WEEK 23 REVIEW: Round-up of Saturday's league and cup action

FENTON CUP

Grove United have become the first side to book their place in this season’s semi finals of the Fenton Cup after beating Blue Marlin on Saturday in a comfortable 4-1 scoreline. A goal apiece for each of Harry Chalk, Mike James, Billy Rungay and Shaun Farrow saw United through and just ninety minutes from a place at Dagenham & Redbridge in May.

PREMIER DIVISION CUP

Old Esthameians sprang a shock in the Premier Division Cup as they beat Chingford Athletic 3-2 in a pulsating encounter between the two sides at the weekend in Buckhurst Hill. Goals from Frankie Markham, Danny Morgan and Franceso Egbulefu were enough to take a victory by the odd goal and a home semi final against either Grove United or Melbourne Sports.

PREMIER DIVISION

Jolof Sports Club have returned to the top of the Premier Division table after a closely fought 3-2 victory on Saturday over fifth placed United London in Hackney. The hosts took an early lead but Jolof levelled and then scored twice in the second half to seemingly end the game but a late goal reduced arrears but Jolof held on. United goals from Kieran Smith and Stanley Green were cancelled out by strikes from Muhammed Ndow, Ahmadou Seye and Jeffrey Cobblah for Jolof.

LOASS’ return to action on Saturday saw them meet fellow strugglers Melbourne Sports in Leyton with both sides eyeing crucial points in the fight to avoid the drop. Ryan Lincoln was on the scoresheet for the Mels but LOASS found the back of the net three times to secure a 3-1 win.

London Falcons picked up an eighth win of the campaign on a trip to Rainham to take on bottom of the table Rainham Working Mens Club. Charlie Rouse and Daniel Vearer both scored twice for Falcons and Harry Rouse completed the scoring to cancel out Rainham goals from Tony Maynard and Michael Aramide.

DIVISION ONE

Colebrook Royals are now just two wins away from securing the Division One league title after results all went their way at the weekend. Royals picked up a comfortable victory in beating St Francis 6-0 with two goals from Robert Davies and singles from Nicky Steward, Matthew Judge, Thomas Smith.

That result was coupled with a surprise 5-0 victory for Sporting Hackney Reserves against title challengers Three Colts in Hackney.  The win for the Parrots moved them up to sixth in the table with four games left to go.

West Essex Reserves promotion challenge is very much now in their hands and was aided by a closely fought win over struggling Singh Sabha Barking on Saturday as they ran out 2-1 winners aided by goals from Lloyd Renvoize and Adam Norris.

DIVISION TWO

The promotion race in Division Two is as you were with both of the top two sides victorious on Saturday. Ryan Reserves stay top by two points after picking up a 2-0 win over fourth-placed Forest Green.

Colebrook Royals Reserves remain within striking distance of top spot themselves after beating local rivals Chigwell Rovers in a 4-2 victory. James Smith and Bradley Wyatt were both on target for the hosts but Royals’ goals from Sam Smith, Blake Young, Ashley Somers and Jamie Rolt completed victory.

Third placed Chingford Athletic Reserves were held to an enthralling 3-3 draw in the Chingford derby against Chingford Harriers. Lee Newport, Sean Clarke and Michael Boahene all found the back of the net for Athletic but Nicholas Shawyer’s brace plus a strike from Adam Eastick levelled things up to share the points.

Old Barkabbeyans Reserves scooped themselves an important win as they moved up two places in the table with a 1-0 win over Lymore Gardens in Barking. Alex Glover netted the only goal of the game to enhance the host’s chances of beating the drop.

Inter Plaistow have moved up to sixth place in the table following a win by the odd goal away at Avondale Rangers. Rakeim Blaize and Tosin Blacky both scored for Plaistow to help them cancel out a Paul Regan strike for the hosts and secure a 2-1 win.

DIVISION THREE

Custom House took advantage of the leaders being out of action this weekend with a 5-0 victory away at St Francis Reserves on Saturday. Sam Wilkinson scored twice for his side with Richard Bazley, Paul Wooster and Kelvin Bartlett netting one each to take home the points and close the gap to seven points on Wapping.

Flyers have moved up to third position in the table after also putting five goals past their opponents in the shape of Brentwood United Reserves. Daniel Ezeorji scooped a brace and Jack Swaby also scored to help the visitors to a win over their Romford rivals.

Royal Forest remain in touch with the sides in mid-table after securing a hard fought 2-1 win at the weekend over Wanstead Warriors in Hainault. James Baum and Sam Porter both netted for Forest to help them to a fifth victory of the campaign.