WEEK 34 REVIEW: Chingford Ath win top of table clash; Cranes United make Fenton Cup final

The focus of attention this weekend was on a crucial Premier Division clash where rivals Chingford Athletic and May & Baker EC A came together for a critical match. A win for May & Baker would have sealed the title with anything less meaning an anxious wait to see whether Chingford could make their games in hand tell. In front of a terrific crowd watching on, Chingford weathered an early onslaught from Baker to take a 1-0 lead as Michael Mignot fired them ahead. Visiting stopper, Jack Francis, was in inspired form as Baker looked the more likely side to net.  After the break, Baker got a deserved equaliser with around 25 minutes to go but Lee Doyle stole the show scoring the winner for Chingford Athletic. That win leaves Chingford needing seven points from three games to guarantee the title for them.

In the Fenton Cup semi final, Premier Division side Cranes United were hosting Division Two champions, Grove United, with the latter seeking to inflict another cup shock and maintain their chances of a treble. However it wasn’t to be as Cranes United came through the match winning 2-0 as top scorer, Senkatuka Nelson, and David Wampamba netted to lead their side to the final on Thursday 14th May at Dagenham & Redbridge FC where they will meet Chingford Athletic.

Rounding up the Premier Division action, a pair from John Schubert and a single from Ryan Lincoln led Melbourne Sports to a 3-0 win over St Francis to maintain their chances of a third placed finish. The side already in third place, Jolof Sports Club, travelled to Newham Res and came away with a 4-2 win, a match which also completed a solid season by Newham. In a double header, Eastside Rangers assured themselves of top fight survival winning both games 1-0 against out of form Chingford Town, moving up to ninth position in the table.

We must also offer our congratulations to St Johns Deaf who travelled north of the border to face Glasgow Deaf Athletic in the British Deaf Cup Final seeking an 8th title. The match couldn’t have panned out any better as St Johns recorded a 4-0 win courtesy of goals from Huseyin Er, Oliver Manoochehri, Marios Costi and Davod Jarchlou. Well done to everybody at St Johns Deaf.

This week, sees the plenty of cup final action as the Division One Cup reaches it’s climax on Wednesday night with St Johns Deaf meeting Vittoriosa Falcons. Then on Friday night, Grove United go for the double as they take on Cowley Community in the Division Two Cup final. Both matches will be taking place at Dagenham & Redbridge FC with 7pm kick offs. We hope that many of you will be able to attend and support the league and teams involved.