National League side Rochdale host National League North side Spennymoor in the FA Trophy semi-final, with the winner playing Woking or Aldershot at Wembley.
Leamington 0-2 Rochdale
Rochdale 0-0 Stockton - Rochdale Win On Penalties
Worthing 1-2 Rochdale
Rochdale 2-0 Altrincham
Rochdale are the furthest they have been in the competition - as this is only their second time playing in the FA Trophy. Dale were relegated to non-league for the first time in their history in 2023, and were eliminated in the third round last season. Jim McNulty's side are in a good position to return to the Football League, currently sat in sixth position, two points clear of the chasing pack with a game in hand.
Spotland has been a happy hunting ground for Rochdale, taking 36 points from 20 games. Only the top three in the league have taken more points. A 2-3 loss to relegation threatened Boston United and 0-4 home defeat to York perhaps worried some of the Dale faithful, but a resounding 4-0 win over Aldershot and a 1-1 draw at Woking restored clarity.
With 14 league goals this season - the same tally he ended on last season, Kairo Mitchell is the hosts key man. The 27-year-old scored a brace in the 1-2 win at Worthing in the fifth round.
Spennymoor 2-1 South Shields
Alfreton 0-1 Spennymoor
Hampton & Richmond Borough 0-2 Spennymoor
Spennymoor 2-2 Boston United - Spennymoor win on Penalties
Sutton United 0-2 Spennymoor Town
Spennymoor come into this game as big underdogs, owing to the fact that they are the league below their hosts. The Moors were only founded 20 years ago, so their rise has been monumental and another trip to Wembley will top everything off. Graeme Lee's side have not had it easy so far, having to defeat three teams at their level before wins against Boston and Sutton who are in the National League.
Five wins from six games has put the National League North playoffs within touching distance. Spennymoor are sat three points off Hereford and Curzon Ashton, but must also overtake Buxton and and Kings Lynn first in their conquest to reach the National League for the first time in their history.
Spennymoor won the FA Vase in 2013, so have winning experience at Wembley and will be hoping to channel that big game experience to help them defy the odds again and beat Rochdale.
Once Glen Taylor retires he will go down as one of the clubs greatest ever players. The 34-year-old has reached double figures for goals again this year, surpassing 200 goals in a Moors' shirt. Taylor scored a brace away at Hampton and Richmond in the fourth round, before scoring against Boston in the fifth and both goals in the quarter final win at Sutton.
Score Prediction: 2-0 Rochdale
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