The quarter-finals of the Ascot Hotel-sponsored Junior Cup take place this Sunday as the business end of the season fast approaches.

Combination One leaders Rushen United will be expected to book their place in the semi-finals after being drawn at home to Douglas Royal.

With the Whites sitting ninth in the table some 33 points adrift of the Spaniards, the southerners will start as firm favourites to continue their quest for a possible league and cup double. The teams met in October when Rushen side triumphed 6-0, while they were due to go head-to-head in the reverse fixture last night (Wednesday) at the time of going to press.

Rushen’s nearest - and only - challengers in the title race are DHSOB who also still fancy their chances are ending the season with some silverware in the Blackberry Lane trophy cabinet. Postponements have meant that Old Boys were scheduled to take on Combination Two side Onchan in their previous round of the Junior Cup last night (Wednesday). Old Boys went into the match as favourites but the O’s stunned St John’s on penalties in the previous round so will be confident.

The winners of that match face a tough test against Corinthians in the quarter-finals. The Whites were in ruthless form as they dispatched Castletown 7-0 and they could also challenge for Junior Cup glory this season.

A resurgent St George’s outlined their cup credentials with an impressive 3-1 victory against Peel last weekend and therefore the Saints will start as favourites to get the better of Douglas Athletic at Glencrutchery Road. The Pinks saw off the challenge of Foxdale 6-3 in the previous round but will need to be at the top of their game if they are to upset Geordies.

The last game in the quarter-finals sees Laxey welcome Combi Two highfliers Pulrose United to Glen Road in what could be an interesting affair. The Miners will be expected to book their place in the last four but Pully will want to make life difficult for them.

Away from the Junior Cup, there are four games taking place in JCK Division Two on Saturday and there’s no doubting the standout tie as Castletown host Pulrose United at the Stadium.

Long-time leaders Town came unstuck at the weekend when they were narrowly beaten by fellow contenders Onchan 1-0, therefore Gary Sansbury’s men will be eager to bounce back. However, that will be easier said than done against Paul Guiver’s Woods Cup winners who currently trail the southerners by three points with a game in hand. Therefore, this game could go a long way in deciding who gets promoted in a few weeks’ time.

The other second division games see Ayre United host Union Mills, RYCOB travel to Governor’s Athletic at Bemahague and Gymns welcome Foxdale to Tromode.