WEEK 29 REVIEW: Round-up of the Easter Saturday league and cup action

Fenton Cup

The first of this season’s cup final line-ups was confirmed this Easter Saturday with both of the Fenton Cup semi-finals completed in egg-citing fashion!

In the first of those matches, there was a cracking match-up that saw Division Three’s title favourites, FC Baresi, taking on Division One’s Docklands Albion. Despite the lack of goals on the scoresheet, this wasn’t a reflection on the number of chances created by both sides in a free-flowing game of football. Ultimately, the moment that mattered came mid-way through the first half as Kamal Creary broke in behind and slotted home at the near post to earn Docklands their place in the final on 28th April.

The day’s other game was equally filled with goal-scoring chances as Division Two’s title challenging outfit, ACD United, took on Division One’s Forest Green for a chance to book a place at Dagenham & Redbridge for the winning club. Green were out of the blocks quickly, with a superb Marcel Destouche effort from range giving them an early lead. But ACD showed their quality with a five goals of their own to despatch their higher-division opposition in another giant-killing. Michael Wade was the hero with a hat-trick with Shaun Allen and Connor Lambert doing the damage to confirm a place against Docklands in the final.

Division One Cup

There was quarter-final action in the weekend’s Division One Cup where Melbourne Sports took on Singh Sabha Barking in a rearranged tie with the winner taking their place in the semi-finals against either Ryan Reserves or Docklands Albion.  The Mels will be the happier of the two sides as they ran out 3-1 winners of the day with Ryan Lincoln and Russell Laird both netting to carry their side through to the last four.

Premier Division

In the Premier Division, there was a huge shock at the top end of the table as United London fell to defeat on the road at Lopes Tavares London, going down 3-2 in West Ham. That result leaves United needing to win their last game and hope that Colebrook slip up in at least two of their remaining three games to keep their title hopes alive.

Division Two

There are new leaders in Division Two this weekend as Chingford Athletic Reserves made their assault on the league title with an important win at United London Reserves on Saturday. The in-form Umar Ali was key once again, netting four goals with Billy Harding scoring the fifth in a high-scoring 5-3 victory.

Rainham Working Mens Club saw their own title challenge stumble on Saturday as they fell to defeat at home to Lymore Gardens. A pair of goals for Josh Morris, assisted by a cleansheet display by the visitor’s defence, helped Lymore to record an eleventh victory of the season, moving them up to fifth place in the process.

Inter Plaistow have climbed to eighth place in the standings as they took on Flyers at the weekend with both sides safely placed in the middle of the table. Hosts goals from Kelenna Onyaeka and Jason O’Hare were enough to edge a tight encounter by the odd goal as Inter recorded the 2-1 win, their eighth win of their season.

There were plenty of goals in Leyton as Forest Green Reserves and Custom House shared an eight-goal haul. The Dockers managed to net five of them however with Bradley Routledge’s hat-trick proving important with Glenn Levy and Robert Wooster also scoring to earn their side a 5-3 win, moving their team up to ninth place in the table.

Newham United Reserves were victorious in their match at St Francis, cruising to a 4-1 victory against the Saints at Wanstead Flats. That result unfortunately sees the host’s relegation confirmed with their remaining three matches not enough to overcome an eleven point deficit to the safe clubs above them.

Division Three

There was just a single game in a weather-affected Division Three fixture list as Frenford A played host to local rivals, New Star Soccer, in the Ilford derby. A Jack Darby hat-trick for the hosts proved critical in clipping the wings of semi-final bound New Star with Reece Morley also netting to found off a 4-1 victory for Frenford. Kemston Allen scored the New Star consolation goal.

Division Four

In Division Four, the promotion picture is still unclear but Royal Forest have given themselves the best chance of going up following a hugely important win against Brook City on Saturday in Hainault. A win by the odd goal in three saw Forest confirm a 2-1 win and move five points clear of their opposition who will need to win both remaining matches to take runners-up.