WEEK 27 REVIEW: Colebrook Royals confirmed as Division 1 champions

PREMIER DIVISION CUP

Grove United have booked themselves a place in the semi-finals of the Premier Division Cup this season following a hard fought victory on Saturday over Melbourne Sports. Despite being a man down, the sides finished level at 0-0 at full time before Grove prevailed 4-2 in the shootout to book a last four encounter away at Old Esthameians next weekend.

DIVISION ONE CUP

Another side who needed a penalty shootout to progress in a cup competition were Cowley Community who finished level at 3-3 against Division One rivals, St Johns Deaf at the Flats. Yaseen Miah and Marios Costi were both on target for St Johns before Izunna Ogedi-Uzokwe’s brace and a Rodney Capemba goal levelled things up. And it was Cowley who eventually took the victory, winning the shootout 3-2 to book a quarter final against Colebrook Royals.

PREMIER DIVISION

The title race in the Premier Division continues to intrigue with the division once again having new leaders in the form of Old Esthameians. Their victory on Saturday, a 3-2 win over title rivals Chingford Athletic was secured through two own goals and a Danny Morgan strike to throw the championship wide open.

Lopes Tavares London have virtually secured their place in the Premier Division again next season following a 6-2 home victory on Saturday against United London. Their fifth win of the campaign keeps them eighth in the table despite a goal each for Joel Griffiths and Jermeel Jno-Baptiste for United.

Moving up a place in the table to sixth on Saturday were Blue Marlin who hosted LOASS at Barkingside Rec with the visitors needing a victory to help them towards safety. But it was the hosts who came through the match winning 3-1.

DIVISION ONE

Colebrook Royals have been confirmed as the league’s Division One champions this weekend with a 5-0 home victory over Kitgum Boys at the Grange. Chris Stowe, so often a hero for his side, once again netted a hat-trick to help his side on their way with Richard Klein scoring a brace to complete a resounding victory and spark the celebrations. Congratulations to all involved in what has been a terrific season so far with a league and cup double still on the cards.

West Essex Reserves missed the chance to go back to second in the table as they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to St Francis at the weekend. West are now four points behind second placed Three Colts with a game in hand with five games to go. The crucial point for the Saints takes them to within a point of safety and with a game in hand on East Ham International.

There was also a crucial point secured by Ferns Seniors who moved three points clear of the sides below them with a 1-1 draw at home to Sporting Hackney Reserves in Hainault. Sean Howe scored the all-important goal for the home side to give them a point.

DIVISION TWO

Avondale Rangers and Chigwell Rovers shared a mouth-watering eleven goals at the weekend as the Rangers came through by the odd goal in a 6-5 victory in their local derby. James Smith netted twice for Rovers with strikes from Perry Hollingsworth, Will Osmond and Kadeem Francis proving not quite enough on the day.

Another side finding the back of the net on plenty of occasions this weekend were Chingford Athletic Reserves who, despite being level at 2-2 with Glendale at half-time, put in a sparkling second half performance to win 7-2. Aaron French scored four goals with Khalil Kirwan-Meade netting twice and Sam French once to round off the victory.

A mid-table derby saw the points shared with Chingford Harriers and Inter Plaistow netting a goal apiece in a 1-1 draw. Daniel Denton scored for the hosts Harriers with a Danny Vass strike levelling things for Inter as the sides remain seventh and sixth respectively.

Old Barkabbeyans Reserves have secured Division Two football for next season having earned a valuable point in a goalless draw at home to Forest Green at the weekend. The point was also enough for Green to hold on to third place in the table but ruled out their hopes of a top two finish this year at least.

DIVISION THREE

Flyers have once again thrown a spanner in the works of the title chasing sides with a second consecutive win over the two title chasing sides at the weekend. Their latest victory, a 2-1 home win over Custom House was completed with goals from Patrick Okoji and Sean Watson to maintain their own outside hopes of a top-two finish this season.

Wapping bounced back from their defeat last weekend by putting thirteen goals past Newham Royals without reply on Saturday. Adel Mouaden scored five goals for his side with Billy Tiff also scoring a hat-trick, adding to a Fuad Ibrahim brace and singles from Abu Khan, Abderrahmane Teladjati and Mohammed Hussain.

The terrific recent form of Old Esthameians Reserves showed no sign of abating on Saturday as they travelled to Hainault to take on Royal Forest and returned home with the points in a 3-1 victory. Alex Booker, Harry Coffey and Jack Smerdon all found the back of the net to confirm the win.

Keeping their place in fourth position were Kitroom who confirmed a ninth league win of the season with a 4-2 victory over St Francis Reserves. Two goals from Demetri Marcus and a Lewis McCarthy strike proved the difference on the day to take home the points and hold on to fourth place in the table.