Joker chase prized ticket to FA Sunday Cup final

LOCAL football champions Joker aim to set up the biggest game in their history when they play in the semi-finals of the FA Sunday Cup today.

The Rotherham Sunday League and Sheffield Senior Cup holders take on top Leicestershire side Birstall Stamford on neutral ground at Alfreton Town FC, with the winners due to face opponents from either Sunderland or Aylesbury in the final. Those two meet at Gainsborough Trinity’s ground today, also at 2pm.

No team from South Yorkshire has ever reached the final of the FA Sunday Cup and Joker manager Andy Battersby says he will use that in his team talk for what he regards as the club’s toughest match of the season.

He told the Advertiser: “Birstall have won their County Cup, they’re on for three or four trophies and they’ve only lost once this season. We have certainly drawn the toughest team out of the three in my opinion.

“Our guys are history makers in themselves, breaking records left, right and centre. We’ve built ourselves a reputation. Every game is big for us now but if we can get to the final of the FA Sunday Cup we could probably say it’s Joker’s biggest game ever. It would be fantastic if we could get there.”

Joker knocked out three top Liverpool sides en route to the last four and will have good backing at Alfreton’s North Street ground.

“It’s not just about the Joker,” added Andy. “It’s about our allegiance to the Rotherham Sunday League, the Sheffield and Hallamshire FA and local football so it would be great if people come and support us.”

Kick-off is 2pm.