WEEK 16 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and cup action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

The opening December action brought a glut of goals in the Senior Division with big results affecting both ends of the table. The lead at the top of the table was cut to two points as Lymore Gardens produced a big performance to beat leaders Chadwell Heath Spartans in a 4-0 scoreline. An Andre Rashford hat-trick and Dylan Robert’s goal made sure of the points to leave Garden just four points off the pace.

The deficit was therefore cut to two points after DTFC moved themselves to the dizzy heights of second with a hard fought victory away at CSM London. That result enabled the Harlow based side to record an eighth league victory, winning 2-0 to hand them a significant advantage in the title race with games in hand.

There was a huge result at the very bottom of the table where Chigwell Town will have been very happy with their afternoon’s efforts in recording a first league win of the campaign, a 5-2 win against Tower United, cutting the gap to safety to just seven points. A Harry Tew-Robinson hat-trick proved vital with Joe Creasey and Jamie Odoki’s efforts leading the way. Abubakar Maxamed scored for Tower goal in reply.

There was also victory for FC Petrocub over in Hainault where they were the visitors to a top half Leyton Royal side at Fairlop Oak. But it was the visitors who will have left the more content of the sides, edging a five goal thriller 3-2 to move to within three points of their opponents.

Over in Noak Hill, Kit Out London were the hosts as they faced Blue Marlin who were looking to respond to their midweek reverse in positive fashion. Despite missing a number of changes at Mayesbrook Park on Tuesday, Marlin were in fine form, scoring four. But Kit Out know where the goal is too and scored four of their own through Marlon Ortiz (2), Daniel Muamba and Millensebas Montfort to take a point apiece.

In another huge result for the sides chasing the title, two of the challengers faced up to each other in East Ham as Woodford East were in town to take on Jolof Sports at Flanders. The in-form East scored twice through Callum Maltese but Jolof battled hard themselves and ensured they left with a point in a 2-2 draw, a result which was more important for other sides around them in truth.

In the division’s final game, one of those rare occurences saw FC Baresi and Rapid Chingford finish goalless in a 0-0 draw at the Britannia which saw both clubs collect a point. Rapid started the day seven points adrift of their loftier opponents and that was how the gap stayed by full-time with defences on top in this one.

PREMIER DIVISION

The Premier Division leaders, Frenford A, were able to extend their advantage at the top by a further point on Saturday after they ran out comfortable 5-0 victors in their home game against Athletic Newham Under 23s. That result saw them secure a seventh league victory, moving their points tally to twenty-two for the season.

Dagenham United made the most of results around them to jump into second spot as they edged a close game in Walthamstow against North East Lions. Debutant Tyreek Buntin came off the bench to score twice for United, adding to David Olanipekun’s effort in a 3-2 success. Tashan Benjamin and Shane Thomas struck the Lions goals in reply but they proved in vain.

An intriguing clash between two of the other promotion challengers finished level at 1-1 over at Castle Green where Wapping and Crookz United cancelled each other out. Both sides dropped vital points in their respective challenges with Wapping now sitting third while Crookz, with games in hand, sit fifth. Stephan Trah was the Crookz scorer to ensure they took a point.

At the other end of the table, there was a hugely important victory for London Cranes who moved themselves clear of any imminent relegation danger by picking up three points in an 8-2 home win against All Prospects. The experienced Mathius Sendawula certainly knows where the goal is and he scored four, Muhammad Mutesasira struck twice while Bruno Mwasnje and Abbey Sebyala grabbed one each.

DIVISION ONE

The leadership of the third tier has changed hands once again as Cowley Community moved top of the standings once again, defeating Ilford Reserves 3-1 over in Newbury Park to continue their run of form presently. Chris Wright bagged a brace and Lekan Bakare scored the other to hand their side a crucial win in the race for the title.

Belfry kept up with the pace at the top themselves, moving to within just three points of the leaders with their sixth league win on the spin to maintain their perfect start. Fellow high-flyers Wanstead were the side to lose out on this occasion, falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat to check their progress so far but they do remain fourth in the standings.

There was a huge result for bottom of the table Francis Luke as they pulled off a terrific 3-2 win away against previously top of the table RCXI. Just goal difference is between them and safety now as Kennerly Cassius scored twice and Adam Rowe once to confirm their second league win of the season.

