TOWNFIELD has been the place for goals this week – and this time 1874 Northwich were on the right side of a high-scoring game.

They moved a step closer to becoming the first team ever to defend the Macron Cup as they thrashed Shelley 6-1 in today’s semi-final.

1874 were grateful for the quick chance to rebound from Tuesday’s FA Cup defeat to Warrington Rylands by the same scoreline in a competition the North West Counties League committed to finishing from last season.

It was a chance they took as Scott McGowan scored a brace to book a final date with Runcorn Town on Saturday, September 26.

“We’re pleased with the performance,” co-manager Wayne Goodison.

“There were aspects of our play that were very good.

“There’s still things we know we can work on but ultimately, the aim was to win a semi final and we’ve done that.

“We were a little bit more positive with the ball today and more aggressive with it and that paid off.”

Harry Cain opened the scoring early for Greens before West Yorkshire-based Shelley equalised shortly afterwards through Sam Awty.

However, one Taylor Kennerley had put the hosts in front just before the break, they never looked back.

Jake Parker and McGowan scored in quick succession midway through the second half to put 1874 in full control, with the latter rounding off the scoring in injury time after Matt Woolley had scored the fifth.

It means 74 could still have a trophy in the bag before their league season starts on Saturday, October 3.

> 1874 Northwich 2020-21 full fixture list

“We know we’ve got games to go before the league season and now we’ll have the final, but everyone is looking really fit,” Goodison said.

“We haven’t done too much work out of possession in pre-season, but we’ve got some sessions planned on that.

“There’s just a few things about our shape and compactness, but we’re okay with where we are at the moment.”