WEEK 12 REVIEW: Chingford Athletic through in county cup; Goal feast across the leagues

The wintery weather finally took hold this weekend but fortunately the fixture list was not greatly affected. In county cup action, Chingford Athletic join Melbourne Sports in the hat for the 4th round of the Essex Junior Cup following a terrific 7-1 win against their Southend-based opponents, Weir Sports. Their reward is a tie against Great Baddow in January. Chingford Town's participation came to an end with a 3-2 defeat against visitors Sumners who go on to face Melbourne Sports in the next round.

In the AFA Intermediate Cup 2nd round, Leyton Green had a long trip south of the Thames to face Old Westminster Citizens Res but their trip was not a fruitful one as they were sadly beaten 4-1 to end their involvement in that competition this season.

The first semi finalists for this seasons were confirmed this weekend as Vittoriosa Falcons ran out 7-0 winners against Lord Nelson in the Division One Cup with a hat-trick from Daniel Vearer, a double from Glen Reeves and a single from Daniel Palmer seeing them through.

There were goals galore in the Premier Division this week with no less than 24 goals scored in just three matches which meant it was certainly not a day to be a defender! Second placed Jolof Sports Club picked up maximum points in a tight encounter against visitors St Francis with a 4-3 win. Modou Sankareh was in the goals again with a hat-trick adding to Tahin Landry's strike which cancelled out Saints' goals from Danny Schietaert, Jake McMullen and Jack Luck. AAH Romford picked up a good 6-3 win against Cranes United to keep themselves away from relegation difficulties aided by a Steven Richards hat-trick, two goals from Ryan Quincey and a single from Joseph Tizard. Newham Res came from 4-2 down to snatch a point in an exciting 4-4 draw with Melbourne Sports. Brandon Dujon was the main star for Newham with all four goals, cancelling our strikes from Ben Taylor, John Shubert, Gavin Merrifield and Marcus Hill for Mels.

In Division One, Glendale secured the result of the day, missing an early penalty and then trailing to Jeffrey Nketia's goal for London Bari Res but eventually winning 2-1 with goals from John Taylor and Kalu Olugu to secure maximum points for the first time this season. Leaders Blue Marlin were 4-2 winners away at Northend to extend their lead at the top despite a Luke Gabriel double for the hosts while a Thomas Walsh hat-trick assisted Forest Green to a 4-1 win against Chingford Town Res with the fourth goal coming from Ricky Stewart.

Game of the day in Division Two was at West Essex Res with the hosts running out winners by the odd goal in nine, 5-4, against Custom House. A Paul Wooster hat-trick and a single from Robert Wooster for Custom House were sadly in consolation as Charles Saunders, Samuel Brown, Lloyd Renvoize, Harry Finch and Gary Barnett found the back of the net for West Essex. Cowley Community closed the gap at the top of the table to a single point following a closely fought 1-0 win against Northend Res with Thom Bryan on target. Also closing the gap at the top were Grove United who defeated an in-form Dagenham United side 5-1 away to maintain their charge for promotion. Canio moved up to eighth in the table with a 3-2 win away at St Francis Res as Zakari Wundowa, Robert Haim and Nathan Leak found the back of the net to cancel out Saints' strikes from Marcel Byfield and Damien Williams. In the final game of the day, another goal filled encounter, Singh Sabha Barking drew 3-3 away at Newham Royals with Christopher Cuming, Kristopher Griffin and Lewis Stichbury scoring for Royals and Jordan Hamilton, Raphael Grant and Barni Lakhan responding for Singh Sabha to share the points.