damage on Ashville. The 2-0 win for Port – their eighth of the season – came courtesy of goals from Matt Raithe and Lennox Beddows and pushed the Wallasey club one step closer to ending their long association with the top flight.
With Poulton Victoria Reserves having more or less clinched the Division Two title, the race for the runners-up spot – and possible promotion to Division One – intensified as third-placed Capenhurst Villa beat New Brighton Reserves 3-0 with Steve Sailes, Ryan Nicholl and Tom McGill on target.
Grange Athletic continued their quiet ascent by trouncing Ashville Reserves 7-0. Chris Yew and Ian Forster weighed in with doubles, while further efforts from Craig Webb, Nick Cushing and Dave Jackson completed the scoreline.
Sixth-placed Grange currently trail Cape by 12 points but have six games in hand on their neighbours.
Jimmy Hilditch bagged a fine hat trick in Willaston’s superb 6-2 victory at Chester Nomads. Dave Forbes (2) and Richie Wainright were the other marksmen.
In Division Three, Lee Hammond (2) and Phil Sailes scored for Capenhurst Villa Reserves at Fairfield Athletic Reserves but it was the hosts who profited, winning 5-3.
