It was crunch time in Group A and Round 5 started with the big one – Stilton Rovers versus Sago. It was the game between the top two in the table. Sago needed a win to claim the Group A title with a 100% record. A draw would also see them win Group A whereas a defeat would mean Stilton Rovers and Sago share top spot on 12 points and it would come down to goal difference. Sago were +11 and Stilton Rovers were +7 so a three goal win was needed from Stilton Rovers to win Group A.

Stilton Rovers needed a win or a draw to qualify for the Cup. They could even afford a defeat if other results went their way. Dickie Dogs and Crabtree Amblers could still overtake Stilton Rovers if they won their last games and Stilton Rovers lost – it would mean they would be level on 9 points and come down to goal difference. Stilton Rovers had the advantage on +7 compared to Dickie Dogs +2 and Crabtee Amblers -3.

On the field it was Sago who took the lead through Carlos Rocha's third goal of the tournament and it was a lead they would hold until half-time. As things stood they were on their way to five wins out of five. Stilton Rovers were on a fine run of form with 3 wins in a row and they hit back after the break through Peter Ciezak's fourth goal of the tournament. Honours were even as the game finished 1-1.

The result meant both teams qualified for the Cup competition with Sago winning the group on 13 points with Stilton Rovers taking a very credible second place on 10 points.

The above result meant that Dickie Dogs could no longer reach the Cup and so the Plate was their next goal. To qualify for the Plate they needed to avoid defeat against NJV7. In fact, they could afford a defeat as long as it wasn't too heavy. NJV7 could join Dickie Dogs on 6 points but they were currently -6 goal difference compared to Dickie Dogs +2 so the Portuguese needed a 4 goal win to go through.

When we reached half-time at 0-0 it seemed that NJV7's chances had gone without a remarkable second half. Dickie Dogs would no doubt look for the win as they tried to secure third position and with it, in theory, a more favourable Plate Semi-Final fixture.

As it was, the game finished without troubling the scorers at 0-0. NJV7 were eliminated from the competition. Dickie Dogs were through to the Plate.

The 15th and final game of Group A was Crabtree Amblers versus Southgate County Vets. The draw for Dickie Dogs had opened up the opportunity for Crabtree Amblers to finish in third position if they could take a win here. A draw or defeat would see Dickie Dogs third and Crabtree Amblers fourth. Both were guaranteed Plate qualification.

From a Southgate County Vets perspective, they knew this would be their last game of the competition but they could leave on a high with victory. Regardless of the result they would finish in sixth but it would be great for them to get some points on the board.

The two previous games in Round 5 had ended in a draw and this one was to be no different. There was to be no goals for either side and we finished at 0-0.