Minnows face test of their strength
THE 32-team East London Central Local Football Association Third Edition Noel Mein Cup commences this week at the North End Stadium.
The competition format is similar to the EPL FA Cup, with the lower league clubs able to compete in the same knockout competition as the Super 12 Premier League (PL) sides.
The 13 First Division promotional league sides and the top seven Masters (over-35) teams from last season have this season been included in the draw, which for the first time did not produce an all-PL first round knockout tie.
Tomorrow, FC East London should have too much firepower for Leeds Masters at 6.30pm while PL outfit Conquerors will certainly be tested by Riverside U20 at 8pm. Tomorrow evening Star of India’s star-studded outfit could be a bridge too far for Prides Masters even though the latter is unbeaten this season in the Masters league.
The pace and guile of their younger opponents will expose their frailties. Parkside United will need to be wary of a younger and fitter Riverside Masters side at 8pm – the current Masters league champions.
On Saturday 2017 EL Central Fifth Anniversary champions Pride of India will fancy their chances against Rovers Masters at 2.30pm.
First Division strugglers Diaroma United face mission impossible against ruthless Buffalo City Sports Academy at 4pm and Leeds United should have too much firepower for Breidbach Masters at 5.30pm.
On Saturday at 2.30pm on the Parkside grounds 2015 Cup champions Riverside host a struggling Atlantic Spurs U20 side.
Brothers of Peace U20 and K-Way battle it out at 4pm in an all-First Division cup tie. On Sunday at the North End stadium a resurgent Napoli side will be favourites to dispense of Swaraj Masters at 10am and Central United and Millan clash at 11.30am in another all-First Division cup contest. Swaraj face a tricky tie against a rejuvenated Alphen Warriors at 1pm and Saints hope to set aside their PL setbacks when they take on Real Dukashe at 2.30pm.
Atlantic Spurs lock horns with First Division title hopefuls Imonti Christian Centre in the main match of the day at 4pm to bring an end to the first round of knockout ties.
The EL Central Youth leagues will go into recess for three weeks due to the school holidays when the Association concludes this Saturday’s fixtures at North End Stadium, Parkside and the Showgrounds.
The sides leading their divisions bar the U18s should have no problem in preserving their positions.
U10 table-toppers Prides take on their second stringers while U12 logleaders Pefferville United face second from bottom Santa Rosa.
U14 champions-elect Leeds United play a struggling Central United and U16 log-leaders Millan take on fifthplaced Leeds United.
Millan are leading the U18 league and will face possibly their toughest match to date when they come up against the U18 playoff champions Riverside at the Showgrounds.