Zac Marks’ men lie mid-table in what has been a creditable first year since being formed.
But their cup hopes appear in tatters after Leeds Maccabi put them to the sword in the Shonn Trophy quarter-final.
The Yorkshiremen take a four-goal lead into next month's second leg at home after doubles from Nick Vale Louis Hewson, Rafi Kaye and Adam Woolfstein saw them home.
With Marks absent, player-manager Michael Donn took the team. And Donn, who was on target along with Jonny Franks and Marcus Buchanan, said: “We have given a decent account for ourselves this year. We are a new team and it was always going to be difficult to step up straight away.
“The team has been competitive but we have lacked the strength in depth. This was a prime example as we led 3-2 but collapsed in the last 20 minutes as we didn’t have any substitutes to fresh it up. That has been our downfall.”
Leeds are one of the league’s form teams and are a good bet for cup.
Boss Adam Kristall said: “We are playing well but we can’t let up now. It’s an important stage of the season.”
Ben Gould was Maccabi Manchester Blue’s hat-trick hero as South Manchester Sports 2nd crashed 7-3 at home in the MJSL.
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