WEEK 28 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and cup action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

In the top flight, league leaders FC Baresi were in action on Friday evening with a trip to Parkside to take on fellow cup semi-finalists, Aveley Under 23s. The visitors made a fast start and Junior Appiah raced through to give them a first half lead. But they were made to pay for missed chances with Abdikarim Sheikh levelling it up for Aveley late on to finish it 1-1.

That result enabled second placed Woodford East to reduce the gap, albeit perhaps too late to make a dent, the Peacocks returning home from Lakeside with all three points following a 6-0 away win against Rapid Chingford. Billy Barr and Callum Maltese both scored twice, Sajid Aziz and Harry Carter netting the others.

Also in winning form were Chadwell Heath Spartans who were up against fellow top-half side, Walthamstow Reserves, as those sides met at Parsloes Park on Saturday. Spartans were in fine form early on, racing into a lead, with Stow fighting back later in the game as it ended 4-2 to Spartans. Billy Gipp scored two, adding to efforts from Joseph Butcher and Ryan O’Connell.

The other game from the top-flight came from Noak Hill where hosts FC Petrocub were up against a Priory Park Rangers side who remain in need of points desperately to retain their top flight status. But FC Petrocub did enough on the day, scoring the game’s only goal to record their ninth win of the season 1-0.

PREMIER DIVISION CUP

The first round action from the Premier Division Cup was completed on Saturday with Leyton City in home action against Fairlop Rovers at Newbury Park in a top versus bottom clash. And the lower ranked side gave a good account of themselves, ultimately falling to a 3-2 defeat as Fairlop took their place in the next round.

PREMIER DIVISION EAST

In the day’s sole surviving fixture from the East division, it was a case of de ja vu as Unitey took on Ongar Town once again, this time with league points at stake. Max Galati struck with the Ongar goal but Unitey efforts from Ishwar Ravi and Muhammed Camara ensured it was the hosts who walked away 2-1 winners.

PREMIER DIVISION WEST

The West division saw two games take place with promotion chasing Snaresbrook reducing the deficit at the top and moving second as they returned home from Walthamstow with all three points, defeating North East Lions in a 3-1 scoreline. Chris Huggins was the hero with a hat-trick, Mikael Martin netting Lions’ consolation effort.

The other fixture from the division saw one of those rare things in grassroots football as neither Barkingside Under 21s nor FC Baresi Reserves could find the back of the net in what ended as a goalless 0-0 draw. The sides started with a seven point gap between them and it remained that way by full-time, the sides remaining eighth and ninth respectively.

DIVISION ONE CUP

In the Division One Cup, Woodford East Reserves have confirmed their place in the semi-finals with a game to go in the group stage, their second group game seeing them move onto six points following a narrow 2-1 away win against Ocean Pacific. Jake Roberts scored both goals for the Peacocks to progress his side through.

DIVISION ONE

The Division One league schedule saw fixture action from Newbury Park as Old Esthameians were at home and facing up to Chingford Athletic Reserves in a fifth versus sixth battle. Chingford started the day trailing their opponents by three points but finished it level following a 3-2 success.

DIVISION TWO

Rainham & Barking Phoenix have opened up a three-point gap at the top of the table in Division Two as they earned themselves win number eleven this season with a 2-0 success at home against Collier Row Reserves. Cameron Shakes and Sean Tormey scored the goals for the hosts to keep the title race interesting.

Over at The Drive, hosts Frenford A were in home action with the visit of third placed Old Barkabbeyans. In a game of six goals, it was Old Barks who scored the majority of those in a 4-2 win as Michael Ryder scored two, adding to goals from Tyler Turner and Jay Elliott, their eighth win of the season.

At Parsloes Park, Chadwell Heath Spartans Reserves were looking to continue a good vain of form as they faced Essex Cup semi-finalists, Dagenham United Reserves. A close game was settled by just the one goal, that being scored by Silas Afriyie who’s effort made it a 1-0 success for Dagenham.

DIVISION THREE

In Division Three, Collier Row Wheels have closed the gap on the leaders at the top of the table to fifteen points as they returned to winning ways with a 2-0 victory away at Buckhurst Way. Joshua Gibbins and Luke Fearne netted the goals for the visitors to move them second and on the tail of the leaders.

There was an eight-goal thriller in Romford to round off the league action from the weekend as Romford Flyers were up against cup semi-finalists Melbourne Sports at King George Playing Fields. The teams couldn’t be separated over ninety minutes as the sides settled for a share of the spoils in a 4-4 draw.

COUNTY CUP

It was a good day for London Cranes who finally got to play their third round tie from the Essex Junior Cup on Saturday, returning home from Dagenham with a win under their belts following a 3-1 success against Collier Row. They head on to face Benfleet Reserves next week.