In the last set of fixtures before the Easter break, three huge games took place in the cup competition that could decide the fate of some teams hoping to make it through to the quarter-finals.
Key Matchup
Mickleover v Ossett United
The North Cup hosted the ‘Key Matchup’ this week which saw two teams pushing to finish in the top four go head-to-head. It was a Lennon Higgins double for Mickleover that saw them take away all three points and almost guarantee them a top four finish that allows them to progress to the quarter-finals.
In a highly competitive match, neither side could break the deadlock in the first half and the sides went in at the break drawing 0-0. It took until the 83rd minute until Lennon Higgins scored his first goal to give Mickleover the lead. With Ossett United pushing for an equaliser towards the end of the game, Mickleover were able to catch them on the counterattack and doubled their lead to seal the victory.
This win moves Mickleover up to third in the North Cup table with 10 points from six games. They stand a strong chance of a top four finish with only Ossett United and Brighouse Town able to catch them. Ossett United still have three games left and could qualify for the next round with three wins, but they face some stiff competition against Skelmersdale United, Brighouse Town and Runcorn Linnets.
North Cup
Brighouse Town v Belper Town
In an excellent game for the neutral, Brighouse Town overcame Belper Town in a nine-goal thriller, eventually winning 5-4. Brighouse seemed to be in control of the game at half-time and were leading 3-1 at the break. The visitors were boosted by a four-goal haul from Jack McDowell but it wasn’t enough to earn them a point.
South Cup
Kidlington v Frome Town
In a very tightly contested South Cup where just four points separates the top and bottom teams, Kidlington edged out Frome Town with a 1-0 win. Kyle Uren-Palmers goal just before the break was the only difference between the two sides and the win for Kidlington sees them move up to second. With just two games left in the cup competition for Frome Town, they need to get back to winning ways if they want hopes of progressing to the next round.
Team of the Week - #MatchweekTwentyThree
Well done to all the students who were nominated by their coaches for this week’s edition of #TeamOfTheWeek and also a special mention to #ESPFAderbyshire student Lennon Higgins who was chosen as the #PlayerOfTheWeek after scoring two important goals in a win for Mickleover.
Comments