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WEEK 30 REVIEW: Round-up of Saturday's EAL league and cup action

WEEK 30 REVIEW: Round-up of Saturday's EAL league and cup action

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PREMIER DIVISION CUP

There was high drama on Saturday as a number of cup finals took place with eight clubs seeking a place at Dagenham & Redbridge next month. In the Premier Division Cup, the first of the semi-finals to be completed saw Lopes Tavares London travel to West Essex Reserves, buoyed by their recent over United London. In a terrific game, it took a last minute equaliser from West Essex to rescue a 2-2 draw and force the match to a penalty shootout. And having snatched that equaliser they turned the match on its head as just a single penalty save from the West Essex keeper separated the sides to send their side through to the final!

DIVISION ONE CUP

In an equally well contested Division One Cup semi-final at the weekend, Cowley Community took on Three Colts with both sides looking to get something out of a relatively disappointing season thus far. The cup holders, Three Colts, were keen to defend their crown and it took just a single goal in this one with the holders booking their return to Dagenham in a 1-0 victory. They will now face the winners of the upcoming tie between Docklands Albion and Melbourne Sports.

Docklands Albion were able to confirm that place in the semi-final with a quarter final victory on Saturday as they travelled the short distance to Chingford to face Ryan Reserves at Parmiters. The Fenton Cup finalists clearly have a liking for the cup competitions and remain on the trail of a treble, securing a 3-1 victory at Ryan to book their place in the last four.

DIVISION TWO CUP

It was also Division Two Cup semi-final day for two of our clubs with United London Reserves looking to become cup finalists for the first time, taking on fellow league debutants this season in the shape of Lionside. Tenth placed Lionside were looking to spring somewhat of a shock result against their loftier opponents and they got their reward for a hard-working performance with Martyn Rifat and Michael Kane proving the heroes for their side to win 2-1 and confirm their place in the final against Chingford Athletic or ACD United.

DIVISION THREE CUP

There were two quarter finals played in the Division Three Cup competition at the weekend as Gatcliffe played host to Redbridge Development with the Motormen going into the match as clear favourites. But the recent form of Gatcliffe makes them one of the sides to watch in the remaining weeks of the season and they will now have a semi-final to look forward to as well, seeing off Redbridge with a Chris Bird hat-trick, two goals from each of James Hobday and Michael Desmond plus a Klodan Meta goal to confirm an 8-3 victory.

In the day’s other quarter-final, two of the division’s top sides met in Hainault where Chigwell were hoping to halt the progress of FC Baresi who are looking odds on at the bookies to record a league and cup double this season. FC Baresi led early but the match saw a long stoppage due to a broken leg to one of their players whom we wish the best of luck to in his recovery. They rode the Chigwell storm to score twice more, recording a 3-0 win and a semi-final spot against the in-form Gatcliffe. Andre Whyte, Sikander Khan and Tyler Kirby were the men on target for the victors.

DIVISION FOUR CUP

The remainder of the day’s cup action saw the first of two Division Four Cup semi-finals as Royal Forest looked to book their place in a cup final for the first time, taking on Avondale Rangers for a place at Dagenham. A hotly contest match ended at 1-1 with Thomas Jackson-Lyall netting the Rangers goal to send the tie to a penalty shootout. The marathon shootout saw twelve kicks each but Avondale netted ten compare to Forest’ nine to book their place in the final. The performance proved a fitting tribute to the club’s founder, Tony Monk, who sadly passed away last week and I’m sure will be missed by all.

PREMIER DIVISION

In the day’s only Premier Division football action, there was a big result for Jolof Sports who took on local rivals, London Cranes, in East Ham. Jolof put in a sterling performance to run out 4-1 victors in a result which sees them up a number of places in the table to fifth. With three matches remaining of their season, Jolof can still get up as high as third in the standings which would represent a positive outcome after their mid-season drop in form.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, Melbourne Sports have moved up to second place in the table with just three matches remaining, seeing off the efforts of relegation-threatened Colebrook Royals Reserves in a 5-2 victory at the Grange. John Shubert scored twice with Russell Laird, Ryan Lincoln and Marcus Dadson also on target to counteract a Robbie Carter brace for the hosts.

If goals is your thing, you could have done far worse than be in Leyton at the weekend as Forest Green and Singh Sabha Barking concocted a twelve-goal thriller as the sides had to settle for a point apiece in a 6-6 draw. That result leaves Forest Green in the relegation zone but closes the gap to safety to just four points with Singh Sabha remaining fifth in the standings and still in with a chance of promotion.

DIVISION TWO

The Division Two action saw just a single match played as ACD United continued their sparkling form with a comprehensive home victory against Newham United Reserves. Michael Wade certainly knows where the goal is as he struck four times for the Fenton Cup Final bound side with Shaun Allen and Liam Porter netting to earn a 6-1 win on the day. The top two sides continue to power clear of the rest with Chingford Athletic and ACD United heading for a May showdown to decide the title.

DIVISION THREE

In Division Three, two of the sides set to meet in the cup semi-final had a dress rehearsal for that match in the league with Old Esthameians Reserves facing New Star Soccer. With Old E’s challenging for promotion at the top of the division, a shock 3-1 victory for New Star Soccer has put a huge dent in that challenge as Nathan Bailey, Alex Beveney and Aaron Walker all scored for New Star to set up the semi-final quite nicely.

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