West Riding County Cup
Ash Connor expects a tough test as Golcar United and Roy Mason’s Steeton battle it out to land the knockout blow on each other in the mouth-watering West Riding County Cup First Round tie in Huddersfield tonight.
Matches between the old foes have always been memorable – this season’s North West Counties League First Division North clash being a prime example.
Although there’s no bitterness between the sides, that contest contained a winning last minute penalty, a mass brawl, red cards and a mistaken identity red card.
“We’ve always had a good rivalry with Roy Mason and Steeton so hopefully it will be another good game,” Connor told Non League Yorkshire.
“We’ve both got a lot of respect for each other.
“We have been both come from the West Riding County Amateur League and we were both always near the top of the table in that league.
“We always had good games against them and it has carried on into Non League.
“Last season they got the better of us whereas we won the first game between us this season so we’ll see what happens on Tuesday.
“There’ll be two hard-working teams who try and play the right way so it’ll be a battle.
“We both want to get through into the next round.”
Golcar have only twice this season – in the FA Vase and in the top of the table with favourites Bury AFC a few weeks ago.
That defeat saw Golcar lost some ground in the title race but they’ve since recovered to reclaim top spot – not that Connor is jumping for joy.
“Like I’ve said a few times we won’t get carried away with it,” he said.
“We’re not even halfway through the season.
“Us and Bury are obviously in a good position but there’s a lot of good teams who are in our league who will take points off others.
“If St Helens have the team who played against us every week they’ll beat a lot of teams.”
The late win over St Helens Town sent Golcar to the summit
Mike Fish was the hero with a spectacular header and Connor reserved praise for the frontman.
“I was pleased Mike Fish came off the bench and scored the winner for us,” he said.
“He’s been out of the team so it is a reward for him.
“He wasn’t in the team against South Liverpool (last week), he was on the bench.”
Ash Flynn has been side-lined recently with a hamstring problem but he is expected to return for Saturday’s trip to AFC Blackpool.