IAN Lomax is hoping the Guardian Cup Final will bring the best out of his Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds team.

The Cheshire Soccer League side’s form has been ‘indifferent’ of late and will need to be spot on to defeat a strong Whiston Cross Halton team at Rylands Recreation Ground, Gorsey Lane, on Easter Monday at 11am.

“The season rests on this,” said Lomax, with his side out of all other silverware running.

“It’s always a tough cup to win as you need to win five games to get to the final. It means a lot to the players.”

Greenalls, who last won the cup in 2004/05, booked their place in this year’s final with a last-four success against Runcorn Albion.

Whiston showed their determination to keep the cup within the Warrington Soccer League environment when they defeated Cheshire League rivals Crosfields in a penalty shoot-out after the match ended all square.

Lomax watched Whiston at the weekend and said: “They’re a big side, well organised and like to play a bit. It’s going to be a tough game.

“With the traditions of the two teams and their ex-players I think there should be a fair few people turning up to watch, especially if the weather is good too.”

Grreenalls, who lost 3-1 at home to Middlewich in the league on Tuesday night, face Cheadle Linotype at home on Saturday at 3pm before they can turn their full focus on to winning the cup.

Meanwhile, Orford BA took Premier Division opposition Beeches all the way to a shoot-out in the quarter finals of the Drinkwater Cup.

Paul Fearnley, Mark Lawton and Paul Leah all bagged in the 90 minutes but the home side lost out in the penalty lottery.

Smiths SD kept their promotion hopes alive in the Sindh and Luqmans Division Five with a 4-0 victory at Blackbrook Reserves.

A Lewis Buckley hat-trick was added to by a Paul Sanderson strike.