With World Cup fever in full force, the women’s game and men’s matches from League Two down are still in full swing.

Unless the rain and waterlogged pitches have other plans, there is no better time than this weekend to get along to a local game.

1. LIVERPOOL FEDS v MERSEYRAIL – FA CUP

With the second-round proper of the Women’s FA Cup beginning this weekend, National League North and South Premier Division teams enter the competition.

Liverpool Feds will host Merseyrail Ladies in what could be an intense local derby but Merseyrail will have to dig deep to find a way through.

The visitors play in the Women’s National League Division One North while Liverpool Feds play their football in the league above.

The Feds were notorious in the Division One North league last season, earning promotion after being crowned champions. They currently sit seventh in the league where they have won just three out of 10 games.

Merseyrail have struggled for form as they rank second from bottom in their division, winning only one game so far as the league edges closer to the Christmas break.

Though both teams have not got off to the best start, The Feds will still be favourites to progress.

Location: Jericho Lane

Kickoff: Sunday 27 November, 1pm

2. MARINE v HYDE UNITED – NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

Over at Rossett Park, the very ground that famously hosted Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup two years ago, Kevin Lynch’s side will take on Hyde United in the Northern Premier League.

The two sides are separated by only three points in the table with the away side in third and Marine in fourth with 30 points. With Radcliffe and Matlock Town on their tail with the same number of points, a loss for Marine could see them slip down the table.

Marine have been in good form having won their last two games while Hyde have been the opposite, losing twice in a row. Since the table is very much in the balance, there will be a lot of excitement in the league, perfect for anyone who wishes to support local teams while the World Cup has put football’s top divisions on pause.

Location: Rossett Park

Kickoff: Saturday 26 November, 3pm

3. Pilkington v Ashton Town

The St Helens side face Ashton Town at home in the North West Counties Football League on Saturday. The women’s sides of both teams will then take each other on the next day at Ashton Town.

MENS – North West Counties Football League

Pilkington are currently top of the table in the NWCFL having had one of the best starts to the season.

At one point, they were the only football club in the country who were still unbeaten in all competitions and only suffered their first defeat in late October. Their opponents on the other hand have only won twice and are in last place.

Their last clash saw The Pilks see out a 4-3 win with goals from Bebeto Gomes, Yacin Amarzou and Nelson Digbeu. While games up and down the country are at risk of being called off due to waterlogged pitches, Ruskin Drive’s all-weather pitch will have a close to 100% chance of ensuring a live football game does go ahead this weekend.

Location: Ruskin Sports Village

Kickoff: Saturday 26 November, 3pm

WOMENS – Liverpool Women’s and Youth Football League

May Mallon with the ball in the middle of the park
Photo: Hana Basir

Straying out of Merseyside in Wigan, Ashton Town will take on Pilkington at home after the two played out a 3-3 thriller just last month.

Ashton Town came back from 3-1 down at halftime to earn the point. With players like Luna Fenlon and Chloe Fairclough racking up on goals and skipper, May Mallon’s dangerous drives into the box, Pilkington will be hoping to grab the three points this time.

Location: Ashton Town AFC

Kickoff: Sunday 27 November, 2pm

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