WIRRAL have been thrown a surprise Thwaites Cheshire Cup lifeline after tournament committee members elected to have them reinstated for the final on Sunday, April 11.

Their opponents at Caldy will be Chester who, like themselves, have never won the county cup before.

Wirral, after a quarter final bye when Birkenhead Park and Winnington Park were axed from the competition for not playing on time, actually lost their semi-final at Macclesfield who unsuccessful ly requested a change of date for the final.

They have a National Three North League game at New Brighton on the Saturday which takes priority over the cup and were not prepared to ask their play-ers to turn out twice in 24 hours.

It's not difficult to understand Macclesfield's frustration over the issue in a competition beset by problems all season. They had been hoping to take the cup for a third successive year.

It is a big bonus for Wirral who have readily accepted the opportunity to figure in a clash which should attract a big attendance to Paton Field.

Chester will step out as favourites. They play in North One League which is two phases above Wirral who are in South Lancashire/Cheshire One.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity of appearing in the final and have readily accepted the invitation," said Wirral spokesman Dave Van Der Zwan.

"It will be a big occasion for us and we believe we can cause a surprise".

Certainly in the past Wirral have done well against higher rated opponents and were by no means disgraced against Macclesfield.

The final appearance could well give them a place in next season's National Knockout Cup which would mean them dropping out of the lesser rated Intermediate Cup competition.