LITTLE OAKLEY manager Matt Carmichael hopes his players do themselves justice and pull off an upset in tonight's Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup semi-final against Bostik League high-fliers MALDON AND TIPTREE.

The pair are set to go head-to-head in a 7.45pm kick-off at the Memorial Ground.

Oakley, of Thurlow Nunn League first division south, are in tremendous form and notched another victory - their third in a row and ninth in 12 outings - by comfortably seeing off May and Baker 4-0 on Saturday.

However, Carmichael knows his side will have their work cut out against a Jammers team sitting third in Bostik League division north, having won six of their last eight, boosting their title push with a 2-0 success at Soham Town Rangers on Saturday.

"We're really looking forward to the challenge," said the Oakley boss.

"Maldon must be treated with great respect because they're doing so well in a higher league and have great management.

"But obviously we'd love to think we can cause an upset.

"Anything can happen and we're improving every week.

"The lads are taking instructions on board and getting better and better.

"We're in a very good place, feeling confident and looking forward to testing ourselves against a top team in Maldon.

"Hopefully we perform well and do ourselves justice."

Oakley booked their place in the semi-finals after a 3-2 win at Burnham Ramblers followed by a penalty shoot-out success against neighbours FC CLACTON, following a 3-3 draw.

Maldon brushed aside HALSTEAD TOWN 4-0 before a quarter-final victory against rivals HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS.

BRIGHTLINGSEA REGENT, who won the charity event last year after beating Clacton, are also in the semi-finals after beating Coggeshall Town 1-0 last Tuesday.

They await the winners of tonight's last-eight tussle between Hullbridge Sports and Kelvedon Social.

Elsewhere tonight, there are some important matches in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division with Clacton, buoyed by Saturday's thrilling 5-3 success against title-chasing Godmanchester Rovers, making the long trip to struggling Great Yarmouth Town.

BRANTHAM ATHLETIC, who lost 1-0 at home to Gorleston at the weekend, will hope to bounce back when they go to Histon.

In first division south, COGGESHALL UNITED have a home date with BRAINTREE TOWN RESERVES.