WEEK 16 REVIEW: Round-up of Saturday's league and county cup action
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PREMIER DIVISION
The reigning champions Chingford Athletic took perhaps their biggest step towards a third successive title on Saturday as their thumping win along with results for those around them has seen a six point gap open up at the top. There was a league record 17-0 victory for the champions over Rainham Working Mens Club where Gary Murray scored six goals and there were hat-tricks for Anton Trice and William Gleeson. Further goals from Michael Hay (2), David Livie, Zaikhan Kazley and Ralph McBaiden completed a profitable 2016 for Chingford.
United London remain second in the table but have lost ground on the leaders following a 3-2 defeat at home on Saturday against neighbours London Falcons. United led early in the game but were pegged back by the plucky sixth placed Falcons side who secured an important victory for themselves.
Winning their fifth league match of the season at the weekend were Blue Marlin who hosted the in-form Old Esthameians in Barkingside and came away 3-2 winners on the day. Isaac Olaleye scored twice for Marlin with Chibueze Anyaegbu also striking to secure a win that keeps the hosts in seventh position in the table and six points clear of the relegation battle beneath them.
DIVISION ONE
Colebrook Royals were big 7-1 winners at the weekend as they took on old rivals Ferns Seniors at The Grange. With visibility at a premium, Chris Stowe’s return from injury to the Royals’ front line helped them to the victory as he helped himself to a hat-trick with George Brislen-Hall (2), Tony Allen and Matthew Judge completing the scoring although the scoreline doesn’t necessary reflect the number of chances that Ferns had to keep themselves in the match. Lee Niven was on target with the Ferns consolation goal.
In the division’s other match, a quite remarkable match between Sporting Hackney Reserves and East Ham International see-sawed from one team to the other with Hackney racing into a 2-0 before Inter recovered to lead 3-2 at the break. Another comeback this time from the hosts saw Sporting Hackney record a 4-3 win to stay above their opponents in the table. Olajide Yusuff and debutant Mohammed Namoun both scored twice
DIVISION TWO
Ryan Reserves have returned to the top of the pile in Division Two and will be top for Christmas after beating Old Barkabbeyans Reserves 3-1 at Barking Abbey. Christopher Plummer was on target for the hosts but it was Ryan were took the win and open up a four point gap at the top.
Forest Green are now second in the table but were made to work hard for a point as they drew 2-2 with ninth placed Avondale Rangers on Saturday. Green led twice in the game but plucky Rangers levelled on both occasions to take home a well-earned point from the game.
DIVISION THREE
St Francis Reserves were the biggest winners in Division Three at the weekend as they secured a third win of the season with an 8-0 win against Brentwood United Reserves at Wanstead Flats. Hat-tricks for both Jerard Cabey and Benjamin George were the difference with John Stevens and Luke McCarey also netting in the resounding win.
A single goal was enough to settle things in the match between Old Esthameians Reserves and Royal Forest as Thomas Boomsma netted the only goal of the game in a 1-0 victory. The E’s remain eighth in the table to maintain, four points behind Brentwood United.
And rounding off the league action for 2016 were Wanstead Warriors and Newham Royals where the latter scooped a sixth win of the campaign in winning 3-0. That victory sees the Royals move up to sixth in the table and back in touch with the chasing pack.
NATIONAL CUP
St Johns Deaf travelled to Doncaster Deaf on Sunday in their British Deaf Football National Cup Quarter Final but despite a Jason McLean goal forcing the game into extra time, they came home empty handed following a 2-1 defeat.