Stalemate in the Midlands division after three close games and the race for second place in the North takes another twist during match week fourteen.
ESPFA Cheshire (Witton Albion) wrapped up their North division campaign with a 3-2 victory over runners up chasing ESPFA Lancashire (Skelmersdale United).
Set piece kings Skelmersdale used their most potent weapon when a lofted free kick was headed into the goal via the hosts defender for an own goal to give the Blues the lead.
The lead was doubled when Dominic Evans raced on to a long ball and quick trickery enabled him to squeeze the ball in the near post to continue his current goalscoring form.
Zach Billinge brought the home side back into the game with a free kick before Quinn Glithero equalised when he tapped home the rebound from an Isaac Shaw free kick.
Harry Woodham completed the comeback in the second half when he caught the goalkeeper off his line to chip in the winner.
Defeat for ESPFA Lancashire (Skelmersdale United) meant that ESPFA Cheshire (Runcorn Linnets) had the chance to rectify last week's defeat to the Lancashire side and put them in pole position for runners up with victory at ESPFA West Yorkshire (Brighouse Town)
In a dominant performance from the visitors they took an early lead through Jayden Boardman when he raced onto a through ball to slot away the opener. They doubled their lead minutes later through and unfortunate own goal when a save bounced off a Town defender for an own goal.
Billy McNay impressively put the Linnets further ahead when he curled a shot from 20 yards into the top corner.
Rhys James had a game to remember and scored his first of four after 10 minutes and got his second midway through the first half to give the Cheshire side a 5-0 lead at the break.
The striker secured his hat-trick just after the restart when he reacted quickest to tap in his third and Mohamed Soumah two minutes later got on the scoresheet with an identical goal.
Adam Moseley tucked away his ninth and tenth goals of the season in quick succession before Ethan Murphy added his name to the tally when he chipped the keeper from 20 yards. Rhys James ended the scoring when he tapped in his fourth with minutes to go.
In the Midlands division game of the day, ESPFA West Midlands (Rushall Olympic Amber) hosted ESPFA Derbyshire (Mickleover FC Black) with just two goals separating the two sides on goal difference with four games to go.
The opening goal was of real quality from the visitors which started from Josh Mitchell in goal, he found Mojeed Ipaye who showed great skill to set away Ezekiel Appiah who's strong run and one two with Chris Bitshuangu gave him the opportunity to finish which he did with aplomb to put the form side in the lead.
In the second half Kaylem Stacey caught Mitchell off guard to bring the Pics' back into the game when his cross/shot flew into the top corner.
Back to back player of the half term Giovanni Lwando turned the game around for the hosts when he finished from six yards out and his goal looked to be the winner and give the Walsall based side the advantage in the title race before goalkeeper Josh Mitchell scored from a free kick deep inside the hosts half to spark wild celebrations and keep both sides level in the division with just three games to go.
ESPFA Derbyshire (Belper Town) visited ESPFA Staffordshie (Stafford Town) knowing maximum points would put them in a strong position going into the final round of games but the Reds have been involved in some exciting close games this season and this one was no different.
Ewan Sutherill put the Nailers ahead when he converted a spot kick and then doubled the lead himself when he showed great skill and strength to slot the ball away into the bottom corner.
Kaiden Frost brought the hosts back into the game before half time when his corner deceived everyone to fly into the top corner.
In the second half the Reds pulled themselves level through a converted spot kick from Caelan Booth-Jordan before Kaiden Frost completed the comeback when his rocket from inside the box gave the goalkeeper no chance.
The Nailers showed great determination to keep their title hopes alive and ensure they took a point away with them when a looped cross found Samie Naqvi at the back post to head in the equaliser.
In the final game of the day, ESPFA Nottinghamshire (Carlton Town) had the opportunity to put themselves further in the title mix with victory over ESPFA Derbyshire (Mickleover FC Red).
After a goalless first half the visitors took the lead on 60 minutes when Sancho Ayodeji-Ansell superbly met a free kick well to head his side in the lead. The lead didn't last long though as Dylan Samaringa raced through to power home the equaliser after 65 minutes.
In an end to end game, a winner could not be found and in a unique situation in the ESPFA, all Midlands division games were drawn, highlighting how tight the division has been this season and how exciting the final stages will be.
League Tables after Matchweek Fourteen
Post Match Interviews
TEAM OF THE WEEK - #MatchweekFourteen
Congratulations to all students who have made it into the ESPFA #TeamOfTheWeek.
Special mention to #ESPFACheshire student Harry Woodham who was named as the #PlayerOfTheWeek after his winning goal and player of the match performance for Witton Albion was key in their 3-2 victory over ESPFA Lancashire (Skelmersdale United)
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