WEEK 31 REVIEW: Round-up of all the EAL league action from the weekend

FENTON TROPHY

The line-up for the this season’s Fenton Trophy was confirmed on Saturday with two debutants making the stage, Get Rich Together pulling off a big 7-0 cupset to defeat Royal Forest 7-0 at Lakeside with Ibrahim Timbo, Mohammed Malik and Oluwatomiwa Roberts scoring twice each, Gunay Ahmet the other.

In the other half of the draw, holders Chadwell Heath Spartans Reserves took on FC Alpha at Noak Hill in defence of their trophy but it was the hosts who earned their first final appearance in a 3-1 win. Liviu Nistreanu, Denis Musteata and Serghei Scupoi goals were enough, Owen Rami striking for Spartans in reply.

SENIOR DIVISION

The Senior action started in midweek where Fairlop Rovers’ busy run-in put them up against Saint City at Parsloes where a couple of Rodney Capemba goals helped City take a 3-2 win, despite Rovers goals from Stefanos Ladoukakis and Jack Kibblewhite.

Saint City were back at Parsloes on Friday night where they were up against Waltham Forest Borough this time around but the scoreline remained the same with City triumphing 3-2 with Zakaria Saidi, Richard Boah and Richard Seixas goals edging the contest. Lionel Stone and Aaron Blake struck for Borough in reply.

Up at Wodson Park, Chadwell Heath Spartans made the trip up to take on Ongar Town under the lights where it was three goals from the visitors proving the difference in a 3-0 win. Brandon Johnson, Mitchell Smith and Joshua George were all on the Spartans scoresheet.

That result meant that London Harts United moved to the brink of the league title though they couldn’t fully convert their advantage, held to a 2-2 away draw at Ryan on Saturday afternoon though Harts now sit one victory away from the silverware.

Second placed FC Petrocub London kept their hat in the ring for runners-up with a big 5-0 away win at Parsloes Park as they defeated Sporting Bengal United Reserves. Ion Spinu struck two goals off the bench, Grigorii Ungurianu, Ghenadie Moisei and Vasile Neagu adding the others.

Fairlop Rovers played host to Dagenham United knowing the value of three points to both sides but it was Rovers leaving the happier, 4-1 winners with goals from Sonny Clarke, Freddie Bose, Harry Rouse and Benjamin Williams. Renato Molaudzi scored for Dagenham but that result means a bottom four place was confirmed.

It was a seven-goal thriller at Wadham Lodge where Kulture were facing Frenford Development in another key game towards the bottom. A Landry Gogoa hat-trick and Imanol Beta goal were just enough for Kulture in a 4-3 win, Beau Samuels netting two for Frenford in vain.

PREMIER DIVISION EAST

There were some big games affecting the top in Premier East where Old Barkabbeyans stay top after a narrow 3-2 away win over Athletic Newham Under 23s. Lucas Jimack scored two and Rasheed Heikal one in the win.

AS Rapid Londra remain amongst the promotion places but with games running out, edging a 5-4 thriller at home to Bakers693. Costel Nitescu, Robert Popescu, Wangel Nvima, Paul Turcu and Federico Ardei goals were just enough, Joe Gray’s brace, Robbie Farrell and Jacob Field efforts in vain for Bakers.

Bealonians have plenty of games left to affect things above them but did see points dropped on the road on Saturday with a 3-2 defeat against Inter Newbury who move level with them. Joseph Jones and Andrew Dukes goals were overcome by Jordan Gallagher, Tyrell Spencer and Dawid Potoczek efforts.

Fifth placed Kit Out London continue to keep themselves there or thereabouts after a 2-1 home win against Manford Way Reserves in which Simeon Beckford and Ismail Mohamud goals helped them over the line to a ninth league win.

Motormen have moved further clear of any danger of relegation following the weekend’s results, netting themselves a 5-1 win against fellow strugglers, Buckhurst Hill Under 23s. Justin Umeh’s brace plus goals from Kasai Ilunga and Tyler Forbes proved too much, Max Handley scoring for Hill.

