With the conclusion of the North and South cup groups, we now progress onto the quarter-finals of the ESPFA Cup. Four teams from both the North and South have come out on top in their groups and will all battle it out for a chance of silverware.
Mickleover v Runcorn Linnets
After being crowned champions of the North Division, Runcorn Linnets continued their success by topping the North Cup group. They meet Mickleover in the quarter-finals who enjoyed a five-game unbeaten streak in the North Cup until it was ended by Runcorn Linnets in their last game. The 4-0 victory for Runcorn will give them a boost in confidence going into this quarter-final but Mickleover could learn from their mistakes and come back with a huge performance to topple the North Division champions. Mickleover will also have the added bonus of home advantage but keeping this free scoring Runcorn Linnets side at bay will be no easy task.
Witton Albion v Skelmersdale United
After a disappointing North Division campaign to their high standards, Witton Albion have been a revelation in the North Cup. Five wins from seven games saw them finish second in the group and progress to the quarter-finals full of confidence. Their opponent’s season has almost gone the opposite way and after an impressive North Division campaign where they finished second, Skelmersdale United sneaked into the top four of the North Cup group via goal difference. Both sides go into this match with a point to prove and they will be desperate to extend their season.
Rushall Olympic (Amber) v Yate Town
Yate Town face the tough task of facing the South Division champions in the quarter-final but have had an impressive cup run so far. They have picked up eight points from their five cup fixtures and only tasted defeat on one occasion. Unfortunately for the #ESPFASouthGloucestershire side, that one defeat came at the hands of Rushall Olympic (Amber). The home side, like Runcorn Linnets backed up their division win by finishing first in the South Cup group. Rushall Olympic (Amber) won four out of five games to top the table and will go into this fixture confident that they can progress to semi-finals.
Kidlington v Chesham United
After pushing Rushall Olympic (Amber) close in the title race and finished second in the South Division, once again The Greens couldn’t quite topple the #ESPFAWestMidlands team and finished second once again. They do boast the best defence and goal difference in the South Cup after conceding just three goals in five fixtures. If they can get their attackers firing, then there is no reason why they can’t progress to the semi-final. Chesham United were the early leaders in the South Cup group and after three games they were looking strong. Two defeats in their last two games saw them drop to fourth in the south cup, but with some very good players at their disposal and silverware at stake, Kidlington will have to be at the top of their game to beat them.