Holker Old Boys U13s 3 Walshaw Juniors u13s 2

HOLKER Old Boys dug deep to clear their pitch of snow and sweep aside Walshaw to reach the Lancashire FA Cup final.

Parents, players and supporters from both sides rallied round to clear two centimetres of snow from the Rakesmoor Lane surface from early in the morning, after the visitors had stayed in Barrow overnight.

A 9.30am pitch inspection saw both sides agree to clear the surface and by 12.30pm – after a remarkable effort – it was clear and marked out, allowing kick off at 1.30pm, two hours later than scheduled.

Both teams took to the pitch in temperatures just above freezing and with a flutter of sleet and snow in the in the air.

Despite the conditions – and the exertions in clearing the pitch – they started at pace, with end-to-end football, attack and counter attack.

Holker and Walshaw both played slick, pass and move football, with Charley Thompson probing up front for the hosts and Reece Cresswell and Harvey Cooper solid at the back.

With 12 minutes left before half-time Walshaw made the breakthrough when the ball fell to their striker all alone in the box and his low shot found the far right of the Holker net for a 1-0 lead at the break.

The second half found Holker now playing up the slope.

The weather conditions were worsening, with heavy sleet and icy rain falling, but the Stags produced a masterclass in counter attacking football.

The defence broke down Walshaw attacks and released Thompson to round the keeper and make it 1-1. James Tealan then rounded off off a five-man move for 2-1 before Thompson did what he does best by placing a shot past the outstretched keeper for a 3-1 advantage.

After the sudden reversal of fortunes, Walshaw now threw everything at their hosts for the remaining 12 minutes.

They pulled a goal back with 10 minutes left, but Cresswell – who led by example on the day – and Alfie Thorpe made outstanding tackles to prevent them equalising.

Walshaw did get the ball in the back of the net, but the striker had strayed offside and goal was disallowed.

When the referee finally blew his whistle, both teams had given their all and were applauded off the pitch, with neither having anything left.

The Holker coaches and staff thanked the Barrow Celtic, Hawcoat Park and Furness Cavaliers parents and coaches who turned out, along with all the other parents to clear the pitch and make for a memorable day.

The final will be played in April, with Holker’s opponents still to be decided as the line-up for the second semi-final has not been confirmed.