McIlroy the odd man out

NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Two routes to Wembley take pride of place in this weekend's non- League programme, writes Rupert Metcalf. The semi-final ties in the FA Vase are completed, while the FA Umbro Trophy reaches the last-eight stage.

Only four GM Vauxhall Conference sides remain in the Trophy: Kidderminster entertain Altrincham while the GMVC leaders, Macclesfield, are at home to the Trophy holders, Woking. Macclesfield's manager, the former Manchester United and Northern Ireland midfielder, Sammy McIlroy, is the odd man out among the managers of these four sides. Although he played at the national stadium several times, he is the only one of the four not to have tasted success there as a manager. Kidderminster's Graham Allner, Altrincham's John King and Geoff Chapple of Woking have all triumphed in Trophy finals.

In the other Trophy quarter-finals tomorrow, Marine entertain Hyde United while Enfield are home to Rushden and Diamonds, whose Northamptonshire neighbours, Raunds, are well placed to secure a Wembley trip - they defend a 3-0 lead at Arlesey in tomorrow's second-leg Vase semi-final tie. Sunday's semi will be much tighter: Belper take a 1-0 advantage to Oxford City.