News

There has been a lot of involvement between the sides in the past 18 months or so as players discarded from the Moat Ground scene have settled in to form the nucleus of the Stapenhill team.

Goalkeeper Martin McNamara, the much acclaimed Brian Attley, Roger Davies, Tom Thompson and the latest signing Reg Priest were all part of Gresley’s plans a little over a year ago.

But their release prompted Stapenhill boss Mick Allsopp to take some action – and all find themselves facing their old club tomorrow.

It is natural to assume that the ‘big five’ will be eager to put up a good show in an all-out effort to dump Gresley out of the competition.

Stapenhill are quietly confident of getting the right result, but are aware of the uphill task they are facing.

It is hoped that both sides will be well supported as the Edge Hill club look forward to their best gate of the season

Swan’s boss was in a philosophical frame of mind when he said: “The nicest thing about Saturday’s fixture is that the real winners will be the spectators, and the fact that there will be a local side representing the area in the next round.”

Allsopp quipped: “Obviously we are the underdogs – there’s no way Frank can deny that!”

Both sides hold proud unbeaten league records and the experience of losing is foreign to both camps.

On the day, though, Gresley’s strengths – especially in defence should assure a passage into the next round.

It will be interesting to see how the likes of Brian Attley, Tommy Thompson and Ian King cope at the back against the double-trouble pair of Brian Beresford and Peter Mould.

But on their day Priest, Birkenhead and Davies can also spell fears for opposing defences.

It’s hard to predict, although the prospect of the tie going to a replay at the Moat Ground is a strong possibility.