There was also a victory for the second bottom placed side where Kwanzas London Sport made the trip to Leyton to take on Forest Green, Green going into the contest with a three point advantage over their rivals. That lead was wiped out by the end of the game as Kwanzas won 3-0 to move level with their opponents and ever closer to safety.

The remaining game in the division saw Newham Wanderers in home action with the visit of Renegade to Wanstead Flats, the sides separated by five points and four league positions going into the fixture. And that was how it remained by full time as the two sides shared the spoils in an eventual 1-1 draw.

DIVISION TWO

Old Esthameians have closed up the gap at the top of Division Two to just three points following the weekend’s results as they earned themselves a seventh win of the season, beating St Francis in a 2-0 scoreline at the Flats. That saw Old E’s move their points tally into twenty one for the season and in touching distance of the leaders, albeit from a game more.

Also sitting on that twenty one point tally are Unitey who moved to that tally themselves on Sunday following a big 5-0 win against one of the division’s other challengers, Emerson & Upminster Reserves. Ahmed Dousa scored a hat-trick for his side with Ishwar Ravi and Bubintende Masadi netting the others in an emphatic performance.

The very much in-form FHN Athletic are also looking to be a serious threat to the sides around them at the top of the table and they sit fourth presently, just a couple of places outside of the promotion places after a 7-1 success on Saturday against Loughton Lions. Harry Drew scored the Lions goal but that proved just consolation as the rampant FHN responded with seven of their own.

DIVISION THREE

There were plenty of goals in Division Three though the big game of the day at the very top of the table ended in a 1-1 score draw as leaders FC Baresi Under 23s maintained their lead at the top for the short term at least as rivals Royal Forest Reserves dropped their first points of the season. Kii Jean-Baptiste scored the Baresi goal with Tom Alexander scoring the other for the Trees.

That result enabled Melbourne Sports to move level with the second placed side as they picked up a sixth league win of the season with a thumping 6-1 away victory at Buckhurst Way. The Mels have been in fine scoring form this season and now have thirty five goals in the league, trailing by just goal difference to the sides above.

There were wins for the next two sides also as, firstly, Lymore Gardens Reserves continued their ascent up the table with an extraordinary 10-5 win at bottom of the table Terin. Edmund Adade and Ali Swamad scored twice and Nabil Salim once for the hosts but Lymore hat-tricks for Rob Small and Warren Isoka, two for Errol Dinnal-Treasure and one apiece from Omani Green and Rizwan Hussain ended a goal scoring spectacle.

It was also a winning afternoon for Together United as they were also involved in a high-scoring game, coming out on the right side of an 8-3 win against Flyers Under 23s. That result enabled the Walthamstow based side to move up a place to seventh, taking advantage of results around them to shift upwards.

There was also victory for Glendale who made it two wins on the spin, moving well clear of the sides below with a terrific win against ASA despite holding a six point deficit going into the game. Attila Szabo scored twice, once in each half with Maryis Shamku’s finish midway through the second half seeing the Dales to a 3-1 win.

DIVISION FOUR

Chingford Harriers will have been pleased with their afternoon’s work as they opened their lead at the top to five points and saw challengers drop points too. Harriers won 6-1, defeating West Essex Under 23s, as Suleman Yusuf and Darnell Lamothe scoring twice each alongside strikes from Dave Birchnall and Nick Shawyer. Javen Cole grabbed the consolation effort for West.

Dagenham United Reserves decent form in recent weeks was also extended with a win against second in the table Fairlop Rovers Reserves. Cain Dash scored twice with Mamadou Soumare, Tyler Leon and Prince Eboegbulem also finding the back of the net to give their side a 5-1 win in Barkingside.

There was also a great result for Emerson & Upminster A who were at home over the weekend and faced the visit of Sporting Pillars who have dropped back in the promotion race in recent weeks. Emerson took advantage of that in recording a 2-0 victory as Garry Ashworth and Tosin Olasanoye efforts gave their side the points.

Flyers Under 21s are another side who have found themselves in decent form in recent weeks and they sit in third in the table, aided by their most win which saw them defeat Avondale Rangers 3-1 at King George’s. Sam Maydell, Alex Grant and Tom O’Sullivan all struck for the hosts as they secured a fifth league win of the campaign.