ATHERTON Town CC's Anfield heroes are now heading for Cardiff!

Town beat Redcar Working Men's Club on penalties at the home of Liverpool FC to book a place in the national final of the Carlsberg Pub Cup.

They will now play a team from Sheffield at the famous Millennium Stadium on June 1 - the winners going on to play in Europe.

Being drawn to use the home dressing room at Liverpool FC's Anfield proved to be a lucky omen for Atherton as they went on to win a penalty shoot-out.

This was the tenth tie played in a fantastic cup run for manager Shaun Lynch and his team but it was a real nailbiter against the team which won the trophy last season.

Redcar had the better of the opening half with Atherton keeper Gary Osborne kept constantly busy. There was little he could on 44 minutes to stop the defending champions taking the lead with a beautifully worked goal.

A tactical change at the interval worked wonders with Daniel Christie heading in a superb equaliser from Scott Hodson's cross and shortly after Clinton McLoughlin rounded the keeper to make it 2-1. With two minutes remaining Redcar levelled and with the score at 2-2 at full time the game went straight to penalties as the second semi-final was to follow.

Atherton's heroes proved to be keeper Osborne with two spot kick saves and Ryan Willetts who put home the decisive penalty kick.

Club secretary Gerald Butler explains: "The eventual winners go on to represent Carlsberg in a European competition but we don't even want to think about that yet!"

The scorer of Atherton's first goal Daniel Christie was selected as the man of the match by a clean shaven former Anfield legend Mark Lawrenson.

Atherton have laid on coach travel for their big day out. Contact Gerald Butler on 01942 870326 (h) or 882828 (b).