There are two intriguing clashes in store in the semi-finals of the Ascot Hotel Junior Cup this weekend.

DHSOB’s quest to win the competition for the first time in 27 years took another step closer to fruition last Saturday as they knocked out defending champions Rushen United 3-0 in the quarter-finals.

This weekend the Blackberry Lane side face another stern test of their cup credentials as they go up against Laxey.

Having clinched the Canada Life Combination One league title for a third year in a row, Liam Buckley’s men will be favourites to overcome the Miners.

However, Laxey were their nearest challengers in the league and eventually finished second, some five points adrift, therefore this could well be a close contest.

Indeed both of the league games between the two were only settled by the odd goal- Old Boys winning 2-1 twice - so expect another tense affair this weekend.

The other semi-final is an all Saints battle, with St Mary’s travelling to Mullen-e-Cloie to take on St John’s United.

The visitors will undoubtedly start as favourites having finished five places higher than their opponents in the league - fifth compared to 10th - especially given that the Bowl outfit romped to a thumping 12-1 win over the Johnners early in the season.

However, it proved to be a much closer contest when the sides last met just a few weeks ago, on that occasion St Mary’s grinding out a narrow 1-0 win.

Neither side is in the greatest run of form at the moment but, as they say, form sometimes goes out the window in these types of matches.

However, St Mary’s will take a lot of confidence from the fact that they beat a rejuvenated St George’s side in the quarter-finals having seen off the challenge of JCK Combination Two side Castletown in the previous round.

The Johnners went up against JCK Combination Two duo Gymns and Foxdale in their previous rounds, coming out on top 3-2 and 4-1 respectively so they will be hoping to continue their mini winning run.

Both games kick off at 2.30pm this Saturday afternoon.