The semi-final draw for the Friends Provident FA Cup has also thrown up two intriguing ties, pitching Premier League heavyweights Peel and St George’s together and treble-hunting St Mary’s away at second-tier Colby.

The match at Douglas Road looks finely poised, with the westerners perhaps heading into the game as the slightest of favourites having won both this season’s encounters between the pair, including December’s Railway Cup final, 3-2.

Both sides secured their place in this stage of the competition with 6-0 wins at the quarter-final stage.

Steve Falconer’s westerners made short work of a potentially tricky tie with second-tier pacesetters Pulrose United, while Geordies scored a notable triumph over Corinthians only last week.

The victory over the 10-man Whites will give Chris Bass Sr’s young charges a timely boost ahead of the weekend’s tie out west.

The Saints have made a mockery of pundits’ pre-season predicitions that they would struggle this term after the loss of several key players in the summer.

Indeed they could yet end up with a couple of pieces of silverware to add to the bulging Glencrutchery Road trophy cabinet and top-four finish in the league.

Peel will also be looking to add to their honours board with success in this and the Hospital Cup as the Railway Cup winners aim for a cup treble.

This is a close match to call and it wouldn’t be a surprise if extra-time and penalties are required to decide who lines up in Easter Saturday’s final.

With Pulrose exiting the competition at the hands of Peel, Colby remain the only Division Two team left in the FA Cup.

The Moonlighters’ cup run has come in the midst of a remarkable run of form that has seen them only lose once in all competitions since the start of December.

This purple patch was extended last week when they beat the top-flight’s bottom side Laxey 5-4 after extra-time.

Adam Fretwell’s southerners hopes of claiming a second Premier League scalp at the Station Grounds in as many weeks look a lot tougher this weekend as they play host to CLPL leaders St Mary’s.

Alex Harrison’s Bowl outfit will go into the fixture as firm favourites, but were made to work hard for their quarter-final win by a resurgent DHSOB.

If the Saints though are at full strength, they should advance past the southerners and continue their quest for a treble into Easter Saturday’s final.