FORMER Bradford City youth teamer Sumaili Cissa must be one of the few footballers feeling warm in England this winter, and it was the red hot youngster who hit a brilliant late winner for Eccleshill United on Wednesday.

That secured an excellent 2-1 Northern Counties East League League Cup fourth round win at Yorkshire Amateur, and with Eccleshill now in the last eight of the competition, captain Aran Basi is already dreaming of a big day out at a professional ground.

But it is unlikely Cissa will be around to help for much longer, with Basi explaining: "He's only about 21 or 22 and he's come from playing in a professional league in Sweden, because they've got a winter break.

"He's done it before with Albion Sports and it just keeps him fit. A lot of players get released from City and Leeds and they end up falling out of love with the game and don't play any more.

"But that's not Sumaili. He's got great character, always plays with a smile and he's in love with the game. His goal (against Ammers) was brilliant too.

"He was one-on-one with the keeper and just dinked it over him. That's sums him up. He likes taking risks."

Ammers are one of the best teams in the NCEL and Basi could not hide his excitement over the win. It means Eccleshill are now just two wins away from the final, which has been held at Sheffield United and Doncaster Rovers' grounds in recent years.

Asked whether the cup might take priority over the league, given that the Eagles are comfortably ensconced in mid-table, Basi said: "When we were losing at half-time on Wednesday, (manager) Lee Elam reminded us that we were only three games away from playing at a professional ground.

"It's a good day out, and now we're in the last eight we want to win. As captain, it would be nice to lift the trophy too."

That does not mean Eccleshill's league motivation has disappeared though.

Basi said: "We want to finish as high as we can with the 14 games we have left. We don't want to lose at Handsworth this weekend because they'll go above us if they win.

"Then we're just ahead of Thackley too, and you always want to try and be the top dog in Bradford."

SELECTED NON-LEAGUE FIXTURES (tomorrow 3pm unless stated):

National League North: Bradford (Park Avenue) v Chester, Farsley Celtic v Hereford, Guiseley v Leamington

Northern Premier League North West: Workington v Brighouse Town

Northern Counties East League Premier Division: Handsworth v Eccleshill United, Liversedge v Albion Sports, Penistone Church v Thackley, Silsden v Goole AFC

Division One: Rossington Main v Campion

North West Counties League - Division One North: Golcar United v Steeton (tonight 8pm)