The rain played havoc with half the fixtures this week and it's advantage ESPFA Lancashire (Skelmersdale United) in the North West group of the ESPFA Cup.
In the North division there are just two fixtures to complete and it is a double header between ESPFA Greater Manchester (Mossley AFC) and ESPFA West Yorkshire (Ossett United) with pride at stake to determine who will finish in a higher position in the league table.
The visitors took the lead midway through the first half when Dylan Quinn snuck in at the back post to fire home the opener.
The hosts had the opportunity to respond soon after via a penalty but a great save from Aston Gawthorpe kept his side in the lead.
In the second half, the home side did finally equalise when Aldain Yasin caught the defender and goalkeeper off guard to sneak in and bring his side back into the game.
The visitors retook the lead on the hour mark and it turned out to be the winning goal when Sam Hellawell controlled and struck a beautiful strike just inside the box into the top corner to secure the three points for his side and ensure that the Sheepicorns' finish in 4th place in the North division for the 2022/23 season.
In the ESPFA Cup North West group, two games took place with both having an effect on who will progress to the semi-finals.
ESPFA Lancashire (Skelmersdale United) hosted ESPFA Cheshire (Witton Albion) looking for revenge for a 1-3 defeat the previous week to the same opponents - their only loss so far in the group - knowing that victory would mean they would host ESPFA Staffordshire (Stafford Town) in their final group game next week knowing victory there would send them through to the knockout stages.
In a tight affair with the score goalless at the break, the Blue's took the lead through Calvin Haddock early in the second half before Zach Williams equalised on the hour mark.
Haddock got his second and put his side back into the lead with a strike soon after and it was Williams again in the 91st minute of the game who looked to have gained a point for his side and keep the hopes of a league and cup double alive, however Joe Turner had other ideas when he popped up to strike home the winner with the last kick of the game to spark wild celebrations from the Lancashire side.
In the other game in the North West group, ESPFA Cheshire (Runcorn Linnets) travelled to ESPFA Staffordshire (Stafford Town) and came away with a comprehensive victory.
The first half was a tight affair with the visitors going into the break 3-2 up thanks to a brace from Adam Moseley and a Jordan Hardy strike with Monty Tams and Cai Richards responding for the hosts.
The second half was a different story with the Linnets' hitting six more goals without reply thanks to a further brace from Adam Moseley, a hat-trick from Jayden Boardman and Alex Kenamuinjo rounding off a nine goal performance from the Cheshire side.
League Tables after Matchweek Twenty
North West Group Cup Table after Matchweek Twenty
Post Match Interviews
TEAM OF THE WEEK - #MatchweekTwenty
Congratulations to all students who have been nominated by their coaches for their performances during #MatchweekTwenty
Special mention to #ESPFALancashire student Calvin Haddock who was named as the #PlayerOfTheWeek for his performance in ESPFA Lancashire's (Skelmersdale United) last second victory over ESPFA Cheshire (Witton Albion) in the ESPFA Cup.
The Highlights Show
Team lineups (scroll left)
Comments