The ESPFA is hotting up and it's advantage ESPFA West Midlands (Rushall Olympic Amber) in the Midlands division after another pulsating set of matches during match week nineteen.
In the Midlands division, ESPFA West Midlands (Rushall Olympic Amber) travelled to ESPFA Nottinghamshire (Carlton Town) knowing that wins in their final two games would ensure that ESPFA Derbyshire (Mickleover Black) would need maximum points in their final two games for the division to be decided on goal difference.
The Pics' got off to the perfect start after just 20 seconds when Giovanni Lwando raced ahead before sweetly striking the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors the lead.
Despite the early advantage and plenty of chances for both sides, the Lwando goal was the difference giving the Walsall based side the vital three points going into their final game against fellow divisional title chasers ESPFA Derbyshire (Belper Town) during match week twenty.
In the North division, ESPFA Cheshire (Runcorn Linnets) and ESPFA West Yorkshire (Brighouse Town) wrapped up their league campaign in a pulsating game full of goals at the Apec Taxis Stadium.
Nine goals were scored in the first half with Linnets hot shot Adam Moseley putting his side ahead with two strikers early one. The first racing on to a through ball and striking cleanly with the second coming after neat footwork and a one-two.
His hat-trick came not long after when he weaved himself through the defence to slot home his third treble of the season.
Rodrigo Balde brought the visitors back into the game with a smart finish before Jordan Hardy restored the home sides three goal advantage with a looping strike from 18 yards.
Great work from Abel Abraham presented Balde with the chance to reduce the deficit again and he did so heading into an empty net to grab his brace.
Alex Kenamuinjo struck the host's fifth from close range following good work from Moseley down the left hand side.
Bobby Hamer's run in the box was smartly found by Abel Kelem and Hamer rounded the keeper to once again get his side back into the game before full back Jayden Boardman's overlapping run put him in a position to score his sides sixth which he did with a sweet strike to make the score 6-3 at the half time break.
Moseley got back in the action with his fourth of the game when the Yellow's were awarded a penalty which he duly converted.
Faisal Badat struck from the edge of the box to score his sides fourth of the game before Kenamuinjo grabbed his brace when he timed his shot well when the visitors defence failed to clear the ball.
After seeing Erling Haaland score five goals in the Champions League some 40 hours previous, Moseley went one better in the final 10 minutes of the game with a further two strikes. The first weaving his way through the defence again and the second patiently waiting for a gap to appear before striking confidently.
Jack Smith rounded the scoring off with his sides eleventh tapping in at the back post to confirm a comprehensive victory and the runners up position in the North division.
In the ESPFA Cup, ESPFA Cheshire (Witton Albion) got their first win in the North West group with a home victory over ESPFA Lancashire (Skelmersdale United). Skipper Isaac Shaw gave the hosts a half time lead from the penalty spot and further goals from Jack Sandbach and Zach Billinge secured their first three points despite Calvin Haddock scoring for the Blues.
In the East Midlands group, it was an inter-club derby between ESPFA Derbyshire (Mickleover FC) with the scores level at half time through goals from Charlie Price (2) for the Red's and Haiba Soueyeh and Morad Shweikh for the Black's.
Soueyeh and Shweikh struck again in the second half to give the Black's a 4-2 victory.
In the final cup game of the day in the West Midlands group, ESPFA Derbyshire (Belper Town) travelled to ESPFA West Midlands (Rushall Olympic Black) hoping to replicate their league form in the cup but the hosts had different ideas with a fifth minute goal from Pablo Padin Ahana and a stoppage time strike from Lee Mayne securing a valuable three points for the hosts.
League Tables after Matchweek Nineteen
Cup Tables after Matchweek Nineteen
TEAM OF THE WEEK - #MatchweekNineteen
Congratulations to all students who have been nominated by their coaches for their performances during #MatchweekNineteen
Special mention to #ESPFAWestMidlands student Jack McDermott who was named as the #PlayerOfTheWeek for his performance in ESPFA West Midlands (Rushall Olympic Amber) 1-0 victory away at ESPFA Nottinghamshire (Carlton Town)
The Highlights Show
Team lineups (scroll left)
