Longridge Town takes centre-stage this weekend as they enter the last 16 of the Buildbase FA Vase competition as they face Northern League side Hebburn Town.
Lee Ashcroft's side has already fended off Newcastle University, AFC Blackpool, Crook Town, Thornaby, Congleton Town and Newark Flowserve in the last round.
Ahead of 5th Round clash, Manager Ashcroft (pictured left) was keen to emphasise just how far his Club has come, both on and off the pitch, in the last 2 years. "It really is a tremendous achievement for a Club of our size to reach the last 16. Two years ago we were in the local West Lancashire league playing in front of 30 people, whereas we now average over 170 each Home game, and with two consecutive promotions now find ourselves just 3 ties from Wembley! Obviously we are the clear underdogs, but we have been in the last two rounds as well and managed to come through ok.
"Hebburn are a very strong side, 2nd favourites to win the competition, and their League up there has an excellent record in the competition with South Shields and Stockton having success in recent years. However, we’re at home which is a huge bonus, we’re expecting a crowd in excess of 500, including big travelling support, and I’m sure it will be a great game. We’re not in the best of form ironically, but we should have everyone available to us on Saturday and we will play our usual game, and go into the fixture confident of giving them a game. If we get through this one, then who knows what might happen.
"The people of Longridge have shown us great support, on and off the pitch, as the Club has grown and if they can get behind us on Saturday then it would be nice to give them something unbelievable to dream of."
Whilst Hebburn Town dispatched fellow NWCFL side Vauxhall Motors 1-0 in the last round and manager Kevin Bolam (left) knows it will be a difficult task, "Another away day, another NWCL side and another very good side, to say the least. They are the top scorers in the competition and have real quality, looking at their stats.
"We are looking forward to the tie and have travelled well so far in the competition but we also realise we face a very good side and we will have to be at our best to have a chance of progression Since last Saturday, all our attention has been focused on the tie and we are hopeful of a good following of supporters travelling down to Longridge on the day."
Saturday 8th February 2020 | |||
15:00 | Longridge Town v Hebburn Town | The Mike Riding Ground |
Elsewhere in the NWCFL, there are several other Cup games up and down the region. In the PlayerMatch.com Cup Quarter Finals, First Division South side Abbey Hey host Wythenshawe Town, whilst North side AFC Liverpool face South outfit Cheadle Town, Emley AFC travels South to FC Oswestry Town and Sandbach United make the trip to in-form West Didsbury & Chorlton.
Saturday 8th February 2020 | |||
15:00 | Abbey Hey v Wythenshawe Town | The Abbey Stadium | |
15:00 | AFC Liverpool v Cheadle Town | The Marine Travel Arena | |
15:00 | FC Oswestry Town v Emley AFC | The Venue | |
15:00 | West Didsbury & Chorlton v Sandbach United | The Recreation Ground |
Finally, Cammell Laird 1907 host Mersey Royal in the Semi-Final of the Wirral Senior Cup Semi-Final with a superb opportunity to emulate the team of 2001-02, when they last won the competition.
Saturday 8th February 2020 | |||
15:00 | Cammell Laird 1907 v Mersey Royal | Kirklands |
Good luck to all our sides in their respective games on Saturday.