CHEADLE Town will face Division Two outfit Audley in the final of the President's Trophy after a 'good professional job' at Hanley Town Reserves in Saturday's semi-final.

Adam Cartlidge hit the winner on 51 minutes with what proved to be the only goal of the game. And head coach Steve Austin claimed his side were deserved finalists.

"They [Hanley] had the odd chance but we were in control throughout," he said. "Audley are a similar side to Hanley – very physical – so we will have to combat that when the final comes around."

But Austin, pictured right, has put the President's Trophy final, which is due to take place at Norton United's ground in March, firmly on the back burner with Saturday's key Division One clash against promotion rivals Stone Dominoes now the focus.

"The season really starts on Saturday," insisted Austin. "It's a big game. They are second but we'll be going for the win obviously."

In last weekend's semi-final, Dave Brown created the first chance of the match in the eighth minute. He split Hanley's defence with a pass through to Cartlidge, but Oliver Simpson was quickly off his line to smother.

A Cartlidge long throw then presented Ben Carr with a good chance to head home as Cheadle dominated the early exchanges. But the forward could not get enough power behind his header.

Cheadle almost took the lead in the 25th minute. Carr crossed the ball into the path of Mark Kent, who struck a powerful shot that thundered against the left post. In a rare Hanley attack, Selwyn Miller made headway down the left but Cheadle cut out his cross at the near post to snuff out the danger.

Carr and Cartlidge combined in the 39th minute as Town threatened once again. Carr crossed from the right and Cartlidge struck a low drive that forced Simpson into a diving save as the half ended goalless.

Cartlidge once again put Hanley under pressure with a long throw after the break.

From the attempted clearance, Mark Johnson drove a low shot that forced a good save from Simpson.

Hanley created one of their best chances in the 48th minute. A throw from the right evaded Andy Elkes, but Ryan Jones could only to shoot over the bar from close range.

Town keeper Stuart Ford made a great block to deny Jones shortly after. And Cheadle immediately grabbed the all-important opener following a quick break.

Elkes cleared before Cartlidge received the ball on the edge of the area. He eluded his marker before striking a fine shot low into the right-hand corner of the net.

Cheadle almost struck again in the 56th minute. A wonderful diagonal ball from Evans sent Carr clear down the right.

But his cross was too high for Cartlidge who made a forceful run into the box.

Johnson and Cartlidge had further efforts but the killer second goal failed to arrive.

And Hanley had an opportunity to force extra-time in the dying minutes. Guy Martin was dispossessed by Kieran Shepherd, who struck a fierce shot that brought a brilliant save out of Ford.

Johnson then saw his deflected effort saved before Town successfully ran down the clock to keep their hopes of lifting the Trophy alive.

Saturday's crunch Division One fixture against Stone Dominoes, at Allen Street, Cheadle, is a 2.30pm kick-off.

Players are asked to meet at South Moorlands Leisure Centre from 1.30pm.

Cheadle: S Ford, D Corkery, M Johnson, M Kent, T Evans, A Cartlidge, D Brown, A Elkes, M Hubbard, B Carr, J Evans, N Hemmings, D Plant, A Wood, G Martin, P Barker.