LEAGUE CUP: Round up of all the action from Week 4

GROUP A

The race for the Group A silverware remains well poised with FC Petrocub holding a two point gap at the top, helped by a big 6-1 win on Saturday away at Rapid Chingford. That saw the visitors make it three wins from three and in pole position in the group going into two huge remaining fixtures.

One of those will be against second placed Lymore Gardens next week and Lymore warmed up for the huge showdown with a comfortable win of their own, ending West Essex Reserves’ hopes of silverware with a 3-1 victory. Andre Rashford, Dylan Roberts and Tyrique Peters grabbed the winning goals.

With games in hand, DTFC still have both of the leading sides to play away from home and kept up their hopes with a big home win as they beat FC Baresi 5-0 at the Harlow Arena. That gave the hosts a first win in the competition and, with three games still to go, can they chase down the leading pack?

GROUP B

Group B was thrown wide open at the weekend after a huge result in Noak Hill saw Kit Out London keep their unbeaten record in tact by beating another previously unbeaten side, Woodford East. Jay Stavri scored for East but a Erik Rusnak brace in reply added to Sami Bessadi’s goal to make it 3-2.

Chigwell Town returned to contention at the top end of the standings after an impressive 4-2 victory at home against Tower United to dent the latter’s hopes. Ross Chimes scored two with Mark Howe and Modestas Dainuskas netting the others to render Tower goals from Abdi Abdikarim and Abubakar Maxamed as just consolation.

And in the group’s remaining fixture, Chadwell Heath Spartans opened their wins account in the group as they picked up a huge 5-1 win against higher league opposition, CSM London. Antonio Azevedo scored for CSM but a Rashid Matabaro hat-trick and goals for Rob Hodgson and Miguel Martins rounded things off for Spartans.

GROUP C

Four sides will go into the final weekend of Group C fixtures with hopes of silverware but it’s unbeaten Frenford A who hold the advantage after they beat now second placed North East Lions 5-3 on Saturday to go top. Lorenc Hoxha, Romelle Pile and Chad-Troy Payne goals proved not quite enough for the Lions.

London Park City and Kwanzas London Sport are the other two sides with an outside chance but will require a significant goal difference swing after they could only finish level at 1-1. Antonio Semedo scored the hosts' goal but City scored one themselves to send them into a showdown with the leaders next weekend.

In the battle between the fifth and sixth placed sides, Belfry earned their first points of the group after they secured victory in Dagenham against Francis Luke. Jose Nelson Da Silva scored for Luke but three Belfry efforts in reply were enough to earn a 3-1 win for the hosts.

GROUP D

Two sides remain locked at the top in Group D as Unitey and Dagenham United, both sides sporting unbeaten records, met in Loughton on Saturday. With both having won all three games, it was perhaps no surprise to see this one finish level. Brandon Fulton scored twice for Unitey with Sean Kettle and Charlie Fiander goals making it 2-2 to see this group go to the wire.

Third placed Cowley Community, a point back, remain poised to sweep up if results go their way and they ensured they will remain interested on the last day as Chris Wright and Mark Farinha efforts gave them a 2-1 win against Chingford Athletic A. Sam Matthews scored the Chingford goal in reply.

GROUP E

In Group E, the first silverware was mathematically confirmed with Fairlop Rovers confirmed as group winners after Loughton Lions could only pick up a point on the road at Old Barkabbeyans Reserves. Two Michael Ryder goals and a Josh Robinson strike helped Old Barks pick up a first point as the game ended 3-3.

The group’s other action came from Newbury Park where the other side with outside hopes, Glendale, saw their hopes ended despite fighting back from a goal down against Old Esthameaians to lead through two Wesley Kanga goals. But a late E’s leveller saw the tie finish at 2-2 on the day.

GROUP F

The drama in Group F will go to the final set of matches with three sides still in with a shout. Royal Forest Reserves are in pole position following a hard fought away win at Emerson United Reserves over the weekend as goals from Tom Alexander and Will Asenso carried their side to a 2-0 victory in Upminster.

Custom House United will hope for a Royal slip on the final day after they kept their hopes alive with a big 7-1 win at home against Eastern Avenue. Jamie Wooster was in fine form with a hat-trick, with further goals arriving through Bobby Devlin, Paul Stringer, Robert Wooster and Tommy Douglas.

Chingford Harriers will require a lot of things to go their way to be putting hands on silverware but they will have a big say either way, coming through the Chingford derby contest against Lymore Gardens Reserves in a 3-0 scoreline. Paul Shawyer and Darnell Lamothe were on the scoresheet for the Harriers ahead of their showdown with the leaders next weekend.

GROUP G

In Group G, Collier Row A moved level on points with the top placed side in the group on the back of a big 7-1 Row victory against Dagenham United Reserves. Rahman Byjid scored for United but the hosts ran in seven goals of their own to leave them needing the leaders to drop points if they are to challenge.

Brentwood United Reserves have been creeping their way up the table in the last couple of weeks and could still have a big say in things, lying just two points off the leading teams. Their second win was secured with a 4-2 home win against Avondale Rangers on Saturday, a result which keeps them in touch.

LONDON JUNIOR CUP

Goals were the order of the day in the London Junior Cup where Jolof Sports’ chase for county cup glory continued with the visit of AFC Cubo Reserves to Dagenham on Saturday. An entertaining game saw Jolof run out 10-4 victors to become the third EAL club into the last sixteen where they face either West Fulham or Exeter Old Boys this month.

Photo Credit: Gary Murray