As we approach the business end of the season, #MatchweekTwenty brings us some exciting matchups in the cup along with a huge game in the South Division which could decide who lifts the title…
Key Matchup
Rushall Olympic (Amber) v Yate Town
The ‘Key Matchup’ comes from a pivotal game in South Division where Rushall Olympic (Amber) can move within touching distance of the title.
The current South Division leaders play their final game of the 2021/22 divisional campaign in what they will see as a must win game. As it stands, they are three points ahead of second place Kidlington who have played a game less but the #ESPFAWestMidlands side have an outstanding goal difference that currently weighs in at a whopping +36. Kidlington’s goal difference is a modest +11 so if Rushall Olympic (Amber) win in tomorrow’s fixture v Yate Town, they will leave Kidlington needing two huge wins if they want to get their hands on the title.
Yate Town are still in the hunt for third place in the division and will be no pushovers in tomorrow’s game. They were also the last team to take points off Rushall Olympic (Amber) back in #MatchweekFourteen when they held the South Division front runners to a 1-1 draw. On top of that they have their own reasons to be confident in the outcome of the game after #ESPFASouthGloucestershire student and Yate Town academy player Dylan Venn was recently named as the South Division ‘Player of the Month’ for January and February.
Dylan is expecting another tough game against Rushall Olympic (Amber) this week but knows that his side can definitely improve on their last performance. He said: "Last week was really not our best game but we did see some good things however we conceded through 3 set pieces so that is what we are looking to improve on coming into the match"
North Cup
Skelmersdale United v Witton Albion
After recently securing second place in the North Division, Skelmersdale United now turn their attention to the North Cup and face a Witton Albion side that have won their last two cup games. The #ESPFALancashire side will have a spring in their step going into this fixture after nailing down the second spot in the North Division, finishing with 3 wins and draw from their last five games. They also possess a lot of fire power with two of top three scorers in the North Division in Dominic Evans (14) and Will Green (12) so will be a tough team to stop. As mentioned, Witton have started well in the North Cup with wins coming over Belper Town and Mickleover. With Runcorn Linnets not being involved in the action this week, a win for either team would take them to the top of the North Cup group.
Belper Town v Carlton Town
Carlton Town travel over from Nottinghamshire to Derbyshire in search of their first win of their cup campaign having played two games against tough opposition in Skelmersdale United and Brighouse Town respectively. Belper Town have managed to get off the mark in the cup against Mickleover back in January but have yet to pick up any points since then.
Brighouse Town v Mickleover
These two teams met last week in a North Division fixture that provided a whole host of excitement for the neutral. The game had everything from fantastic long-range strikes, late goals and some brilliant play from both sides to provide an enthralling 2-2 draw. If this cup fixture has half as much as the action from last week, then we should be in for another thriller.
South Division
Chesham United v Frome Town
Chesham United welcome Frome Town to The Meadow in their last divisional game of the season. They have had a mixed bag of results lately, having won one, drawn two and lost two of their last five fixtures. A win here could take them as high as third in the table though, depending on other results. Frome Town currently sit one place and one point behind Chesham United having played two games less so could welcome the opportunity to leapfrog them in the standings.
South Cup
Kidlington v Rushall Olympic (Black)
As Rushall Olympic (Amber) look to push Kidlington out of reach of the South Division title, The Greens have to keep focused on their South Cup campaign as they welcome Rushall Olympic (Black). The hosts are yet to play a game in the South Cup whilst the visitors came up short in a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Chesham United in their first game of the campaign last week.