WEEK 33 REVIEW: Grove shock Melbourne; Chingford Athletic book place in final
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As we entered the final Saturday of April, and with the fixture list slowly winding down, there was still plenty of action across the cup and league fixtures to keep us occupied.
In the Fenton Cup semi final, Chingford Town hosted local rivals, Chingford Athletic, with both sides eyeing up a place in the final on 14th May at Dagenham & Redbridge FC. Rarely are the stakes any higher in a single match and the sides ended normal time level at 2-2 to send the tie into extra time. The flood gates opened in that extra period as Athletic netted a further seven times to win 9-3 and book their place in the final. Michael Mignot once again led the way netting a hat-trick to go with a Tom Pearce double and other strikes from Lee Bowers, Tobias Hayden, David Livie and Lee Doyle.
Grove United and Melbourne Sports met in another Fenton Cup tie to take place, a quarter final, with the winners earning the right to face Cranes United in the semi-final next weekend. Division Two champions Grove United showed why they are proving too hot to handle for many sides this season as they took the lead through Jamie Pooley’s long range effort only to then see Luke Norman slam home to level for the Premier Division side, Melbourne Sports, before the break. Ultimately however it was Division Two side, Grove, who confirmed the cup giant killing as Jamie Pooley netted again for his brace to send them into the semi-final and keep alive hopes of an amazing treble.
Back in league action, congratulations this week go to Northend who have secured the runners-up position in Division One following a 3-1 win against Glendale. Trailing 1-0 at half-time to a Ricky Mentesh strike for Glendale, goals from Ross Williams, Max Skimmings and Timi Olaniyan secured the vital win. Congratulations to Northend for your efforts this season.
In the Premier Division, Cranes United moved up to fifth in the table with a 3-0 win at home to Rainham Working Mens Club who they could yet face again if they make the Premier Division Cup final. The remaining fixture saw Jolof Sports Club return to third in the table after a 3-1 win at St Francis.
This week, there are 2 midweek league matches taking place as Chingford Town host St Francis on Tuesday night followed on Wednesday night by Glendale taking on St Johns Deaf.
Then at the weekend, the pick of the fixtures is a probable league title decider in the Premier Division as May & Baker EC A and Chingford Athletic meet. A win for May & Baker will see them secure the title but anything less will leave an anxious wait to see if Athletic can win their remaining matches.
In the Fenton Cup semi-final, Cranes United host Grove United with both sides eyeing up a cup final slot against Chingford Athletic. And finally, next Sunday, the boys at St Johns Deaf will be flying north of the border to take on Glasgow Athletic Deaf in the British Deaf Football National Cup Final.
It’s certainly an action-packed week of football and we wish all of the sides in action the best of luck.