Workington Reds will need to be on target to reach the semi finals (Ben Challis)
The quarter final draw for the Cumberland Cup, supported by Cumberland Building Society, was made live on BBC Radio Cumbria on Friday evening and produced four excellent ties, and a chance of some real upsets in the county s premier knock out competition. In the hat for the quarter-final draw for the Cup were current holders Workington AFC, Carlisle City, Cleator Moor Celtic, Netherhall, Penrith AFC, Pirelli FC, Silloth and Whitehaven AFC. Ben Snowdon, Chief Executive Officer of Cumberland FA, said: At this stage in the competition, the clubs, players, fans and even referees start to think that this may be the year that they reach that elusive Cumberland County Cup Final. It s an achievement that many attempt, but few achieve. Workington, who are having a good run of form in the Evo-Stick Northern Premier League, will face Cleator Moor Celtic from the TWR Wearside League at Borough Park.
The Reds had two tough ties against Aspatria and Frizington Whitestar to reach the quarter finals, beating Aspatria 2-1 in a repeat of last year s final, and just edged past Whitestar in a hard fought battle with a single Anthony Wright goal the decider in Frizington. The Reds face strong opposition in Cleator Moor Celtic, who knocked out a youthful Carlisle United in round two and Cockermouth in the third round. The odds have to be with the holders with the home advantage, but Cleator Moor will be up for this match and could be a real handful for the Reds who were less than impressive in the last round, and the Reds will need to be firing on all cylinders to progress. Hallmark Security League Division One side Carlisle City will play host to Netherall from the Cumberland County League Premier Division in what looks like a fascinating draw at Gillford Park. Carlisle had one of the easiest draws in round three against Westmorland Division Two side Greystoke, and came out 6-0 winners at home, having overcome Alston Moor 3-0 in round two. Their opponents, Maryport s Netherhall, had two comfortable wins to reach the last eight, beating Penrith Saints 6-0 and Mirehouse, again 6-0, and whilst the odds seem to fancy the home side from a senior league, Netherhall are something of cup specialists, having won their league s Benevolent Cup and the prestigious Smurfit Kappa Conway Cup last year, and the West Cumbria side must fancy the chances of an upset against Carlisle.
Westmorland League Division One title contenders Pirelli face Whitehaven Amateurs, currently firmly rooted to the bottom of the West Lancashire Premier Division, having lost every one of their fourteen league matches. In a tough run to the quarter finals, Amateurs saw off Windscale in round two and Wetheriggs United in round three, and Carlisle s Pirelli will be feeling confident with a handy home tie after a good cup run. Pirelli had a fine 7-0 win over Castletown United in the second round, and a much closer 3-2 win over Wigton Harriers in the third round, and had two good cup runs last year, winning the Mason & Freeman Cup and reaching the finals of the Westmorland League s High Sheriff s Cup. In the final match, Cumberland Count Premier League side Silloth face National Northern League Division One side Penrith AFC at Silloth. After battling past Westmorland League title hopefuls Kirkoswald in the second round in a game that went to extra time, Silloth had a comfy win over Borough in round three, and Silloth are in good league form so far this season, sitting fourth at the moment with a game in hand. National Northern League Division One side Penrith AFC had a 6-1 win over Braithwaite in round two in a match moved to their Frenchfield Stadium, and walloped Northern Alliance side Northbank 5-0 in round three.
On the back of the surprise news that in form local lad Robbie Hebson is returning to Penrith from Workington Reds, the Bonny Blues must fancy their chances against the Seagulls, but a match at Eden Street will be a challenge, and Penrith will need to be on good form under new manager Jim Nichols to progress to the semi finals.
Matches must be played on (or by) the 25th February 2017.
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