WEEK 25 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and cup action from the weekend

FENTON CUP

The first Fenton Cup quarter final for almost two years was completed on Saturday as the reversed Oakside and DTFC fixture went ahead at the Harlow Arena in blustery conditions. Despite a tricky looking tie on paper, there was no slip up by the Senior Division leaders as DTFC ran out 6-2 winners in the end to confirm their spot in the semi finals.

FENTON TROPHY

The last quarter final in the Trophy competition also reached a conclusion on Saturday as Old Esthameians travelled to Loughton to take on Royal Forest for a place in the last four. A competitive game was settled by the odd goal in five with Old E’s the side taking the plaudits in a 3-2 scoreline, securing a home semi final against Unitey.

PREMIER DIVISION CUP

It was quarter final day for two sides in the Premier Division Cup too where Dagenham United and Wapping renewed acquaintances once again, meeting for a place in the semi finals at Castle Green. Undeterred by their reverse last weekend, Wapping walked away comfortable 3-0 winners on Saturday with Jordon Mills-Smith scoring twice and Imran Hussain the other.

DIVISION ONE CUP

Two of the Division One Cup last eight games also beat the weather with Belfry in impressive form once again as they faced close rivals Cowley Community in their first round tie at May & Bakers. The league leaders however were imperious on the day with Kieran James scoring twice to go with other goals from Gabriel Ogunwomoju, Solomon Ogunwomoju and Ryan O’Connell in a 5-0 victory.

Also into the hat for the last four are RCXI who had a battle on their hands with the visit of an in-form Ilford Reserves side to Belhus Park over the weekend. A close game was settled by the odd goal as Elliot Adeoye and Ayo Matthews efforts were enough to take their side through, overcoming a Mario-Angelino Lipetz effort in a 2-1 scoreline.

DIVISION TWO CUP

Division Two’s Cup competition saw first round action with the shock of the day coming from Oaks Park High School where bottom of the table Newbury East pulled off a terrific victory in the shootout against high-flying Emerson & Upminster Reserves. KD Hussain was in great form with a hat-trick and Safwan Selant netted the other to render Emerson goals from Alfie Jones, Ben Lamb and Marcus Williams strikes as just consolation.

Over in Walthamstow, two of the division’s strugglers towards the bottom end of the table looked to reignite their campaigns as Loughton Lions travelled over to take on Ryan Under 23s. It was Lions who walked away the happier of the two teams as Tom Osmond scored twice and Lucas Maxwell netted the other to win the tie 3-1.

DIVISION FOUR CUP

It was a great afternoon for Sporting Pillars in the Division Four Cup Quarter Final as they returned from Castle Green with a big win and a place in the last four, defeating hosts Dagenham United Reserves in an 8-1 scoreline. A Rayan Allam hat-trick, braces from Emanuel Jacob and Daniel Gutierrez, and singles from David Dagun and Rhyss Tappenden confirmed an imperious win for the visitors, Brendon Taylor scoring the United consolation.

SENIOR DIVISION

Three games survived the elements in the Senior Division with Jolof Sports the side making up the most ground on Saturday as they took home all three points with a 3-1 win away at Kit Out London. Marlon Ortiz struck the Kit Out goal with two Papa Ndiaye efforts and a Joshua Kweifio-Okai goal handing Jolof an important victory in their bid to put pressure on at the top.

That result was made all the more important as two of the top four sides met in Chigwell with Woodford East looking to cut the deficit at the top against second placed Chadwell Heath Spartans. The hosts had led twice with Harry Payne netting both for Spartans but Woodford fought back to level it at 2-2 by full-time with Adam Tabbani and Kieran Bruns goals ensuring they took a point.

Over at Mabley Green, Lymore Gardens had an opportunity to take advantage of that slip by two sides around them and they duly obliged, earning themselves a narrow 2-1 win against a relegation threatened Tower United side. Ryo Brown and Gracia Muhemba both struck for Garden with Abubakar Maxamed’s goal giving Tower their consolation on the day.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, there were two big results affecting things at the bottom end of the table with Forest Green putting in a strong performance to earn a valuable three points against Kwanzas London Sport to move them six points clear of the relegation zone. A single goal was all it took to separate the teams with Green 1-0 victors at Leyton Sixth Form, their fifth win of the season.

Over at Wanstead Flats, ninth placed Renegade were the visitors to take on a top half Something From Nothing side knowing they were also in desperate need of some points to steer clear of troubled waters. Renegade will be pleased with their afternoon’s work, winning the game 4-2 with goals from Okwute Izuchukwu, Nana Baah, Andre Periera and Praise The Lord Masasu. Oscar Walton and Temi Alaka struck the SFN goals in reply but their efforts proved in vain.

DIVISION THREE

There was just the one game in Division Three completed but what an important game it proved to be as Old Barkabbeyans Reserves put promotion in their hands with a big 6-2 win against Royal Forest Reserves. Doubles from Mitchell Day and Michael Ryder plus Robbie Osborne and Jay Elliott efforts were more than enough for the win, Will Asenso and Dodou Lette scoring for the Trees.

DIVISION FOUR

The sole game in Division Four saw Avondale Rangers in action at home against sixth placed Newham & Havering Borough, the latter going into the game with a three point lead over their opponents. But that was cut to just goal difference following a 4-1 Rangers win as James Whitbread, Jake Clarke, Peter Moles and Blaijan Kitufueni struck, countering a Joshua Morgan-Seki goal for Borough.