by David Williams

TREBLE-chasing Cammell Laird - by far the most successful football team in Wirral this season - aim to outgun the galloping giant-killers of Newmarket Town on Saturday to reach the semi-finals of the coveted FA Vase for the first time in their history.

Lairds - nicknamed 'The Battleships' - are favourites to win what is one of the two top tournaments in British non-league football.

The one-time Carlsberg West Cheshire League club have set the non-league world alight this season, losing only one game in the North West Counties League Division One and on course to win the title, despite having six points deducted for a breach of league rules, and reaching the semi-finals of the League Challenge Cup.

Lairds believe the treble is there for the taking . . .

But first they have to survive Saturday's visit to the giant-killers' den. Struggling Eastern Counties Premier League club Newmarket knocked out joint favourites Winchester City in the last round and, with home advantage, are full of confidence.

Lairds, though, will not be without plenty of vocal support. Two coaches, a mini-bus and countless cars will take their growing army of supporters to the tie, rated by club officials as "the most important game of the season so far."

Lairds journey to their overnight hotel in Suffolk on Friday.

Manager Ian Doran is forced to make changes, with skipper Anthony Lynch ruled out with a hamstring injury and goalkeeper Leon Bimpson sidelined with a dislocated shoulder suffered in last Saturday's hard-earned 4-2 victory after extra-time over Curzon Ashton in a League Challenge Cup quarter-final tie.

But Lairds' prolific strike partnership of Ronnie 'Rocket' Moore and ex-Tranmere player Jamie McGuire are expected to play despite picking up knocks.

It's been a hectic week for 'The Battleships' . . .

Last Tuesday, a fourth minute goal by Ronnie Morgan was enough to defeat Atherton Collieries in a league match.

Morgan grabbed a hat-trick and Ian Moore the fourth in Saturday's Challenge Cup triumph and on Monday night Lairds travelled to meet Curzon Ashton in a league match - and won 4-1 with strikes by McGuire, 2, Atherton and Rimmer.

Lairds are currently third in the table and, if they win their games in hand, could lead the title race by a single point.

q In the League Challenge Cup two-legged semi-finals, Lairds have been drawn against Division Two club Flixton. The first leg on March 18 is at Lairds' Kirklands, Rock Ferry, ground with the return leg at Flixton's Valley Road ground on March 25.

Last season, Lairds fired 14 goals past the Manchester side - 8-0 at home and 6-1 away.

The other semi-final is between Oldham Town and Salford City.