The league is obviously our main priority, but another trophy wouldn't hurt, and it would make this great season even better

Our 3-0 win against Richmond saw starting debuts handed to Kiren Uppal and Lewis McDonald, and they both produced decent performances as we progressed

Lewis arguably did have the quieter game, with Richmond barely attacking, unsurprisingly considering the disparity between them and us.

Goals from Brad Fewster, John Howard and Mark Anderson sealed that performance for us, though it was not an easy one.

Since that win, we have also finished off the month with a 100% record, including Saturday’s 6-2 win against Newton Aycliffe, as well as the thrilling 4-3 win against Garforth

The remaining sides in this competition all sit below us in the pyramid, though Yarm & Eaglescliffe do seem to be a threat, having knocked out both York City and Scarborough Athletic.

Whoever they face in the semi-finals is going to be in for a tricky match, with the other 3 teams being one of:

Us or Grangetown

Redcar Town or Boro Rangers

and Northallerton Town

In terms of our performances, though, things have been solid, though we are still waiting for 3 league clean sheets in a row, though we are also conceding less than we score by a heavy margin, shipping just 5 so far this year (Yes, I know it has only been a month).

Onto our opponents, and they reached this stage of the competition by beating Whitby Town’s U18s 3-0, a result that included 2 strikes in the final 15 minutes, similar to how our goals came in the final 20 minutes

Currently sitting 18th in their league, the Boysie have had a varied few weeks, picking up a 3-0 win vs Park View and a 3-1 win vs Billingham Synthonia, whilst alos suffering a 2-1 defeat to Redcar Town, before suffering a 5-1 thrashing against Chester-Le-Street on the 17th of Jan

Just two matches played this year, 4 scored, and 5 conceded, means Grangetown’s 2026 could go either way.

Our match is their only away game up until Valentine’s Day, with Durham United and AFC Newbiggin to visit the B&W Lifting Stadium in the coming weeks

This is also Grangetown’s 2nd ever season at this level, and they are lucky to still be here, having ben handed a reprieve from relegation at the end of the 2024-25 campaign

Finishing on just 22 points, they managed to remain in the league, with the now-defunct Bedlington Terriers being demoted instead

Grangetown don’t seem to be heading down this season either, with the three relgation spots being occupied by Billingham Syntoniha, who were handed a 6 point deduction earlier this season, Tow Law Town, who had finished bottom of Div 1 last season, and Esh Wining, who finished 4 points outside of the play-offs last season, but are now cemented to the foot of the league on just 12 points

There aren’t a vast number of stats and facts left for Grangetown, which does leave a slight ambiguity towards how tomorrow night will go

But at the same time, here’s hoping we get to progress to the semi-finals

If you’re unable to make that match, then there will be live updates on our X page.

But as always, take care, and up the Steelmen!

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