FOOTBALL: Fulbeck United reach second cup final of the season

It was cup weekend this week with just two semi-final ties taking place in the Challenge Cup.

Cherry Willingham and Fulbeck United were meeting for the second occasion in a cup semi-final this season.

In the recent Amateur Cup tie, Fulbeck had already reached their first final of the season with a 4-0 win. In this game, the two sides shared a nine goal thriller with Fulbeck again coming out on top 5-4.

Paul Crampton (2), Tom Vertigan (2) and Callum Clay scored for Fulbeck, with Bobby Jenkinson (2), Ash Bradley and Mark Pitchford getting Cherry’s goals.

In the second game, a derby saw Birchwood United entertaining local rivals AFC Crown and Arrows.

The home side were in action for the first time in a month, having had two games in a row postponed for reasons beyond their control.

They had already met and beaten their visitors twice in a league match and a cup match this season so went into this game as clear favourites. Keeping a sixth clean sheet of the season, they won 3-0 with two goals from Tom Hill and an own goal.

These results set up the second Birchwood United versus Fulbeck United final of the season and this could become three after this Saturday, as the same opponents meet in the David Cooper Cup semi-finals.