WEEK 2 REVIEW: Round-up of all the EAL football action from the past week
For our latest news and updates, please enter your email address
SENIOR DIVISION
A busy week of football in the Senior Division saw another round of games in midweek with a goal-filled encounter on Tuesday evening where FC Petrocub made it two wins from two with a 6-3 success away at Crookz United in Dagenham. Vasilica-Cristinel Ilie and Ion Spinu both scored twice with Ghenadie Moisei and Grigorii Ungurianu netting the others to render United goals from Ben Joao, Abdouaziz Jeng and Tarik Aciyan as just consolation.
Over at Mayesbrook Park on Tuesday evening, despite a goal glut less than a mile away, it was a case of defences on top of the clash between Blue Marlin and Dagenham United as both sides sought to improve on their opening day efforts. Neither defence could be breached on the night which handed Blue Marlin a first point of the season while Dagenham doubled their tally too in an eventual 0-0 draw.
On Wednesday evening, a cracking game at Basildon United saw Woodford East make their home debut at the venue with Brimsdown their first visitors. Woodford led twice through Callum Maltese and Harry Robinson but a Jake Casey hat-trick in response from Brimsdown ensured they picked up a first win with Jason Rice scoring their other goal in a 4-2 success.
The start of the second week of action began on Friday evening as Jolof Sports' second game of the season saw the visit of Oakside to Mayesbrook Park, the latter looking to extend on a good first runout. A close game saw both sides settle for a share of the points as a Jolof opener from a set piece was levelled up by Sam Davie's close range finish in the first half as match finished 1-1.
Lymore Gardens put an end to FC Petrocub's perfect start to the season on Saturday as they came away with all three points in a 4-1 success at Noak Hill to move on to three points. Ion Spinu scored for the league leaders but Garden goals from George Dwobeng, Rodriguez Martin, Dylan Roberts and Tevell Peters gave the visitors an important points haul to get their tally underway.
In a day dominated by draws, the only other side to taste victory on Saturday was May & Bakers EC Reserves who are unbeaten after two games, adding a win on Saturday against Rapid Chingford to their name as they returned home 3-1 victors from their trip to Lakeside. Darius Egualeonan continued his good form with another goal, Oliver Beadle and Aaron Blake also on the scoresheet with efforts to cancel out a Constantin Banu goal from the hosts.
Sporting Hackney's opening game of the new season saw them in action at their new home ground at Wadham Lodge, taking on unbeaten Brimsdown. The game saw the sides battle hard to a 2-2 draw with Karim Bukleb and Joel Akuwudike both finding the back of the net to hand the hosts a solid point while the result saw Brimsdown keep up the pressure at the top of the table.
After the disappointment of a midweek defeat, Woodford East had a tough trip on Saturday to Ware to take on an FC Baresi side who have started in excellent form so far this campaign. Another close game saw the teams have to settle for a 1-1 draw on the day with Paul Benfield's goal for Baresi equalled by a Billy Barr strike from the visitors.
Over in Chigwell, last season's runners-up, Chadwell Heath Spartans, saw their final game at Chigwell Hall as Kit Out London made the journey over as both teams went in search of their first wins of the season. But another draw was the outcome as Peter Adeleye's first goal for Spartans was matched by Salim Adaghai scoring for the Kit Out as the game finished in a 1-1 draw.
Draws have been a big feature in the early season action and Dagenham United have certainly played their part in that as they made it three draws from three games on Saturday with a 1-1 result against opening day victors, Walthamstow Reserves, at Barking & Dagenham College. George Martin was on the scoresheet for United as the promoted side retained their unbeaten record.
The final game in the division came from Dagenham where Crookz United added another point to their tally as they ended level in a tight game with fellow promotees, Frenford Development, the Ilford based visitors putting their first point on the board. Neither side were able to find the back of the net with a second 0-0 draw of the week seeing the sides share the spoils.