DON’T try to persuade 1874 Northwich supporters that the Mid-Cheshire District FA Senior Cup doesn’t matter.

Their side will contest a first final in the club’s short history next week after Ryan Jackson’s goal separated them Barnton at a sodden Townfield on Monday.

Standing in their way of silverware are Witton Albion, their conquerors with a stoppage-time winner in a pulsating semi-final last term.

Ian Street’s side were made to work for their win in difficult conditions last night.

They had only discovered on Thursday that the game would take place little more than 48 hours after travelling to Nelson for a North West Counties League fixture on Saturday.

The decisive moment against the Villagers arrived in the minutes before the break, when Jackson’s low drive from the edge of the box flashed into the bottom corner following fine approach play by Matthew Beadle.

In the second period Stuart Wellstead’s attempt sped past an upright, while Barnton defender Michael Burke almost diverted Jackson’s free kick into his own goal.

The clearest opening fell to Wellstead late on but, after being sent clear by Beadle, his shot was smothered by the hosts’ goalkeeper Richard Mottram.

Barnton, fielding a side that included six debutants to keep regulars fresh for an important league fixture Wednesday, enjoyed spells of pressure.

But they rarely troubled 1874 goalkeeper Greg Hall.

In the end, Jackson’s solitary strike was enough to divide the sides.

1874 now hope to repeat the feat of landlords Winsford United, who were victors in successive finals back in 2013 and again the following year.

Holders Northwich Victoria withdrew from this season’s edition last month, citing fixture congestion.

Barnton | Mottram (GK), Doughty, Williams, Pollard, Burke, Meadowcroft, Sheehan, Hayes, Newman, Scott, Clampitt, O’Brien Subs Stafford, Malone, McShane, Billington, Pritchard

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Woods, Mitchell, Thomas, Chappell, Jackson, Riley, Beadle, Edwards, Wellstead Subs Brandon, Tulloch, Farnworth, Mason, James

Referee Karl Buckley

Attendance 201