EGERTON secured a place in the final of the Mid-Cheshire League Cup on Sunday with an emphatic victory over Gate FC.

The club will feel that a day out at the Drill Field on April 25 is just reward for all the hard work that's been done on and off the pitch at Egerton this season.

Four goals in the first-half, two from man of the match Chris Rawlings and one each for Dave Murray and Ryan Briers, set the win up and further goals after the break by Murray again.

Ian Platt and Mike Jackson put Egerton firmly in control.

But the game burst into life with 17 minutes to go with the introduction of Steve Johnson and with his first touch he put the game firmly beyond Gate.

The ball was floated in from the left by Gary Fielden and the goalkeeper, under pressure, could only push the ball away as far as the penalty spot.

Johnson with the sharp anticipation of all great finishers was moving across the area and on to the loose ball like a shot, a silky first touch in the heavily-sanded penalty area set him up to sit the advancing goalkeeper down in the mud as he ghosted around him to thread the ball through outstretched legs and despairing lunges into the far corner of the goals.

It was a true moment of joy.

Johnson, who had broken Gate hearts with a last-minute equaliser in the league game at Egerton earlier in the season, continued where he had left off and had a half chance to add to the Egerton tally five minutes later.

A neat turn in the middle of the field and weighted pass inside the Gate fullback set Platt away down the left.

Some players would have stood admiring but Johnson then made up the 40 yards to meet the cross at the far post, but could only direct his header wide of the upright.

Next week Egerton are away in the Mid-Cheshire Sunday League Premier Division. Kick off 11am..

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