Guildhall Cup semis finish in upsets

The underdogs came out on top in both semi-finals of the Guildhall Cup.
Jonny 
Timbrell celebrates scoring for ChippingJonny 
Timbrell celebrates scoring for Chipping
Jonny Timbrell celebrates scoring for Chipping

In the morning kick-off at Croston, Bolton United – currently fifth in the Mid Lancs Premier Division – defeated Premier League leaders Southport and Ainsdale Amateurs 1-0 in a keenly contested game.

Bolton scored early in the first half, against the run of play, with a well taken goal by Nadir Patel.

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Despite a lot of Southport pressure, Bolton held out and were grateful to their goalkeeper for two outstanding saves in the second half and a superb rearguard display.

As Southport pushed for an equaliser, Bolton almost sneaked a second goal when their centre-forward rounded the keeper but shot wide.

In the second semi-final, in the evening kick-off at the Sir Tom Finney Stadium in Bamber Bridge, First Division Chipping caused a major upset by defeating Premier Division outfit Preston Wanderers on penalties.

Preston took the lead early in the second half through a superb strike by Bailey Barbour from outside the area.

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At this point most observers thought that Preston would go on to win the game.

However Chipping had other ideas and fought back to equalise through a well taken goal by Jonny Timbrell from the edge of the area.

The game finished 1-1 at the end of normal time and 30 minutes of extra time could not separate the two teams.

In a tense shootout, Chipping held their nerve and triumphed 4 – 2 on penalties.

Bolton and Chipping will now meet in the final to be played at the Lancashire FA County Ground in Leyland on Friday, April 29 (7.30pm).

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