ON a Baltic Tuesday night, Winsford United welcomed local rivals Northwich Victoria to the Barton Stadium for their Mid Cheshire Senior Cup semi-final clash.

A tense opening 15 minutes followed with neither side able to create any goal scoring opportunities.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, forcing Ryan Hamer into a sharp save down to his left.

From the resulting corner Hamer was forced into action again with a superb reflex save.

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Blues were able to clear the danger and counter-attack themselves through Sam Madeley, but his curling effort went just wide.

Minutes later Oliver McDonough found Madeley inside the area but he was unable to get any power on his effort to trouble the Northwich goalkeeper.

It was almost third time lucky for Winsford’s number nine, but his overhead kick from the edge of the box was well saved.

On the half hour the hosts finally took advantage of their possession with Danny Boden breaking the deadlock.

A delightful flick around the corner from Joe Duckworth put Boden in on goal and he made no mistake finding the far corner to send the hosts into the break 1-0 ahead.

After a dominant first half performance 1-0 is always a precarious scoreline, but that lead was extended early in the second half. Madeley latched onto a Duckworth cut-back to fire his effort into the top corner.

As the game entered the closing stages Northwich pushed for a goal that would get them back into the game but Blues caught Vics on the counter-attack.

Duckworth was set free down the line and he provided his third assist of the game. His cross found McDonough who calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper to cap off an excellent team performance.

Blues will face Barnton in the final, but they will now turn their attention back to league action as they welcome the league leaders Skelmersdale to the Barton Stadium on Saturday afternoon.