WEEK 10 REVIEW: Division 2 sides shock higher division opponents

There were two more Fenton Cup ties played this weekend and the two Division Two sides involved both extended their participation in this season's competition with wins against higher division opponents. Singh Sabha Barking, courtesy of a Jordan Hamilton goal, took Premier Division side Newham Res all the way to the dreaded penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw and prevailed, winning the shoot-out 4-1. They are joined in round 3 by Dagenham United who travelled to face Division One side, Chingford Town Res, and edged the match by the odd goal in five, winning 3-2. The winning goals came from Francis Mireku, Jonnell Bampo and Joe Price.

There was more penalty drama in the Division One Cup where Three Colts and London Bari Res shared 8 goals in a 4-4 draw before London Bari came through the shootout, winning 5-4. Goals from Joe Collins, Fabian Donovan and David Watson for Colts were canelled out by goals from Romeo Lopez (2), Jonathan Mosibe and Jonathan Atkins. St John's Deaf maintain their great start to the campaign in a game of two halves, coming from behind to defeat Glendale 8-2. Glendale's goals came from the boots of Kadeem Francis and Richard Kingston.

In Division Two Cup action, Cowley Community hosted Custom House with Cowley bagging a quarter-final place in a 3-1 scoreline. Goals from Izynna Ogedi-Uzokwe, Alex Wedgbury and Conor Harrington cancelled out Paul Wooster's strike for Custom House.

Back into the league action and with Premier Division leaders, May & Baker EC A, not in action this weekend, it gave a chance to the chasing pack to make up ground. Jolof Sports Club maintain their hold on second place with a closely fought 1-0 home win against Melbourne Sports with debutant Modou Toure bagging the all important winner. Chingford Town were also winners, 2-0 away at AAH Romford, while Chingford Athletic secured a 5-1 win at St Francis courtesy of a Michael Mignot hat-trick and singles from Tom Pearce and Tobias Hayden. Cranes United were winners by the odd goal in seven, winning 4-3 away at Chingford Harriers despite a double from Daniel Denton and a strike for Benjamin Stone for Harriers. Rainham Working Mens Club and Eastside Rangers share the points in a 3-3 draw with Rangers' goals arriving through John Mensah and Poku Omosu.

Northend caused the upset of the day in Division One with a 2-0 win at high-flying Vittoriosa Falcons where Christopher Hubble and Daniel Cameron scored the goals to secure the points.

Leyton Green continue their recent upturn in form with a 5-0 win on the road away at Northend Res, a result which keeps them atop of the Division Two table. West Essex Res and Grove United both had a chance to cut the lead at the top but were held to a 2-2 draw with Dan Spinks and Tom Blackmur netting for Grove. In the final game, Newham Royals were 2-1 home winners against St Francis Res for whom Damien Williams was on target with the consolation goal.

Next weekend, the focus turns to county cup action with seven of our teams representing our league in Essex or London competitions. Chingford Athletic make the journey once again to south Essex with a trip to Weir Sports while Chingford Town and Melbourne Sports have home ties against Sumners and Sheeting respectively. In Junior Trophy action, Northend travel to Southend Sports A and Singh Sabha Barking make the short trip to Flyers. West Essex Res have another home tie with the visit of Real Maldon. St Francis will be grateful for a home tie in their London Junior Cup fixture as Blackheath United travel to face them at Wanstead Flats. Good luck all!