Report: Brian Brighouse

Happy New Year everyone!

It’s been a while since I last reported but several fixtures have occurred in the couple of weeks before Christmas and the first full week of the new year.

The main focus has been on the cup, this year it's following a Champions League style format with the teams spilt into 4 small mini-leagues. The winner of each league will progress to the semi-finals, 3 of the leagues have 3 teams and the other 4.

We're almost half way there, each team plays each other team in their group home and away, so it's an ideal time to report on progress so far...

In group A, last season's league champions, Bar 22, seem to have one foot into the semi finals after two convincing wins in their opening group matches, they have 15 points after their first two matches, 9 ahead of their nearest rivals La Cantina.

Group B is looking very tight with the Farmers and the Stanley Club securing 16 points from their first 3 matches, the Farmers having won all 3 matches so far. The Farmers are in pole position as they fared better in their head-to-head with the Stanley Club (League Cup Rule 7). Should two teams still be tied after that consideration a play-off occurs at a neutral venue (League Cup Rule 8).

Group C is also looking close with all 3 teams still having a chance to make it through to the semis. You could argue that the current leaders, the Queen Inn, are in the weakest position having already played 3 of their matches. The ‘Inn’ are only 2 points ahead of La Cantina A, the Southport Road outfit having played 2 matches and 4 points ahead of the Bridge Dogs. The ‘Dogs’ only having played one match so far.

In the final group last season’s Cup Winners, the Bridge, are in pole position to qualify having taken 15 points from a possible 16 in their first two matches.

The final group games will take place late in the league year when the reverse fixtures will be played; next week it’s a return to league fixtures.