WEEK 1 REVIEW: Round-up of all the EAL football action from the opening weekend
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SENIOR DIVISION
The new Essex Alliance League season is underway with the Senior Division’s earliest start seeing eight fixtures on a scorching opening weekend of action.
On Friday night, FC Petrocub made a terrific start to their season against one of the bookies’ contenders for the title as they defeated Jolof Sports at Mayesbrook Park in a 5-0 scoreline. They were ahead early with two penalties and didn’t relinquish that position to win comprehensively to top the table on night one.
Over at Coles Park, Lymore Gardens’ first game at their new home ground saw them in action in front of a big crowd, Crookz United the first to visit in their maiden game at this level. Abdouaziz Jeng put United ahead early in the game to lead at the break but a George Dwobeng effort in the second half from Garden meant they shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw.
The most emphatic result came at Wodson Park where FC Baresi’s tenure at Ware saw them rattle ten goals past Blue Marlin on the opening weekend. Tyreece Robertson scored a hat-trick, Ali Shikheey and Paul Benfield netted a brace each with Korede Da Silva, Raymond Poku and Edson Lami all striking in a 10-1 success.
The goals were also flying in over at Noak Hill where Kit Out London and May & Baker Reserves repeated their draw from pre-season though this time a 3-3 scoreline. Darius Egualeonan had a first game to remember as his hat-trick gave Bakers a share of the points following their maiden voyage in the competition.
Two of last season’s title chasers, Chadwell Heath Spartans and Woodford East, faced each other in their first game of the season at Chigwell Hall and there was little between the sides as just one goal was enough to separate the teams by full-time. East’s Ben Smith was the man to make the difference on the day as his goal gave Woodford a 1-0 success.
Oakside’s first game in the top flight saw them face a tricky trip to West Thurrock as they took on Rapid Chingford at Lakeside in scorching conditions. A five goal thriller was ensued between the sides as ‘Side’s secured their first win in a 3-2 success to give them the best possible start to their season.
Over at Wadham Lodge, two of the division’s new entrants met as Walthamstow Reserves opened their campaign with the visit of last season’s Premier Division champions, Frenford Development. A close game was settled by the odd goal with Walthamstow the side to benefit from that moment in a 1-0 success.
The final game saw another new ground in use in the league as Barking & Dagenham College saw hosts Dagenham United in action for the first time in the Senior Division with a tough looking opening day clash against relegated Brimsdown who moved down from step six last season. A close game saw the sides finish at 1-1 with Fredericus Cunningham netting for Dagenham for their goal.