THIS was a very solid performance by both teams showing true Lishman Cup semi-final determination.

Morecambe went ahead after about ten minutes before Anne Preston equalised with the first of another hat-trick. Morecambe fought back and scored, Preston equalised, and Gilly Cooper put Lytham ahead from a penalty stroke.

The second half saw Lytham step up a gear and, although Morecambe fought back with two goals, the visitors could not prevent Lytham adding five more. Anne Preston completed her hat-trick, Gilly Cooper scored her second, and other goals came from Lian Atkinson, Heidi Whitehead and Gemma Noon. This was a very good all round performance by the Lytham team, especially their defence where Kelly Ferguson stood out among other very accomplished players.

Lytham Ladies 1st XI 8 Morecambe Ladies 1st XI 4

DESPITE a lacklustre start to this Lishman Cup Plate semi-final, Lytham somehow kept Lancaster at bay before opening the scoring after a great solo run by captain Lorna Leach. Lytham then kept up the pressure and Jo Martyn-Clark kept them ahead just before half-time, although Lancaster pulled one back almost as the whistle blew.

It was Lancaster who then dominated the play and equalised. This triggered the Lytham side into stepping up the pace with Lisa Griffin, in particular, working tirelessly. Eventually all the hard work was rewarded when Martyn-Clark scored the winner goal from a good penalty corner routine.

And so Lytham Ladies will play in two cup-finals on Saturday March 23. Full details will be published later.

Lytham Ladies 2nd XI 3 Lancaster Ladies 4th XI 2

LYTHAM'S men started well in this fiercely contested Northern League Division One match with neither side giving the opposition much space. It was 0-0 at the interval but the second half proved very different. Within five minutes of the re-start a hopeful pass sent Alderley down the right wing on the break and Lytham watched as a poor shot trickled into their goal. They fought to get back into the game but were unlucky when Alderley were awarded a flick after what looked like an obvious foul a few seconds before when play to be waved on. This was converted to make it 2-0. Lytham then produced some good interlinking in the middle and Dave Robbins was unlucky not to convert a reverse stick shot. In the final minutes Alderley Edge made it 3-0 from a short corner. The one outstanding performance of the match was from Stuart Waby who had his best game so far for the firsts.

Alderley Edge 3 Lytham St Annes 0