ByJames Masters, James Masters
Republic of Flixton showed they mean business in this year’s Peter Morrison Trophy after dumping out MSFL side Chigwell Athletic in the National Round.
The MJSL league leaders were too hot to handle for the MSFL Division One side and moved through to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Saul Shapiro and Rob Jacobs.
Republic have been in red-hot form all season and will now hope to secure a home tie in the last eight clash which is scheduled to be held on March 17.
And joint-manager Stuart Delmonte has warned there’s more to come from his side after admitting his players didn’t play to their maximum against Chigwell.
"We didn't play to our full capability," he said. "We lost too many second balls in the first half and were a bit too uptight, but were much improved in the second half.
"All credit to Chigwell. They have some quality players and gave us a good game. There's more to come from this team."
Elsewhere, Haroldeans crashed out after suffering a 2-1 defeat at MSFL Division One side Camden Park with all the goals coming the last 15 minutes. Nick Hersh equalised for the Merseysiders before Camden won it in the last couple of minutes.
In the MJSL, Manchester Maccabi 2nd went top of the table with a 4-2 win over Oakhill Lions.
Two goals from Ben Gould and strikes from Jake Berger and Sammy Dennison allowed Maccabi 2nd to leapfrog Republic of Flixton at the top of the table.
Benji Las and Joe Davis were on target for the Manchester students, who sit down in eighth following the defeat.
South Manchester Sports 2nd eased to a 4-1 win at Broughton to climb into third place.
Adam Ormrod, Dan Linton, Jack Rowe and Daniel Adcock got the goals for the visitors with Leeron Marshall claiming a consolation.
Alex Glassman hit a hat-trick as FC Cosmos grabbed a 3-2 win at Crumpsall 1st.
Michael Freedman and Michael Pine replied for Crumpsall, who remain rooted to the foot of the table.
In the day’s other game, Leeds Maccabi 2nd were awarded three points after Manchester Maccabi 3rd failed to field a team.
Leeds Maccabi crushed Gascoigne FC 5-1 in their latest Sunday Alliance Premier Division match.
Nick Vale marked his first start of the season with a double, while a Dan Ross brace and a Jordan Marks strike completed the rout.
In the Tameside League Division Two, Manchester Maccabi 1st recorded a 3-1 win over Afrika United.
(Additional reporting by Danny Caro)