CASTLE AND STOKE MEET IN BATTLE TO BOOK FINAL PLACE
THE first Sentinel Cup semi-final takes place this evening. Newcastle Town Under-18s are set to take on AFC Stoke Under-17s in the last four of the competition at Wellbeing Park, Yarnfield.
Castle have enjoyed a great season and are unbeaten in 13 matches in the Staffordshire Midweek Floodlit League.
The management team consists of Gavin Appleby, Neil Hanscomb, Dave Turner, Simon Billings and Paul Darlington and they are well versed in this competition having won it in seven of the last eight seasons.
They have displayed some impressive form in the cup this year after winning 3-0 at Leek CSOB Under-17s in their first-round tie.
And they then found their shooting boots to put 10 past Biddulph Town Rovers Under-17s without replay in the quarter-finals.
AFC Stoke, who play in the North Staffs Junior Youth League, have starred in the cup.
They won 4-2 at Eccleshall Eagles Under-17s in round one, before winning 3-1 at Kidsgrove Athletic Spartans in their most recent encounter.
Most of the players have been together since they were under-nines - and the club is continuing to expand with teams as young as under-sixes.
This season’s final will be at the bet365 Stadium at a date still to be confirmed. Tonight’s match kicks off at 7pm and all spectators are welcome. Admission is priced at
£3 for adults and £2 for concessions.
· FORMER Stoke City manager Gary Rowett has returned to Birmingham City for a second spell. Rowett has been drafted in until the end of the season to help the Blues avoid relegation from the Championship. Manager Tony Mowbray has been on medical leave and assistant Mark Venus has only picked up one point from six matches.
That has left Birmingham outside the relegation zone on goal difference - and they have turned to Rowett to save their season.