THE best things come to those who wait, and while Turton were forced to delay what they hope will be the first of two trophies it served them well as they saw off a much-changed Coppull United.

Floodlight failure at the Lancashire FA headquarters in Leyland brought their Richardson Cup final to a premature end, with the game abandoned at half time with the sides locked at 0-0.

However, last Tuesday’s match served as a handy dress rehearsal for the Tigers to check out the new faces in Coppull’s line-up, and that proved invaluable as they ran out 2-0 winners in Saturday’s rearranged match.

“It was a bit odd after what had happened last week, it took a bit of the ‘cup final’ feel out of it,” said manager Craig Jones.

“To be honest, it helped us though, it dampened the nerves that had been there on Tuesday and allowed us to approach it with the mentality we’ve had for our league games.

“The lights opposite the dugouts were on but only one came on on our side, which wasn’t a problem while there was still some light around but when the light had gone by the time we were supposed to come out for the second half the ref said he had no choice but to call it off.

“The game was 0-0 and I’m sure that’s the best time to call it off, there couldn’t have been any upset faces.

“And it played into our hands a bit, it allowed us to have a look at Coppull, they were a very different team to the ones we’ve played before this season. They’re a lot better because they’ve taken a lot of players from Leyland United [who were expelled from the league in December] so we were able to have a good look at them for 45 minutes and we were better prepared for the second game on Saturday.”

The game played at the second attempt was also evenly-balanced but Turton brought home the cup thanks to goals by Ally Dickson and Dan Locke.

And, far from resting on their laurels, Jones is targeting a second piece of silverware tonight in the Lancashire FA Shield final as well as maximum points from their remaining league games to finish in third in the Premier Division.

“Ally’s goal was a cross that evaded everyone and found its way into the the bottom corner of the goal,” he added. “Strikers couldn’t get a touch on it and defenders didn’t dare touch it but it was put into a really good area and it settled us down.

“We had to defend for long periods but our centre-backs, Paul and Jordan Lomax, were outstanding, they were absolutely faultless.

“Paul has been in and out of the team because of his shifts as a fireman but both Lomaxes – who aren’t related – were exceptional in defence.

“We were still thinking we needed another goal and when Danny slotted in from Luke Bradbury’s ball to make it 2-0 with 20 minutes left we knew we could relax a bit and enjoy the rest of the game.”

Turton return to Leyland tonight to take on Thornton Cleveleys with the shield at stake and Jones expects another tough assignment against a side that – for now – is two places and six points ahead in the table.

“This is the highest trophy teams at this level can play for,” he added. “We’re all up for what should be another tasty one. The lads have been a credit all season so we’ll keep our fingers crossed we can bring home another one.”

The Hallmark Security League First Division North's bottom two, Daisy Hill and Atherton LR, both lost 5-0 as they rounded off dour campaigns.

The Daisies were defeated by hosts Cleator Moor Celtic while LR lost to visitors Bacup Borough.

Bolton County closed their Manchester League Premier Division season with a 5-3 loss at home to Dukinfield Town while Bolton Lads and Girls Club rounded off their Division One campaign with a 3-1 defeat at Uppermill.

In the Lancashire Amateur League Premier Division, Old Boltonians were 2-1 winners at Mostonians but Blackrod Town lost 2-1 to Failsworth Dynamos to end the season second-bottom of the table. Thornleigh were beaten 5-0 at home to champions Whitworth Valley.