Aidey Howard's young Fairweather Green side face a big test with a home Alliance League Cup quarter-final against county semi-finalists Bolton Woods.

Green are unbeaten since Howard took the player-manager's reins 11 games ago.

The Division One leaders pulled off a big shock when they beat Woods in a district final a few years ago.

But only two seasons ago a cup win by Woods at Rhodesway was the start of a decline which continued into the next season and saw Fairweather relegated.

Fairweather centre half Kent Noble - who defied a serious accident to continue his football career - has the task of shackling Woods' red-hot striker Gary Shaw who goes into the game on two successive hat-tricks.

Cup games continue to dominate Albion Sports' season. Already through to two major semi-finals - FA Sunday and County cups - they bid to reach a third and a quarter-final when they meet fellow Premier side Stanley Road twice in four days.

Sunday's game is their long-awaited second round League Cup game, while on Wednesday at Thackley (7.30pm) the pair's second meeting is a Bradford & District quarter-final. The winners of the latter meet either Queensbury or East Ward who play their quarter-final on March 19, the same day Albion play their FA Sunday Cup semi-final.

Returning to the squad last week was defender Floyd Peltier who is already through to two semi-finals with his Saturday club Campion. He will relish the games against his old side Stanley Road with whom he won the league.

With Fairweather in cup action, Craven Heifer have a chance to go back to the top in Division One when they try to beat Westwood.

East Ward, who cannot afford to drop any more points, are at Thornton, while Calverley - with a big backlog of games to stay in contention - try for three points at West Bowling.

In the FA Umbro Cup over-40s section Whetley Lane have added Dave Morgan and former Newcastle United and Bradford City player Graham Oates to their squad for tomorrow's group game against Old Ashtonians at Thornton Rec (2.15pm).

A win will set Whetley up for a group decider against last year's finalists Billingham Strollers.

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