With the first round of fixtures from the 2020/21 ESPFA season behind us, we now look forward to #MatchweekTwo that will be sure to have as much drama and action as last week.
Key Matchup
In #MatchweekTwo of the ESPFA season, the key matchup of the week comes from the Southern Division as Kidlington host Swindon Supermarine.
The home team will be looking to get their season up and running after they let a 0-2 lead slip to Chesham United last week who came back to win 4-3. Swindon on the other hand got their campaign off to a flyer after they travelled to Frome Town and beat the somerset based side 1-5. Kidlington have a new coach this year in Redd Pratley, who will be eager to put his individual stamp on the side. When speaking to the ESPFA he said: “I believe I have the opportunity to do something really special this year and I am excited to see what [the lads] can achieve both on and off the pitch. I think if they approach the whole season in the same manner they’ve approached preseason, they’ll hopefully be in a position to improve as both a team and individuals”. Despite losing in their first game of the season last week, Kidlington will be confident going into the game after coming out on top when the sides met last year. In their home game last October, Kidlington ran out as 3-1 winners thanks to goals from Tyler Harris-Doe, Kam King and Steven Soares. In a closely contested game at Swindon’s home ground in February, neither side could claim the three points with the sides drawing 1-1. The teams also met in the SLFA Cup quarter final back in December where ‘The Greens’ were once again the victors, winning 3-2 and progressing to the semi-finals. When speaking about the previous games vs Swindon Supermarine, Kidlington Academy captain Ellis Mathews said: “All of our games that have been against Swindon have always been interesting considering the rivalry and I feel like the games last year [shows] it will be a battle of will and passion but not every game is predictable so we’ll have to see who’s more up to it.”
Northern Division
Ossett United v Witton Albion
Two unfamiliar opponents face each other on Thursday as Witton Albion, who played in the JOMA Division last year, travel up to Ossett United, who competed in the Sports Traider Division. Ossett United started their 2020/21 ESPFA season well last week after Carl Clarkson netted twice in a 0-2 win in the West Yorkshire derby vs Brighouse Town. Witton Albion didn’t get off to the start they were hoping to after they were thwarted by a resilient Runcorn Linnets side who were able to grind out a 2-1 win.
Runcorn v Radcliffe
Two first half goals were enough for Runcorn Linnets to see the game out for a win when they hosted Witton Albion last week. They will be hoping for another three points when Radcliffe visit on Thursday and will be optimistic about the game after they won 3-1 in the same fixture last year. Radcliffe, who lost their first game of the season last week against rivals Mossley will travel over to Merseyside in search of their first points of the season.
Brighouse Town v Mossley
With an impressive win against Greater Manchester rivals Radcliffe last week, Mossley face the short trip down the M62 to Brighouse where they will be keen to carry on their winning run. Brighouse will be hoping to bounce back after they were beat 0-2 by local rivals Ossett United and have the added boost of having another home game.
Midlands Division
Belper Town v Mickleover (Red)
After making the short trip across Derbyshire to face Mickleover (Black) in #MatchweekOne, Belper Town now face Mickleover (Red) at home. 'The Nailers' didn’t get off to the start they were hoping to after they conceded two first half goals, including a 25-yard thunderbolt from Mickleover student Reece Perry. Harry Clement’s late consolation goal wasn’t enough to help rally his side and Belper lost the game 2-1. With no game in the first week for Mickleover (Red), they will be keen to follow in their fellow cohorts’ footsteps of last week and kick off their season with a win against a Derbyshire rival.
Mickleover (Black) v Stafford Rangers
As the only fixture this week where both teams won in their first match of the campaign, Mickleover (Black) v Stafford Rangers looks to be a mouth-watering fixture early on in the season. Mickleover (Black) won 2-1 at home to fellow Derbyshire Belper Town last week and started their season as they mean to go on. Stafford Rangers weathered a late onslaught from Rushall Olympic (Amber) last week to see out a 3-2 victory and travel to Mickleover at the top of the Midlands Division, all be it having played one game.
Rushall Olympic (Amber) v Carlton Town
Rushall Olympic put in a valiant performance last week against Stafford Rangers, but their two late goals just weren’t enough to snatch a point. They will be hoping to get their first points of the season when they host Carlton Town and with seven teams in the Midlands Division, Carlton Town were the only side not to play last week so will be raring to go. Also with the teams competing in different leagues last year it adds an added level of excitement to this fixture.
Southern Division
Yate Town v Frome Town
Two south west teams face off as 'The Robins' travel up to Bristol to face Yate Town. Yate put in a strong performance last week against Rushall Olympic, winning 1-3 away from home with goals coming from Emmanuel Allen-Burnett, Liam Jones and Odorico Santo. Frome Town will hope to improve on last week’s performance after they were beaten 1-5 by Swindon Supermarine.
Rushall Olympic (Black) v Chesham United
Rushall Olympic (Black) hosted Yate Town last week but couldn’t kick off the season with a win as the visitors came out on top with 1-3 victory. Now with another home game against Chesham United, 'The Pics' will be in high spirits for the game after coming out the clear winners in the same fixture last year, winning 5-2. Chesham united will also be full of confidence having come from 0-2 and 2-3 behind last week against Kidlington to win the game 4-3. Maddison Wilkin will be hoping to continue his strong start to life at the ESPFA as he scored the first hat trick of the 2020/21 season last week.