Glossop North End 0, AFC Liverpool 0
It will be of little consolation to Glossop manager Steve Young that from the second half onwards, this was about as entertaining a goalless draw you could wish to see. All that the North End boss will feel is frustration that the Liverpool-supporting visitors defended like their lives depended on it to deny the Hillmen progress into the quarter finals, with a replay now required on February 3.
The first half was the most even period of the game. While Glossop had the lion’s share of possession, chances were few and far between. In fact, it was AFC who had the first chance of the match when Cooper’s punch fell to Judge at the edge of the area, and his volleyed lob just dipped over the bar.
At the other end, Rick Bailey was at the heart of good North End work, and his cross-cum-shot just cleared the bar, and his cross was flicked by Hurst, but the shot was saved low down by Willis.
In the second half though, North End took over the possession and started to create chances. Kay shot across the face of goal, while Hurst met a Young cross at the near post to see it turned behind. All AFC were left with was the odd counter-attack, but only once did they worry the defence when Giwa curled one from the edge of the area, but just over the bar.
The crowd felt that the pressure would surely tell for the home side shortly, and on 72 minutes an almighty goalmouth scramble ensued as Bailey had a shot blocked, Kay’s effort from the edge was also stopped and Bailey’s stab looked a goal until Murphy somehow knocked it off the line and over. Minutes later, Elliott also had a shot cleared off the line.
As time ran out, Bailey cut inside, and the deflected effort looped up for Hamilton to head goalwards, only for Mullen to dive full length and head off the line once more, meaning extra time was needed.
In the added 30 minutes Gorton should have done better when Hamilton presented him with the ball at the edge of the area, but his shot cleared the bar before Parker headed just wide. AFC were out on their feet and any pretence of them scoring was long gone, but they were determined not to concede.
In second half injury time Willis embodied this spirit when getting down brilliantly to deny Young, turning his low placed shot around the post. It meant that Winsford United will have to wait and see who will visit their Barton Stadium for a place in the semi-finals. 
Rick Bailey of Glossop North End is challenged by Conor Murphy of AFC Liverpool.
Photo - GNE/Jim Lockwood
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Glossop North End 2, Mossley 1
After an enforced break, Glossop North End shook off the rustiness to record a fine victory against a Mossley team a division above them, although they had to withstand unrelenting late pressure at the game came to its conclusion.
It had been 5 weeks since the either side had kicked a competitive ball, and after a chance on 20 seconds for Rick Bailey – that hit the side netting – Mossley got the better of the early play, perhaps using the advantage of having played a friendly earlier in the week to regain some sharpness. Former Hillmen Lee Blackshaw put in a wicked cross that McDonagh couldn’t connect with and McDonagh again shot wide from the edge of the area.
However, the game changed on 18 minutes when Darren Hamilton picked up the ball on the right flank. He cut inside to the edge of the ‘D’, but with the ball on his left foot, a pass was expected. Instead he launched a decent shot goalwards, that Collinge made a complete hash of, parrying the ball up and over his own head and clearly over the line, despite a desperate lunge to clear it.
From there, the game became more even, Blackshaw jinking into the box and shooting over, whilst O’Brien met a corner with a powerful header that just went over the bar. Glossop began to edge the possession, with Bailey attempting to get involved at all times, and it was he who netted the second right on half time.
Picking up the ball in his own half at the edge of the centre circle, he set off on a trademark run towards goal. But instead of the Mossley defence attempting to tackle, they anticipated a pass, Hurst and Elliott dragging away defenders as they peeled to the flanks, and Kay stepping up to play them offside. It left a huge chasm in the Mossley defence that Bailey took the ball through to get a clear run on goal. He expertly rounded the keeper and scored.
The second half was ticking along with only one serious attempt on goal – a Matt Cooper diving interception - before North End switched off to allow Mossley a goal. The visitors were allowed too much time to pass the ball around the defence and find Matt Kay in space in the area, and his finish was clinical. There were 25 minutes left to grab that equaliser.
At first Glossop tried to grab a third, forcing a couple of corners, but they began to get deeper, and suddenly weren’t holding the ball as well as they had, inviting pressure on themselves. Graham Kay headed wide from a corner, Cooper’s fingertips denied Neequaye and a succession of corners followed one of which saw a header cleared off the line by Jamie Kay. Neequaye had the final chance, in the 5th minute of injury time, which went just over the bar, after which the referee called time, to the relief of the Glossop support and putting them into the semi finals.
Glossop – Cooper, Young, J Kay, Morris, Yates, O’Brien (Parker), Bailey, Elliott, Hurst (Braine), Hamilton (Bailey), Oakes. Sub not used – Williams
Mossley – Collinge, Richardson, Russell, G Kay, Boothby, Allen, Settle (Watson), M Kay, McDonagh, Moore, Blackshaw (Neequaye). Subs not used – Goodeve, McIwaine
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