CMB WILL fly the flag for Bolton tonight as the last local club remaining in the Lancashire Amateur Shield.

The West Lancs League Division Two outfit have overcome the odds to make it into the last four of the competition, where they take on AFC Monton at Ashton Athletic's Brocstedes Park ground, kick off 7.30pm.

They have defeated Manchester League Premier Division sides Wythenshaw Amateurs and Prestwich Heyes and then overcame sides from higher up in their own league, Burscough Richmond of Division One and Premier Division outfit Longridge.

Manager Phil Roberts said: "It's been a fantastic run that's had everything from penalty shoot out victories to last-minute winners, we've been underdogs in every round so far.

"The spirit at this club is one of the best I've known – right from the chairman Ian Haggart through to the players.

" A lot of credit has to go to people behind the scenes, such as Ste Ford and ex-manager Ron White.

"For a club that's only had adult football for six and a half years to be in the last four of the biggest trophy you can win at this level of football, it is a great achievement."

AFC Monton, who stand between Roberts' side and a place in the final, are mid-table in the Manchester League Premier Division. They go into the tie on the back of two heavy defeats, but the CMB manager is still wary of the threat they pose.

"I've been watching AFC Monton a couple of times and they look like a decent side, energetic and physical," he said.

The Chew Moor outfit have also been going strong in the league. They are fourth in the table but could move to within two points of leaders Ladybridge if they win their five games in hand.

Roberts added: "Our aim is still to win the league and until that's mathematically impossible we are going to keep pushing for it.

"Every credit to Ladybridge they're on a great run and are going to take some stopping.

"The Shield hasn't got in the way of the league at all, in fact quite the opposite.

"After a couple of really poor results in the league, beating Burscough in the third round in October really kicked us on and we've won every game since then and not conceded a goal in our last four matches.

"So tonight's tie will be a big one for the club and the lads and is something we are all looking forward to."