5th Round Preview

Elm Farm v Canada
Surprise package Elm Farm of the Aylesbury Combination are bidding to reach the semi final in their debut season in the competition. Whilst they are an unknown quantity on the national stage, they have a superb domestic record, which saw them crowned league champions last season, with a 100% record from their 14 games.

They also raised a few eyebrows with their impressive 3-1 win over the highly rated Barnes Albion in the 4th round. Their reward for this fine run is a home tie against Canada, who in stark contrast to their hosts, have a long and distinguished Sunday Cup record.

Canada will no doubt look to the prolific Steven Tames for their goals, as they strive to reach another semi final.

Lakeside Athletic v Comets Sports Club
This is probably the closest quarter final tie to call, as both sides have appeared in the semi finals in recent seasons and appear to be well matched.

Comets have proved that last season’s achievements were no fluke and have notched up some impressive wins this season, most notably their 4-0 win over Essex side Sungate (2010 quarter finalists and 3-0 winners over last season’s semi finalists, Northampton Duke of York).

Lakeside have also had some great wins this season, as they beat last season’s quarter finalists Club Lewsey on penalties in the 4th round and their old adversaries Lebeqs Tavern Courage the round before.

FC Tripimeni v Oyster Martyrs
The London FA Sunday Challenge cup has been dominated by the Kopa League for the last few years and Tripimeni are former winners of that competition, under their previous name of Aris. It’s good to see the Kopa’s best sides (New Salamis and Tripimeni) test themselves against the best sides in the Country and given their standing in the Capital, this, for me, makes this tie the game of the round.

It’s been business as usual for Oyster this season. Ritchie Rooney may no longer pick the side but the key personnel that he put in place are still there and Oyster are still on course for their 3rd final in 4 seasons.

I think Tripimeni will give the holders a game but I can’t see Oyster slipping up.

Lea Hall Sports & Social v Hetton Lyons
Like their fellow debutants Elm Farm, Lea Hall progressed quietly through the early rounds and then produced the result of the 3rd round, when they ended the hopes of London FA giants, New Salamis.

Standing in their way of a semi final appearance, are Hetton Lyons, the greatest ever team in the history of this competition!!!

Hetton enjoy close links with Spennymoor Town, the 2009/10 and 2010/11 Northern League Champions. When Spennymoor decided to place the majority of their squad on contracts, doubts were cast over Hetton’s chances of adding to their record haul of three Sunday Cup titles. However, this has not affected Hetton’s on the field performances and once again, they remain the side to beat in this competition.

I’ve just found out that Hetton Lyons have travelled down for the game today, so hopefully, I’ll see another absorbing game in this fantastic competition tomorrow.