Ferryhill Athletic manager Mark Fanning enjoyed a double tonic last week! A holiday in Spain was rounded off with the news that his side had reached their first semi final since the club was reformed in 1998.

"I was at Malaga Airport last Saturday afternoon when I received the news of our victory over Cleadon SC in the semi final of the Monkwearmouth Charity Cup. It was the perfect ending to my holiday and I cannot wait to get back into action," enthused Fanning who, together with assistant Peter Denton, took over at Dene Bank in the early weeks of the season.

It has certainly been a baptism of fire for the pair. Just three wins in 18 attempts has plunged the team to second from bottom but Fanning is optimistic that better times are on the horizon.

"We have given some encouraging performances but we have been unable to show consistency. "Nevertheless, the signs are there and last week's result will have done the lads' confidence no harm at all.

"Our aim now must be to ensure that we do not finish the season as wooden spoonists. Ideally, I would like to see us move up the table but this will be a tall order since Barnard Castle Glaxo are seven points better off than us.

"Last week's victory though gives us the chance to reach a final. We will be the under-dogs in the semis regardless of who we play but it is just great to be in the last four and who knows what might happen," said Fanning.

Jarrow, with just two points from 19 games, also believe that they will finish the season on a more successful note. Stokesley SC were firm favourites to win last week's game and enhance their chances of carrying off the championship but surprisingly Jarrow twice led and thought that they were unlucky not to take all three points.

"The players are learning and gaining in experience and without doubt last Saturday's performance was the best since I took over," declared manager Mick Hutchinson.

The boss has brought in a number of new players including Stuart Anderson who scored his third goal in as many appearances last Saturday but Hutchinson was also quick to point to the contributions of Stephen Dunn, Chris Morrell, Martin Nugent, Andrew Bonner and Mark Brown, who has returned after spending time in Australia.

Hutchinson said: "I believe we have turned the corner and I don't just base my belief on the display against Stokesley. I thought we were the best side during the first-half against leaders North Shields recently and if we maintain the form we have shown, we may escape finishing at the bottom."