WHAThappens when the irresistible force comes up against the immovable object? We could find out on Saturday when Glossop North End meet Dunston UTS in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.
The Gateshead side are known for not conceding many goals. So are the Hillmen. As Glossop manager Chris Willcock puts it, something will have to give.
Willcock describes Dunston as a hard-working, typical North East outfit. They won the Vase in 2012 and since 2009, when North End were losing finalists, a club from that part of the world has reached Wembley each time, winning on five of the six occasions.
“They’re a good team going well in the Northern League premier division. We’ll especially have to keep an eye on Andrew Bulford who was man of the match when they won the Vase. He’s scored bags of goals,” said Willcock.
“With the three Whitley Bay players they’ve signed Dunston will have six men who have played in Vase finals. They’ve got experience throughout the side as well as lots of skill, so we’re going to have to be at our best. But they won’t be looking forward to coming to our place.”
If the tie finishes as a draw the replay will be at Wellington Road the following Saturday. However, with his team in three cups and challenging for the North West Counties League championship, Willcock aims to go through at the first attempt.
“We want to get it done and dusted this weekend,” commented the Glossop boss. “A replay really wouldn’t suit us in our situation. We believe we’re going to get a big crowd. The fact United and City aren’t playing on Saturday should help us.”
Willcock’s only injury worry is midfielder Martin Parker who was rested for the Derbyshire Senior Cup quarter-final victory over Chesterfield because of a slight groin strain. His situation was to be monitored at Thursday training and a decision made on Saturday.
Glossop’s county cup semi-final opponents are Matlock Town and while Willcock is prepared to acknowledge their Evo-stik NPL premier division status he believes they are beatable.
He said: “They play two levels higher than us and seem to be responding to a new management team so it’s going to be difficult. But we knocked them out of the competition last year and we can do that again.
“As far as we’re concerned at Glossop North End we’ve got unfinished business in the Derbyshire Senior Cup. When we lost to Ilkeston in last year’s final we got a raw deal from the officials.
“This year we’re determined to go one better.”