Highgate Albion celebrate their win over Burghfield FC in the FA Sunday Cup

SIXTY-FOUR grassroots football clubs set out to be crowned the best Sunday league team in England back in December, and now there are just eight left vying for glory.

And right in the mix are Highgate Albion, who cruised through to the quarter-finals of the FA Sunday Cup at the weekend with “a solid performance” against Burghfield FC.

Flying the flag for Middlesex, Albion were excited to take part in a tournament where they would get the chance to test their mettle against the top Sunday squads in the country.

But it’s been a frustrating journey as, through no fault of their own, they received byes in the opening two rounds after their scheduled opponents were unable to fulfil their home fixtures.

On Sunday, however, they finally got the opportunity to “do their talking on the pitch” as they took on Berkshire side Burghfield at the Sun Postal Sports & Social Club in Watford.

And the Barnet Sunday League side delivered in style as they won the third round clash 2-0 thanks to Aaron Scott’s well-placed header and “a 25-yard wonder strike” from Hamza Semakula.

“It was a tough game in very tough conditions,” said Albion manager Adam Shahein. “I felt that we were the better team, but the opposition defended well and put everything on the line.

“At half-time there was a strong team talk. We continued to play quite good football on a really poor pitch, and in the end got the breakthrough.

“All the players contributed to the win, and now we go into the last eight in a confident manner.

“The man of the match went to Akram Mohamed in the centre of the park. He dominated the midfield throughout.”

Albion will tackle Club Lewsey, from Bedfordshire, in the quarter-finals on Sunday March 6.