A non-league team will come up against the under 21’s side of a professional outfit in the semi-final of the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Men’s Senior Cup.
Step six side Worsbrough Bridge will play Barnsley under 21’s in the coming weeks, as they eye up a possible trophy lift.
The non-league outfit comes into the game with four successive wins, with Barnsley coming into the fixture after winning two games on the spin.
Chairman Mark Booth cannot fault the players performance and determination this season, as they look to end their 36 year stay in the Northern Counties East League Division One (NCEL D1).
Mr Booth said: “They are undoubtably the best squad of players at my time at the football club, they have a desire to win unlike any set of players I have been connected to, and the dressing room is rock solid.
“They are a pleasure to be around and everyone of them plays for the club, no prima donnas or mercenaries just a group of mates that want to win for each other and for the club and it’s supporters.”
As well as the players, manager Lee Morris has had an undeniable impact on their ever-increasing form, and for Mr Booth there is no one better placed to take the team to the top.
He said: “Without doubt we have the most underrated management team in the league, what they have done over the last 2 seasons with arguably one of the smallest budgets in the league is outstanding.”
There is a large buzz around the club, however coming up against a professional side’s academy is no easy task, and Mr Booth is remaining realistic yet hopeful as he said: “We are underdogs, but to be in with a shot at reaching a final of a major cup competition, one of the oldest in the world is something we are proud of.”
Awaiting them in the final is either Rossington Main, who are in a relegation battle in the league above the Briggers, or Worksop Town, who have won the cup in the last two seasons, as well as three out of the last four.
The second semi-final will not be played for another month, so the Briggers or Barnsley will have a lengthy wait to find our their opposition.
Mr Booth said: “We have a 1 in 4 chance of the lifting the trophy and I know that the players will be giving it absolutely everything.”
Worsbrough Bridge sit third in the NCEL D1, and are well placed to mount a promotion push toward the back end of the season.
A cup triumph and a promotion would be a season for a history books however Mr Booth says they are not getting “Carried away just yet, we have put ourselves in a position to have a crack at the play off’s and on the day, we know anything can happen.”
A huge part of non-league football and the success of the Bridge is the loyal fans that show up week in and week out, and Mr Booth has sent a plea to fans to get behind them in the closing stages.
He said: “With 10 league games (possibly more if we reach the play offs) and a Semi Final of the Cup to look forward I would just ask that the fans continue to encourage the players, cheer them and support them, even on days when it is not going how we want it, as they can play a massive part in the coming weeks.
“Remember we dare to dream.”
