Dagenham double-header takes centre stage this weekend
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It’s another Dagenham & Redbridge FC double-header of cup finals this Saturday as we witness the conclusion of this season’s Division One and Senior Division Cup competitions at the Chigwell Construction Stadium
DIVISION ONE CUP FINAL – ATHOLL VS RENEGADE
SATURDAY 20TH MAY, 2PM KO, DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE FC
There will be a new name on the Division One trophy this season with two of our relatively new member clubs, Atholl and Renegade, taking to the field to battle for the Division One Cup on Saturday afternoon.
For Atholl, a side in their first season with the league though with having been established for many years, the seventh placed side will be looking to crown off a season with some silverware having had an indifferent season in the league. Their run in the competition began in the quarter-finals stage of the competition with a penalty shootout victory against Ilford Reserves after a finishing 2-2 before defeating league runners-up Something From Nothing in the semi-finals, winning that game 3-0 to secure their place.
Over in the other dugout are a Renegade side who will hope to take their first ever honours as a club on Saturday at the end of their second season in existence. Although league results this term haven’t always been favourable, finishing eighth, they can look back on their cup run with some positivity, starting their run with a big 6-2 win in the quarter-finals against Old Esthameians. In the semi-finals they started very much as underdogs against league champions, Newham Wanderers, but produced a sparkling result to win 3-2 on the day, proving that anything is possible in football.
With marginal gap between the sides in the league this season, it is tough to pick a favourite in this tie, especially given two tight league games between the sides. An early season 1-1 draw was added to by a 2-1 Atholl win in January’s reverse game, demonstrating how close this might well be on Saturday.
SENIOR DIVISION CUP FINAL – FC PETROCUB VS WOODFORD EAST
SATURDAY 20TH MAY, 6PM KO, DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE FC
The scene is set for a terrific Senior Division Cup Final this Saturday evening with big crowds expected to witness the climax of the cup with London champions, FC Petrocub, taking on Woodford East at 6pm.
For FC Petrocub, they are fast collecting the tag of cup specialists having saved the very best of their performances for the cup competitions, yet to be beaten across the three they have entered this season with their league performances having seen them finish fifth. Their run in this cup this term has seen them produce a 5-1 winning performance against Walthamstow Reserves in round one before despatching Oakside 3-0 in the quarter-finals. Their semi-final saw them travel to a tricky Frenford Development side but came away with a 5-2 win under their belts to confirm their place in Saturday’s final.
The other half of the draw on Saturday evening sees Woodford East take their place in the final after another strong campaign on all fronts, finishing fourth in the league, reaching the Essex Cup semi-finals, along with two cup final appearances too. In this competition in particular, they had a trip to Lymore Gardens to overcome in round one, winning that 5-2, before overcoming Dagenham United in the quarter-finals in a 4-0 scoreline. A dramatic semi-final against Jolof Sports saw them through with a 1-0 scoreline as they look to end their season by adding some silverware to the cabinet.
The league games between these sides have seen two extraordinary games, settled by the latest of goals, with each taking a win apiece. Their encounter back in January saw Woodford East take the spoils in a 3-2 result before a seven-goal thriller in late-April as FC Petrocub won that one 4-3. With only two points between the sides and a win each, who would be brave enough to pick a winner?