30/01/09

Mossley will face Vodcat League Premier Division promotion chasers New Mills in the semi final of the Manchester FA Premier Cup, after the Derbyshire club defeated Ashton United 3-2 in their thrice postponed quarter final at Church Lane last night.

Amazingly, despite New Mills being comparatively local to Mossley the two sides have only met once before at Seel Park. That was back in the 1970-71 season when the Lilywhites won a Manchester Senior Cup semi final 3-0.

The only other meeting was a year earlier in the 1969-70 season when Mossley won 1-0 at Church Lane on their way to the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup and an epic encounter with Stockport County.

The current New Mills squad contains several ex Mossley players including Joe Shaw, Paul Garvey and Danny Toronczak and they are managed by two more ex Mossley players in Tony Hancock and Paul Kirkham.

The Millers are currently 3rd in the League with 44 points from 21 games as they chase leaders AFC Fylde and second placed Newcastle Town for a place in the UniBond League.

The other semi final is between Curzon Ashton and Droylsden.

No date for the tie has yet been announced.