WEEK 22 REVIEW: Round-up of Saturday's league and cup action

SENIOR DIVISION

Another weather-impacted weekend saw Dennis hit our fixture list hard but some football did survive. FC Petrocub took advantage of the weather to cut the lead at the top to just four points as they bounced back from defeat last week to see off East Ham Inter 4-1 in the Noak Hill derby. Ghenadie Moisei scored twice with Vasilica-Cristinel Ilie and Alexandru Iusco goals overcoming an Adam Bessadi effort from the hosts.

FC Baresi got themselves back on the winning trail on Saturday as they overcame Blue Marlin in Newbury Park, helping themselves to a sixth league win of the season so far and leapfrogging their opponents in the process. A goal apiece from Mark Matthews and Stanley Green were sufficient on the day to edge a close goal by the odd goal in a 2-1 scoreline, countering a Tyreese Robinson strike for the hosts.

In the top flight’s other game this weekend, Chingford Athletic Reserves decent run of form continued as they took all three points from their away trip to CSM London in East Ham. Two second half goals were the difference between the sides as Warren Isoka and Omani Green efforts secured a 2-0 victory, moving their side further away from any relegation worries.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, Chingford United have moved themselves to the brink of promotion and the league title, aided by their most recent victory which saw them win 5-0 at home against Forest Green at Salisbury Hall. That result saw them move five points clear and victory in their next match, coupled with results elsewhere, would be enough to crack open the champagne bottles.

The division’s only other surviving game came from Mabley Green where one of those rare occurrences, a goalless draw, was witnessed between Tower Hamlet Reserves and London Park City. That point proved important for City though who were able to move up a place and out of the relegation zone while Hamlet remain fifth in the standings.

DIVISION TWO

Just the one game survived the storm as Rainham Working Mens Club were paid a visit by Cowley Community with the sides positioned third and fifth respectively prior to kick off. But it will be the Workies who ended the happier of the sides as they ran out 2-1 victors through a goal apiece from Gozie Ndukwe and Sean Tormey, a result which moves them level with second place on goal difference.

DIVISION THREE

It was a similarly dreary fixture picture in Division Three where only one of five games were playable and that game saw Debden Park move into a two goal lead against Flyers Development. But Flyers mounted a comeback with Jason Collins and Jack Swaby goals helping them come back to win the contest 3-2.

DIVISION FOUR

The headline result of the day comes from Division Four where the all-conquering Woodford East finally saw their long unbeaten run terminated with the league leaders going down 4-3 to ninth placed Brentwood United Reserves in a seven-goal thriller. That result was United’s third win of the season and was particularly remarkable having lost 9-0 twice to the same opponents in the last three weeks!

There were another seven goals at Hainault Rec although this was a somewhat more routine win as Loughton Lions were 7-0 winners at home against Newham Royals. Will Osmond stormed his way to a four-goal haul with Alex Stone, Harrison Andrews and Alex Nicoll efforts accounting for the other goals.

Completing the day’s action, the most local of derby games saw co-tenants Chingford Harriers and Together United combine in a game of just one goal in their clash in Walthamstow. United got it Together to be the beneficiaries of that strike, beating Harriers 1-0 to consolidate sixth place in the table.