MECHANICS' unbeaten youth soccer team withstood a welter of intimidation and provocation against Accrington to emerge 2-1 victors in an incredibly hard-fought U18 Lancashire Cup semi-final at the Crown Ground on Tuesday night (Feb 23).

After losing the toss and kicking down the famed Accrington slope, they went a goal down against the run of play, when Walker slotted the ball under keeper Andy Speight.

Then Hankinson and Price in the visitors' midfield created a good opportunity for Dwire out on the left but the striker chose to centre and the ball ran harmlessly across the Accrington goal.

Mechanics pushed the versatile Park up to centre forward and this paid off almost immediately when Dwire and Park combined to lay off a chance for the hard working Danny Price to smash a shot home from 12 yards in a crowded penalty area.

After the break Mechanics settled to play some neat football across the wings and when Edwards was tripped in the box he kept his feet only to be denied by a good save from the home keeper.

Price picked up a ball from a Hankinson header and put the ball through to Dwire whose perfectly timed pass was met by Park who threaded the ball under the home keeper in a carbon copy of Accrington's first half move.

Mechanics are the first Fylde Coast representatives in the U18 final for 75 years and now meet rivals Burscough in the final at the County Ground, Leyland, on Wednesday, March 10, kick-off 7.30pm.

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