Guisborough boss Chris Hardy says his side will be unfazed about whichever line-up League Two York City decide to go with in tonight’s North Riding Senior Cup semi-final.
The Priorymen continue their defence of the trophy they won last season at the KGV Stadium this evening and take a 13-match unbeaten run and second place in the Northern League into the last four tie (7.45pm).
“I’ve had a look about, but I’m not too sure what they will decide to go with,” Hardy said.
“On the one hand it’s nice to know, but on the other hand we are playing well and I’m sure we have the ability to beat whatever team they bring.”
Guisborough beat Middlesbrough Under-21s 1-0 in last season’s final and have beaten Stokesley and Whinney Banks to move one win away from the 2014/15 showpiece.
Hardy said: “It’s a good competition and a winnable one, as we’ve shown. And being in a semi-final is motivation in itself.”
Danny Earl, Peter Bulmer and Damien Stevens are all missing for the home side.
Northern League second division Thornaby are also aiming for a North Riding Senior Cup upset tonight as they play a Scarborough Athletic side sitting fourth in Evo-Stik First Division North in a rearranged quarter-final at Bridlington (8pm).
The winners will play Boro Under-21s in the semi-finals following their 6-1 win over Marske last week.
“It’s the biggest game of the season for us,” said Thornaby manager Paul Edwards.
“We aren’t going to finish in the top three and it’s a chance to reach a semi-final or final.
“And there is no bigger incentive than a game against Middlesbrough, especially as five or six of our lads used to play for them.
“Scarborough will be favourites to win if they play their best side, but we’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.”
Matty Crossen and Joe Melvin are cup-tied for Thornaby, but Ged Livingstone will start in attack after re-signing from Guisborough.
Billingham Synthonia boss Conrad Hillerby is taking his side’s Northern League Cup trip to Shildon tomorrow night seriously, even though fighting off the threat of relegation remains the priority.
Synners have won five of their last six and although fitness issues will play a factor, Hillerby is not planning to rotate his side too much for the third round tie.
“We’ve had a good run and we want to maintain it, because we’ve settled into winning ways,” said the former Norton boss.
“Shildon are arguably one of the best teams in the league
“We’ve got a few knocks and scrapes but we’ve got lads to come in.”
John Alexander and Ross McNab are cup-tied, Andrew Burton is unavailable and former Hartlepool United midfelder Josh Rowbotham is a doubt with the sore ankle he suffered against Crook.
On-loan Sunderland Academy goalkeeper Peter Burke will be looking for a third clean sheet however and Synners are signing another keeper, Guy Craggs.
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