SUCCESS to the Plough are through to the semi-finals of the Lancashire Sunday Trophy following a 1-0 win over Red Lion (Colne).

The odds were, at least on paper, stacked against Success who were beaten by Red Lion in the second round of last season’s knockout. Lion had this season beaten three other Rochdale teams on their way into the last eight, including former Trophy champions Copper Pot.

Success started the brighter and quickly got their passing game from midfield up and running, but despite their possession they failed to test the Lion keeper.

Lion came into the game, and their direct play caught Success out, but Danny Holmes and Gary Mason helped to steady the ship as the Success defence regained control.

It was all hands to the pumps in the last 15 minutes of the first half, but Lion couldn’t come up with something to beat Waston who made some good saves.

Success had scored in each of their last 25 games, so they were a confident a goal would come, while still thinking two would be needed.

A goal looked on the way when Riley received the ball on the Lion right and drove to the byline. As everyone waited for a cross he beat two more players in the box before finally knocking over a cross-shot which somehow didn’t go in.

The move of the match came with 25 minutes left.

Jackson found Riley with a good ball, and he again drove forward on the Lion right, but this time he turned back and passed to Tod Hayes whose great cross to the far post saw Richard Helm beat the Lion keeper with a powerful header.

All Success now had to do was play time out, but they knew this would not be easy against a team which had been in the last eight for the last two seasons.

Lion made a couple of substitutions and pushed on. They did cause Success a few problems, but as they sought an equaliser they left gaps at the back, and play became end to end.

Success were lucky not to have a penalty awarded against them when a silly challenge by Danny King was deemed outside the box.

Lion protested the foul had been in the area, but the referee had been in a great position to see the incident.

The free kick came to nothing, and it was game over.

Success will now take on Woodhouse Athletic of the South Lancashire Counties Sunday League on a date to be arranged.

Woodhouse have been placed back in the competition after losing 7-1 to Blackpool outfit Quilligans who fielded an ineligible player.