NESTL Rowntree can set the record straight when they face Cargo Fleet Social Club in their replayed North Riding County Cup semi-final at Mile Crux.

Having originally lost the tie 2-0, Nestl have been handed a lifeline after the North Riding FA ordered the match to be replayed as Cargo Fleet had fielded an unregistered player.

The situation is a reversal of last season when it was Nestl, who were forced to replay their tie against Kirkbymoorside. Nestl lost the replay, with The 'Moors going on to win the cup.

And assistant-boss Jon Reynolds is hoping history can repeat itself in his side's favour.

"We've been handed a chance and it is up to us to take it," said Reynolds. "We know what they are like, they are a good physical side.

"We matched them, but we've got to take it a stage further.

"I feel for them in these circumstances, as it happened to us against Kirkbymoorside last season.

"We played a lad we had just signed and were forced to replay the match. Kirkbymoorside went on to beat us and then win in the final, so hopefully history can repeat itself for us."

Awaiting the winners in the final are Stokesley, with the match scheduled for March 20 at Guisborough FC.

"We are not thinking that far yet," added Reynolds. "We will have to beat Cargo before we can start thinking of finals."

Harrogate Town face the most crucial spell of their treble challenge, with two semi-finals in three days.

The Wetherby Road club have been set the aim of 'doing a Manchester United' this season and they will get the chance of booking their first final when they entertain Droylsden in the UniBond League Chairman's Cup.

And on Tuesday night they will be in the last four again when Liversedge are the visitors in the West Riding County Cup.

Droylsden will offer Town the most testing challenge, with the Manchester-based club currently sitting in mid-table in the premier division.

However, higher-placed opposition have never held any fear for John Reed's division one leaders - with them beating Bamber Bridge in the quarter-finals, while taking the scalps of Runcorn and Worksop on their way to last season's final.

"These lads are capable of beating any side, from here to the top of the Conference," said Reed. "On our day we can beat anyone, but if we are not on top form then Droylsden are the sort of side who can certainly punish us."

Reed is set to give a debut to 19-year-old Hartlepool loanee Brian Ross, while, with memories of last season's competition in mind, goalkeeper Adam Mitchell has been added to the bench.

Last season's semi-final against Chris Waddle's Worksop saw Town forced to play the majority of the game with Kevin Severn between the sticks after Chris Hill picked up an injury.

"What a job Kevin did, he came in and managed to keep them out," added Reed. "But I don't think we'll take that risk again."

Updated: 12:07 Friday, March 08, 2002