The semi-final draw for the 2024/25 FA Trophy has been made with just four sides left in the competition and Wembley just 90 minutes away, but of the remaining sides who stands the best chance of winning the tournament?
Rochdale head into the semi-final stage as the highest ranked side left in the tournament as they remain in the hunt for the top seven, whilst their opponents (Spennymoor Town) are the lowest ranked side and play in the National League North.
Meanwhile, Aldershot Town host bitter rivals Woking in the other semi-finals which should bring plenty of fireworks and entertainment.
The ties will take place on Saturday 5th April, with the two winning sides heading to the final at Wembley Stadium to become the latest name on the trophy following Gateshead’s triumph last season.
With that said, let’s take a look at each sides route to the semi-finals so far, their current form and their strengths and weaknesses from the campaign thus far.
Semi-final draw in full:
- Rochdale AFC Vs Spennymoor Town
- Aldershot Town Vs Woking FC
Both ties will be a singular leg fixture only, with the tie heading immediately for penalties should the game be level after 90 minutes.
The two winners will face off at Wembley Stadium in May.
Rochdale AFC:
Kicking off with the highest-ranked side left in the competition, Jimmy McNulty’s Rochdale are currently 10th in the National League and could climb into the top seven should they win their games in-hand.
Route to the final:
| Round Three | Leamington FC 2-0 Rochdale |
| Round Four | Rochdale 0(4)-0(3) Stockton Town |
| Round Five | Worthing FC 1-2 Rochdale AFC |
| Quarter-Finals | Rochdale 2-0 Altrincham |
| Semi-Finals | Rochdale Vs Spennymoor Town |
Current form:
Rochdale may have suffered just one defeat in their last seven matches (4-0 defeat against league leaders Barnet), but they’ve also only won once which was the clash against Altrincham.
The side have therefore drew five times including a goalless draw against bottom side Ebbsfleet United, which is a cause for concern and has saw them drop out of the play-off places.
Strengths:
Rochdale have a squad full of talent and have enough on paper to go all the way and win the competition.
Star defender Sam Beckwith has continued to impress since his summer switch from Maidenhead Untied and could play a vital role.
Kairo Mitchell has also hit double figures for the club this season and will be a difficult player for Spennymoor Town to try and contain.
Weaknesses:
The club have the 12th-best home record in the National League, winning just twice at Spotland since the turn of the year.
Their lack of recent victories matched with tough upcoming games against the likes of Gateshead, Oldham Athletic and Altrincham could place a further dent in their form heading into their semi-final clash.
Similarly, the club will be playing with the expectation of being tournament favourites whilst their opponents are the lowest-ranked side left and that could cause a huge upset.
Woking FC
Despite staring a relegation battle in the face previously, Neal Ardley has transformed their season of late and now are just 90 minutes away from returning to Wembley Stadium once again – though they haven’t necessarily had a tough run to the semi-finals.
Route to the final:
| Round Three | Woking 3(4)-3(3) Havant & Waterlooville |
| Round Four | Woking 4-0 Radcliffe |
| Round Five | Gainsborough Trinity 0-3 Woking |
| Quarter-Finals | Oxford City 2(1)-2(2) Woking |
| Semi-Finals | Aldershot Town Vs Woking |
Current form:
Since mid-December, Woking have lost just one of their last 15 matches in all competitions, which came against title-challengers York City.
Ardley’s side are unbeaten in five matches, but needed penalties for a second time in the tournament in order to squeeze past National League North side Oxford City.
Strengths:
Woking have experienced plenty of success within the FA Trophy, winning it on three separate occasions as well as making the final too.
Form wise, Woking look significantly better than they managed earlier in the campaign and have picked up some eye-catching results against the likes of Solihull Moors, Forest Green Rovers and Altrincham.
Loanee Inih Effiong has also hit the ground running upon his return to the club, scoring three goals in his last four matches and will be full of confidence.
Weaknesses:
As mentioned above, Woking are yet to face a team of equal level to themselves in the tournament, which could play a factor against Aldershot.
Similarly, they are the form side heading into a key rivalry which again will add to the pressure and expectation of the side.
Woking have also won just two of their previous 13 matches against Aldershot Town and that is a mental factor that could come into affect.
Aldershot Town:
Tommy Widdrington’s Aldershot Town have had a disappointing campaign compared to the 2023/24 season, but are just a rival win away from going to Wembley Stadium.
Route to the final:
| Round Three | Aldershot Town 3-1 Wealdstone |
| Round Four | Aldershot Town 8-0 Chertsey Town |
| Round Five | Aldershot Town 2-0 Boreham Wood |
| Quarter-Finals | Sittingbourne 0-3 Aldershot Town |
| Semi-Finals | Aldershot Town Vs Woking |
Current form:
Despite winning just eight league games all season, Aldershot have won three matches on the spin across all competitions and find themselves just one place below their opponents at the time of writing.
Ryan Jones has picked up form with two goals in two games, whilst Josh Barrett’s season has been full of positives.
Strengths:
In terms of the competition, Aldershot have picked up three clean sheets on the spin and their recent league form also gives them a huge boost in confidence.
As mentioned, Jones has been a key part of the Shots’ season redemption recently and will cause Woking problems.
Similarly, their recent record of Woking will give them a mental boost heading into the game, especially knowing their home form has played a key part in their rise to the semi-final stage.
Weaknesses:
Although they won their last shootout it was back in December 2023, whilst Woking have already won twice on penalties this tournament alone.
The lack of a proper goalscorer up front could also be an area of concern for Aldershot Town and that could see them target someone before the transfer window closes.
Woking have strengthened their qualities on the ball under Neal Ardley, but the Shots have only won 36.1% of their ground duels this season which could see them increasingly likely to lose a midfield battle.
Spennymoor Town:
Finishing with the lowest-ranked side left in the competition, Spennymoor Town are 12th in the National League North, but are just another upset away from going to Wembley stadium.
Route to the final:
| Round Two | Spennymoor Town 2-1 South Shields |
| Round Three | Alfreton Town 0-1 Spennymoor Town |
| Round Four | Hampton & Richmond 0-2 Spennymoor Town |
| Round Five | Spennymoor Town 2(3)-2(1) Boston United |
| Quarter-Finals | Sutton United 0-2 Spennymoor Town |
| Semi-Finals | Rochdale Vs Spennymoor Town |
Current form:
Talking of teams in form, Spennymoor Town have also picked up a strong run of form since the turn of the year despite finding themselves mid-table in the National League North.
The club have won six of their last seven matches in all competitions, whilst scoring 16 times and keeping two clean sheets.
Strengths:
Being the lowest-ranked side left in the tournament means they can go into the game, likely backed by a big away following and focus on the football rather than rising to expectation.
Forward Glen Taylor is into double figures for the season, whilst Robert Ramshaw has 11 G/As to his tally in league action.
Spennymoor also have EFL experience in their ranks such as goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell and the versatile Mitch Hancox which can help ease any nerves the team may have.
Weaknesses:
The club have conceded an average of 1.2 goals per game this season which suggests initially that they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet.
Spennymoor have also missed two of their four league penalties thus far, which could be a mental factor that can come into effect should the tie make it to the shootout.
With Rochdale having a lot of quality in their squad, there is a likelihood that Spennymoor will be forced into giving up possession and absorbing heaps of pressure throughout the match.
Readers, who do you think will win the 2024/25 FA Trophy?