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Northwood saw the Moatmen’s history making FA Vase run come to an end when they crashed 1-0 to Emley in Saturday’s fifth round tussle.

But he swallowed his disappointment to say: “We have still got a lot to play for and that’s what I’ll be stressing to the lads this week.”

The Moatmen are favourably placed in the Banks’s League title race and have semi-finals to come in the Banks’s League Cup and the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

And what promises to be a thrilling climax to the season starts on Saturday when they take on arch-rivals Tamworth in the first leg of the League Cup semi-final at the Moat Ground.

“I’ve seen sides crumble before when they get knocked out of the Vase but the league has always been my priority,” said Northwood.

Saturday’s defeat was watched by a crowd of 1,139.

“I felt sick for the supporters. I’d like to thank everybody who came to the game and got behind the team – they were magnificent,” added Northwood.



Northwood has launched an angry attack on his Stapenhill opposite number Mick Allsop.

Northwood has alleged that Allsopp mad an illegal approach for Rovers’ transfer listed goalkeeper Karl Austin.

“Apparently Mick phoned Karl up on Friday night and asked him to play for Stapenhill on Saturday,” said the Gresley chief.

“That’s totally out of order as far as I’m concerned. Karl is a contract player and on the transfer list. I had already let Stapenhill have three of our players – Ian Earley, Ray Skeemer and Mark Abbott – on loan for Saturday.”

Stapenhill’s game with Holwell Works was postponed and Austin turned up at the Moat Ground to meet with a frosty reception from Northwood.

Scarborough manager Neil Warnock has also made an approach for Austin but the goalkeeper was apparently not interested in joining the Fourth Division outfit.