Southport Birkdale Ladies ensured their season would end with a cup final by reaching the final of the North West Women's League Plate competition with a 3-1 victory over Macclesfield Town at Haig Avenue, infront of a superb following of over 100 spectators.

The Ladies started strongly and took and early lead when Alex Ferguson won the ball on the right and fed to Aimee Cooper, who in turn fed it into the path of Angela Delahunty, who finished calmly past the advancing keeper. They doubled their lead five minutes later when a long through ball from Lois McKenna caught out the Macclesfield defence, and Delahunty beat the offside trap to draw the keeper and finish calmly. The Ladies had further chances to increase their lead but went in 2-0 up at the break.

Macclesfield came back strongly at the start of the second half and halved the deficit with a neat lofted finish by Victoria Jepson. However, neat play by Emily Jackson, Hayley Sharrock and Erin Woodhouse fed Cooper, who saw her initial shot saved but had the presence of mind to square the ball for Delahunty to complete her first hat-trick for the team.

A fantastic end to the Ladies' first season at Haig Avenue, the team complete their league campaign with a trip to Leigh RMI next weekend, before the Plate final which will be played on Sunday 6th May at Airbus UK's ground, Broughton, Flintshire, kick off 12pm. Thank you to everyone who came to support the team today and throughout the season.