PHIL Webb' s Box Steam Brewery booked their place in the final of the EJ Shanley & Son-sponsored Spring Cup after defeating third division stablemates Aces FC 2-1 in a thrilling encounter at Newton Memorial Ground.

Webb’s Brewery boys had already beaten their rivals 2-1 in one of their league meetings and went into the contest as slight favourites but they were made to fight all the way for a victory that will go some way to helping ease the pain after missing out on the third division title to Potterne.

In a first half where Gavin Francis wasted a host of chances to give the Brewery boys the lead, they mayhave thought lady luck had deserted them but they finally made the all-important breakthrough when Danny Harrison headed them in front.

The Brewery boys doubled their advantage through a second from Harrison butAces got themselves back in the tie when Tom Pang scored from the penalty spot after Charlie Heydon’s deliberate hand ball, which led to him seeing red.

With their one-man advantage, Aces went in search of an equaliser and were denied on a couple of occasions but in the end, the Brewery boys held on to set up a meeting with Melksham Town A in the final on 23rd April.

Melksham's 2-1 victory at home to second division Worton & Cheverell to set up their meeting with the Brewery boys and for manager Barry Holloway, it keeps alive his hopes of lifting the trophy for a second successive season, as he was captain of Trowbridge Town Reserves when they defeated Lacock last term.

Melksham, who narrowly missed out on an automatic promotion spot from division three, had to work hard for a spot in the final after their hosts took a 70th minute lead through substitute Jamie Sperring.

The goal seemed to wake up Melksham and they equalised through Ollie Gee, whose brilliant header set up a thrilling final 10 minutes.

James Dark settled matters as he lashed home into the top corner to earn Holloway’s side a meeting with the Brewery boys.