FOOTBALL: Appleby are through to the final of the High Sheriff's Cup - the Westmorland League's Division 1 knockout competition - after beating Ambleside United 4-3 in extra time.

It was not one of Appleby's better displays and they were a bag of nerves at the start of the semi-final played at neutral Ullswater on Saturday.

Ambleside took advantage to storm into a 2-0 lead but a John Coward free kick pulled one back before half-time and, just before the break, Nicky Slee met a ball played through a crowded area and netted with his left-foot snap shot to level the scores.

Ambleside had the better of the second half overall, but lost their keeper when he cut an ankle quite badly when sliding in for a 50-50 ball with Appleby's Steve Wharton.

Appleby never seriously tested the substitute keeper and Ambleside went 3-2 up when a forward cleverly turned his marker, ran unstopped in the penalty box and slotted in.

Once again, Appleby came back to level the scores as Neil Dean burst through on goal. Although the keeper parried his first shot, the ball came back to Dean and he scored at the second attempt.

Appleby keeper Paul Coward made two crucial point-blank saves to keep his side in the argument as the tie moved into extra time. In the first period Appleby's Richard Faustino was fouled on the edge of the box. He got up and took the free kick himself and, from the cross, team-mate Thomas Armstrong's overhead kick was fumbled over the line.

Appleby clung on to their 4-3 lead and will now meet Kendal County, who beat Greystoke 8-1 at Shap, in next month's final.

Appleby manager Jock' Nugent said: " We didn't play that well on the day, but we got out of jail."

The Appleby club are hunting a possible cup double with the Reserves through to play Endmoor in the final of the Peter Daws Memorial Trophy.

Weekly league results round-up: Saturday - Div 1: Keswick 5, Carvetii Utd 2; Sedbergh Wanderers 2, Windermere SC 1; Wetheriggs Utd 3, Burneside 1. High Sheriff's Cup semi-finals: Ambleside 3, Appleby 4 (aet, at Ullswater); Greystoke 1, Kendal County 8 (at Shap).

Div 2: Ibis Res 0, Keswick Res 1; Kendal County Res 1, Kirkoswald 3; Penrith Rangers 3, Staveley Utd 0; Windermere SC Res v Shap (post). Mason & Freeman Cup, second round: Dent 5, Wetheriggs Utd Res 3.

Div 3: Carvetii Utd Res 1, Ambleside Utd Res 1; Lunesdale Utd Res 2, Kendal Utd 2.

Div 4: Braithwaite 8, Staveley Utd Res 0; Esthwaite Vale 2, Langwathby Utd 9; Kendal Celtic Res v Coniston Res (post); Windermere SC A 3, Dent Res 2. Austin Wren Cup, second round: Endmoor KGR Res 1, Kirkby Thore 0.

Friday - Div 2: Sedbergh Wand Res 1, Kendal Celtic 6.

Thursday - Div 1: Windermere SC 4, Keswick 2.

Wednesday - Div 2: Ibis Res 1, Dent 1; Kendal County Res 0, Keswick Res 2; Wetheriggs Utd Res 1, Penrith Rangers 4; Windermere SC Res 1, Kendal Celtic 3.

Div 4: Greystoke Res 1, Braithwaite 3.

Tuesday - Div 1: Appleby 3, Lunesdale Utd 3; Burneside 0, Coniston 0; Kendal County 11, Sedbergh Wanderers 2; Keswick v Ambleside Utd (post); Wetheriggs Utd 3, Carvetii Utd 2. Div 4: FC Milnthorpe 6, Endmoor KGR Res 1; Kendla Celtic Res 8, Burneside A 1; Staveley Utd Res 5, Windermere SC A 2.