Millom will be sailing into the unknown when they host Longshaw in the second round of the Lancashire Amateur Cup tomorrow, a challenge their manager Danny Pattinson is relishing.

The match at Hanna Field will be first time ever these two sides have met, meaning any information either have about the other will be extremely limited.

Nonetheless, Millom will head into the tie in confident mood, having lost once just once in their last six games in Division One of the West Lancashire League.

After adapting well to a higher level, following last season’s promotion, Pattinson’s players are now up against a side whose bread-and-butter is the East Lancs League.

Pattinson said: “They don’t know us and we don’t know them, which is kind of a bit like the Shield last season, when we played a couple of teams who we didn’t know anything about.

“It was good, really, because you just went in and played your own game instead of being wary of anyone or worrying about how they were playing.

“You just stuck to your tactics and your game plan and I think they play in the same league a couple of teams who’ve recently been in the West Lancs, Burnley United and Feniscowles, and they’re holding their own in that league.

“It’ll be a tough test for us, but it’s a break from the league campaign, which we’ve settled in nicely to, and it’s always nice to go on a good little cup run.”

Millom’s recent upturn in form, including last week’s battling 2-1 win at Wyre Villa, has coincided with them getting players back, with Pattinson having some tough selection decisions to make.

He’s already delighted with the performances from his brother Jamie, summer arrival Harry Cowley and youngster Jordan Brumby, who is making the left wing-back position his own.

On the players he’s welcoming back, Pattinson said: “We’ve got a couple of lads back from cricket, now their season is finished, in Oliver Pachul and Drew Postlethwaite.

We’ve got Craig Redhead available for us again, who’s obviously played at a higher standard and is a decent player for us in the back three.

“Otis Holliday is back this weekend and then we’ve got the likes of Theo Wilson, so these lads are coming back in now.

“I’m reluctant to change the side because we’re playing well, but there are people knocking on the door looking for places, so there’s some decent competition right across the board.”

Among the other cup ties this weekend, Walney Island make the trip to Ashtonians, while Hawcoat Park host Moston Brook.