By Mark Sleightholm

NOT since 1922 have Turton made the Lancashire FA Amateur Shield final, and after achieving that on Wednesday night manager Craig Jones wants his side to enjoy their run in a competition they last won in 1913.

Turton led from five minutes in when Daniel Locke scored the first of his two goals, with Osman Karakan and Emmanuel Yoak also finding the net in a 4-1 win against Coppull United.

The West Lancashire League Premier Division side now find themselves in the shield final for the first time in almost a century, where they will take on Thornton Cleveleys at the County Ground in Leyland on May 1.

“The players were dancing round the dressing room last night. This is a club that, other than getting promotion back into the Premier Division, haven’t had this sort of win,” said Jones.

“With [club stalwart] Ernie Charnock passing away and me coming in, things have changed quite a lot this year, so this means the world. It shows everything’s moving in the right direction.”

The Tigers scored three goals in the first half before Liam Hoyle’s penalty offered Coppull a way back into the game. Both Turton keeper Josh McGreavy and Coppull’s Matthew Taylor were sent off in the final 15 minutes, but Yoak’s 94th-minute goal secured the historic win for Turton.

“It was about grit and determination and we had that on the night,” explained Jones, as attention turns to Turton’s Richardson Cup quarter-final at home to Tempest United tomorrow.

“I’m always one for looking for areas of improvement. There are things we’re working on, but on the whole I’m absolutely over the moon.”

Jones praised the togetherness of his players and the support of the club’s chairman, Peter Gray, and the fans, adding: “It was great after the final whistle to see so many smiles on faces.

“It’s great to be able to give something back.”

Turton have little time to celebrate their win, with Richardson Cup and league matches piling up ahead of them.

Jones is determined to keep their focus on the match in front of them, but said: “They’re coming thick and fast, but that’s because we’re victims of our own success. We’ve got to embrace it and enjoy it.”

Turton’s opponents in the final, Thornton Cleveleys, sit two positions and two points ahead of them in the Premier Division, and with two games in hand.

Each side has won one of their league meetings this season, and Jones predicts a tough but interesting shield final in May.