WEEK 29 REVIEW: Round-up of all the EAL league and cup action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

The Senior Division action began on Friday evening with a third versus fourth battle between visitors Chadwell Heath Spartans and Haringey Borough Under 23s. But it was a strong performance by the home side, despite a George Mariner goal for Spartans, with Borough scoring seven of their own to complete a 7-1 success.

On Saturday afternoon, second placed Woodford East were on the road with a trip to CSM London knowing that only a win would really do to keep up the pressure at the top. And that was what the Peacocks were able to produce, winning 3-0 courtesy of a brace from Billy Barr and an effort from Aaron Blake.

Over at Lakeside Sports Ground, hosts Rapid Chingford had a big task ahead of them with the visit of cup semi-finalists, Walthamstow Reserves, seven points between the sides heading into that contest. It will be the hosts walking away the happier of the sides, slashing that gap to just four points with a 2-1 success.

The other completed game came from Wadham Lodge where an early kick-off saw FC Petrocub make their way to Walthamstow to take on relegation-threatened Sporting Hackney. Despite their gap in the league standings, there proved to be little between the sides on the day with a the game ending in a 1-1 score draw, another valuable point for the Parrots.

PREMIER DIVISION CUP

In the Premier Division Cup, three ties out of four survived the elements with Dagenham United securing their place in the quarter-finals of the competition with a strong 3-1 home performance against Athletic Newham A at Robert Clack. Halameen Agbaje scored twice in the game with Brian Henry netting the other to book their place in the last eight.

Also heading through into the quarter-finals are Newbury Athletic who produced one of their stronger performance of the season to beat West division promotion chasing, Newham Wanderers, in the game at Royal Docks. Emmanuel Chukwumah scored twice with Kenny Arda and Camron Coley also on the scoresheet to win the tie 4-0.

Over at Parsloes Park, it was an all-East division battle as Redbridge Community faced a Something From Nothing side placed just above them in the league table going into the fixture. And it was the hosts who earned the victory with a 4-1 success on the day, sending them into the next round.

PREMIER DIVISION EAST

There were two games completed in Premier Division East, beginning with a seven-goal thriller between Ongar Town and Waltham Abbey A from Mark Hall. The sides began the day level on points but the Abbots ended it top of the table, winning 4-3. Scout Bown, Finlay Cook and Ben Newman all scored for Town but those were not quite enough on the day.

Also level at the top on goal difference are Unitey who make it three clubs to sit on twenty-five points at the summit following their big home win against Leyton City, winning the game 6-0 at Roding Valley School. Junior Milla and Jai Perkins both scored twice, Ahmed Dousa and Ikenna Ogazi also on the scoresheet for the title contenders.

PREMIER DIVISION WEST

In the West division, there were wins for both of the top two sides as Philip United maintained their two point lead at the top of the standings with a 7-0 away victory on the road at North East Lions. That saw them record a twelfth win in fifteen games this season and keeps them in pole position for the run-in.

Second placed Snaresbrook remain hot on the tail of the leaders and sit just those couple of points adrift, recording a big win of their own on Saturday with a 5-1 away success against Wanstead at Wadham Lodge. Daniel Muamba struck for the Stags but a ‘Brook brace for Harry Prince plus goals from Sonny Edwards, Max Catherall and Nana Boachie gave them the win.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One there are new leaders at the top as Saint City took advantage of sides around them being out of action to move two points clear following a strong 4-0 away showing against Lymore Gardens Under 23s at Parsloes Park. Jordan Lemard scored twice with Leo Gaspar and Denison St Louis scoring the others to keep their side as the bookies’ favourites.

DIVISION TWO CUP

The Division Two Cup saw the group A fixtures completed with Chadwell Heath Spartans Reserves ending their cup campaign with a home victory, defeating rivals Redbridge Community Reserves in a 2-1 scoreline at Parsloes Park. Jack Chawner netted once again against Redbridge with Jesse Van Hees coming off the bench to score the other.

DIVISION TWO

Back in the league, with two games to go, Rainham & Barking Phoenix have moved six points clear of their closest rivals, albeit with the second placed side having games in hand, that lead procured following a 4-1 away win against Frenford A in Ilford. Teraun Davis was on the scoresheet for the hosts but that proved to be just consolation in the end.

DIVISION THREE CUP

The Division Three Cup produced a cupset on Saturday with the lower ranked Melbourne Sports side making their second semi-final of the season following a last eight victory away at Old Parkonians A in Barkingside. Jourdane DeCourcy-Nolan and Charlie Fiander both scored for Parks but those weren’t quite enough as the Mels scored three in a 3-2 success.

COUNTY CUP

There was a cracker of a county cup quarter-final with a pulsating game between Old Barkabbeyans and Haver Town. Barks led three times in the game, including 4-3 heading into the last ten minutes. But Haver fought back to level and then scored a fifth in stoppage time to win it dramatically, setting up a semi-final with Dagenham United Reserves next week.