Two vital matchups take place this week with three out of the four teams in action still hunting for a top four finish which would allow them to progress into the quarter-finals. We preview all the action for #MatchweekTwentySix.
Key Matchup
Skelmersdale United v Ossett United
In the North Cup, #ESPFAWestYorkshire side Ossett United travel to #ESPFALancashire’s Skelmersdale United in a battle of the roses fixture.
The home side are playing their final North Cup fixture having already played six and they will be desperate for a win to ensure it is not their last game of the season. A win here would move them up to fourth spot with nine points but wouldn’t guarantee them a top four finish as a few teams below them have games in hand. The #ESPFALancashire side finished their North Division campaign incredibly well, going unbeaten in their last five games to claim second spot in the table but haven’t managed to replicate that form in the cup competition.
Ossett United on the other hand have the luxury of playing catchup and have played the joint least games in the North Cup group with four. With three games left before the North Group is complete, they could claim one of the top four spots but would need to finish on a strong run of results to boost them above the likes of Mickleover and Brighouse Town.
In the two meetings between the two sides this year, Skem have had the upper hand. In #MatchweekSeventeen they came from 0-2 down to win 3-2 in dramatic fashion. There other meeting in January was a little more straight forward for the #ESPFALancashire side, who were the 2-0 victors on that occasion. With both teams fighting for a place in the quarter-finals, this has the making for another excellent contest like we saw the last time the two sides met.
North Cup
Carlton Town v Runcorn Linnets
The North Division champions are back in action once again as they make the journey to Nottinghamshire to take on Carlton Town. The #ESPFACheshire side will be looking to continue their perfect run and make it five wins out of five North Cup games to go along with their 12 wins in the North Division. A win would secure them a top four finish and move them above Witton Albion to go top of the North Group. Carlton Town will unfortunately be playing their last game in the North Cup as they can no longer qualify for the quarter-finals. They still have one South Division game left and will be hoping to gain some momentum in the back end of the season with a win here.