At Fairlop Oak, it was a crucial win for Romford Town Flyers over Something From Nothing, the former consolidating a mid-table position in a 3-0 win with Joseph Mba scoring two and George Threadwell once, a result which leaves SFN four points adrift with seven games to go.

PREMIER DIVISION WEST

Things have become incredibly tight in the race for the title in Premier West as leaders, Vallance, saw their lead cut following a 3-0 away defeat to Essex cup finalists, Ocean Pacific. Gabriel Merlo, Florin Ivancia and Darwin Orozco goals continued the home sides winning momentum.

The two chasing sides met on Saturday where neither Newham Wanderers nor Unitey could be separated in an eventual 2-2 draw between the sides. Robertson Morais and Henrique Mendes levelled it for Wanderers after Devontae Young and Ahmed Dousa had put Unitey ahead.

An east London derby saw West Essex Reserves continue a good spell of form as they made the short trip to Walthamstow to take on Priory Park Rangers where Paul Schouwenburg and Daniel James braces, plus Harry Marcus and Matthew Hardy efforts gave West a 6-2 win.

At Flanders, bottom of the table London Cranes were at home with the visit of Old Esthameians with the sides starting the day just a point apart. But E’s moved four clear of their opponents in a 2-1 victory, despite Mujeeb Kaddu’s goal.

The remaining game from the division came from Aylward Academy where FC Baresi Reserves had home advantage in the visit of Sporting Hackney. The Parrots scored three without reply, continuing their excellent defensive record, 3-0 the winning scoreline.

DIVISION ONE CUP

The remaining second round action from the Division One Cup saw a cupset as Sidney Kaye’s goal for Loughton Town proved not enough, Sich London through to the quarter-finals after Serhii Hura, Mykola Krasnoslobodtsev and Vladyslav Kyrychenko goals helped them win the tie 3-1.

DIVISION ONE EAST

There were two tight affairs in Division One East, beginning as Dagenham United Reserves earned themselves three massive points to move out of the relegation zone from their final game, beating Romford Town Flyers Reserves 2-1 with Osei Forkuo and Tajay Smith goals winning it, Jack Walsh netting for Flyers.

That result meant that Old Barkabbeyans Reserves moved into the bottom two, despite earning a valuable point in an entertaining 4-4 home draw with Lymore Gardens Reserves. Jada Andrews scored two, Nathaniel Cameron and Gabriel Ohuruogu the others, Callum Fisher netting two, Claudio Siciliani and Rayshun Codner responding for Lymore.

DIVISION ONE WEST

There was a huge game affecting the top end of the table in Division One West where goals from Gary Tighe and Toby Bloomfield saw Hackney Wanderers share the points in a 2-2 draw with Parsonage Leys, Costa Azzopardi scoring twice for them.

DIVISION TWO

It was a profitable afternoon for Iona Wheels in Division Two as they earnt all three points in a 3-1 win home win against London Academics, helped by goals from Josh Duah and Luke Fearne, a result which saw them move seven points clear at the summit.

Their position was strengthened after closest challengers, Eastside Foundation, dropped vital points in a 2-0 home defeat against London East. Joshua Ayeni and Mackell Gannes were the London scorers to net themselves the win.

It was a nine goal thriller at the County Ground where Lymore Gardens Under 23s were beaten by the odd goal, Thurrock Thameside winning 5-4 despite Gardens goals from Fabian Calin (2), Tafari Miller and Dolapo Owolabi.

At Fairlop Oak, it was another meeting of Glendale and Chingford Harriers where, this time, it was the hosts leaving with the three points as Emmanuel Ejembi, Maryis Shamku and Braulio Costa goals gave Glendale a 3-1 win, Stephen Duberry’s effort account for the Harriers’ consolation.  

DIVISION THREE

In Division Three, Jays moved to within three points of the leaders after confirming a seventh win of the season, beating Upminster Albion by the odd goal, 3-2 the final scoreline, with George Cornwell scoring both for Albion.