FIVE of the borough’s football clubs can put their league programmes to one side as they prepare for Saturday’s second qualifying round of the FA Cup.

Hyde United, Curzon Ashton, Mossley, Droylsden and Stalybridge Celtic are all in action, knowing that victory puts them within two games of the first round proper and a possible draw against a Coca-Cola Football League side.

Hyde’s caretaker management pair of Neil Tolson and Chris Brass take the Tigers to Whitley Bay, aiming to atone for Monday’s Cheshire Cup defeat against Congleton Town at Ewen Fields.

The Tigers were without six players on Monday and also lost Chris Simm to injury five minutes before the break, but face a side currently mid-table in division one of the skilltrainingltd Northern League.

Fresh from their first Blue Square North defeat of the season last Saturday, Droylsden face a Bradford Park Avenue side containing several former Bloods including Jon Worsnop, Ged Murphy, Carl Ruffer, Danny Warner, Mark Hotte and Neil Hall.

They currently lie seventh in the UniBond League Premier Division following a 1-0 defeat against Ilkeston Town.

Also at home are Stalybridge Celtic, hoping to transfer their impressive away form into victory against Farsley Celtic.

The two sides met in league action three weeks ago, the Celts running out 3-2 winners thanks to Chris Williams, Georges Santos’ own goal and Andrew Smart.

Curzon’s 3-1 victory against Radcliffe Borough on Monday means they can be confident heading to Stocksbridge Park Steels, while Mossley travel to Kendal Town, Ashton United’s conquerors in the last round.

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