ESPFA MATCHWEEK REVIEW - #MatchweekEleven

With 12 fixtures being played and the conclusion of the Southern Division on Thursday, #MatchweekEleven was a pivotal week in deciding the potential winners for the Northern and Midlands Division.

Monday 10th May - #MatchweekEleven

Northern Division

With three fixtures from the Northern Division being played on Monday, it really had the potential to decide the division title, with four teams still in the hunt before #MatchweekEleven kicked off. A win for Runcorn Linnets would have put them in pole position for the title but fell at the hands of Mossley in a thrilling 5-3 game which kept Mossley’s title hopes alive. Ossett United capitalised on Runcorn dropping points and secured a classy 1-2 win over Radcliffe, with goals coming from Fre Tewolde and Bailey Hall. This win meant that Ossett would be just one point behind Runcorn Linnets, with a game in hand also. Witton Albion picked up their second win of the season in their penultimate game vs Brighouse Town. Witton travelled to Brighouse and put on an entertaining fixture which finished 2-6 to the visitors. In what was Brighouse Towns last game of the season, they will be disappointed with not ending on a high but are confirmed to be finishing sixth.

Midlands Division

In the final fixture from Monday’s games, Mickleover (Black) welcomed Carlton Town for their last game of the season. Before kick-off the sides were level on nine points and currently occupying the fourth and fifth spot in the league respectively. Mickleover (Black) may have had the upper hand with a better goal difference but Carlton had another game to play on Thursday, so this was an essential game to win for the home side if they wanted to keep on to that fourth spot in the table. That was exactly what they did and in a very close and cagey game, Mickleover (Black) just pipped them to a 2-1 win. Carlton will need to win their next game by eight goals to have a chance of leap frogging Mickleover (Black) in fourth.

Thursday 13th May - #MatchweekEleven

Northern Division

In the Northern Division, Runcorn Linnets bounced back from defeat on Monday with a 1-3 win against Ossett United to officially end their title run. With the goals spread out between Taylor Kelly, Lucas Wilson and Harvey Wood, it was a real team effort by Runcorn to get the three points and put one hand on the title. Skelmersdale United ended Mossley’s late title charge with a 0-3 win with Nathan Carnell scoring a brace. Skelmersdale United now are the only team that can mathematically catch Runcorn Linnets at the top of the table, but it would take two huge wins as they remain six points behind Runcorn Linnets and 12 goals behind them on goal difference. Radcliffe put in a brilliant performance and put six passed Witton Albion. Five different goal scorers were on the scoresheet with Blake Duxbury scoring a brace. Unfortunately for Witton there was no ending on a high in their last game of the season.

Midlands Division

Mickleover (Red) are inches way from snatching the division title out of Stafford Rangers hands after an excellent 4-0 win against first-place Stafford. Despite Stafford Rangers leading the division all season, Mickleover (Red) just need to avoid defeat in their last game of the season to be crowned Midlands Division champions. In what was set up to be an excellent game for the neutrals and despite having a man sent off around the 20-minute mark, Mickleover (Red) bossed the game from start to finish. Mickleover (Red) student Bobby Battisson was very pleased with his sides performance and believes they can get the job done in their next game to secure the title. He said: “It’s a must win really isn’t it. We should be able to do it, we’ll get the win, get the result and win the league.”

In the other game taking place in the Midlands Division, Carlton Town notched their fourth win of the season against Rushall Olympic (Amber) in their last game of the season. In a nine-goal thriller, Carlton secured the points with a 5-4 victory and finish the season in fifth place.

Southern Division

In the final round of fixtures for the Southern Division, Chesham United rounded off a brilliant campaign and completed a perfect season, winning 10 games out of 10. A routine 0-3 win over Kidlington started with a brilliant gesture from the home team, who gave the Southern Division champions a guard of honour before the game. Rushall Olympic (Black) leapfrogged Kidlington and finish the season in third place after a 4-3 win over Swindon Supermarine. Rushall lead at half-time 2-1 and came out of the blocks quick in the second half with Jordan Hobbs putting the home side 4-1 up before the 60-minute mark. Swindon’s second half comeback was just too little too late and couldn’t find the late equaliser. Yate Town rounded off an impressive season with a 1-4 win away to Frome Town and finish the campaign as the division’s highest scorers. Goals from Lewis Bryan (2), Keane Ashwood and Natalio Stella confirmed the victory for Yate Town who finish in second place.

#MatchweekEleven - Team of the Week

Congratulations to all students who have been nominated by their coaches for the #TeamOfTheWeek and a special mention to Mossley student Isaac Lopes, who has been awarded 'Player of the Week!' for his performances in #MatchweekEleven.