Rushen United and DHSOB remain on collision course to meet in the final of this season’s Ascot Hotel Junior Cup after they were kept apart in the semi-finals.

Combination One long-time leaders Rushen face a potentially tricky to St George’s while Old Boys welcome Laxey to Blackberry Lane. The Spaniards will start the day as favourites to get the better of Geordies as they currently lie no fewer than 22 points clear of the Saints in the league table.

Rushen were pushed hard by Douglas Royal in the quarter-finals before edging past the Whites 3-2, while Geordies got the better of Douglas Athletic 3-1.

The southerners beat Geordies 6-3 early in the season but the last time the sides met they played out a 2-2 draw at Glencrutchery Road, suggesting that this could be a tight match.

The other match should be a little easier to call, with Old Boys favourites to see off the spirited challenge of Laxey. The Miners have struggled with player availability of late and so it remains to be seen whether they will travel with a full squad.

With six places and 16 points between then in the league in DHSOB’s favour, Old Boys will be expected to see off the challenge of the Glen Road side, especially having already beaten them twice this season including a 4-1 win a month ago, but they will need to guard against complacency.