WEEK 36 REVIEW: Round-up of all the EAL league action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

The top flight action continued in midweek where Fairlop Rovers faced Frenford Development in a huge game at the bottom. Freddie Bose and Richard Arhin goals proved decisive for Rovers with Kishawn James striking for Frenford in consolation, Rovers leaving 2-1 winners.

On Saturday afternoon, the battle for runners-up saw FC Petrocub London come from behind against Waltham Forest Borough to take a vital 3-2 win to keep their hopes alive. Mustafa Hussein and Dylan Florence goals were overcome by Gritcan Dumitru, Gheorghe Cucos and Igor Boiciuc efforts.

Attentions were then on matters at the other end of the standings where a vital game saw Fairlop Rovers move to within one point of safety after a 2-1 win against Woodford Town Under 23s through Benjamin Williams and Richard Arhin goals, a result which relegated both Town and Frenford in the process.

The penultimate matches for Ryan and Greengate District saw those two meet in a replay at Wadham Lodge where it was two goals from Ruben Silva and one from Leo Gaspar the difference in the match, enabling Greengate to wrap up a 3-0 success.

Two sides with cup finals on the horizon met at The Foundry with CSM London sharing the spoils with Chadwell Heath Spartans. Conrad Doggett struck for CSM with Courtney Holness and Jaiden Odle on the Spartans scoresheet.

PREMIER DIVISION CUP

It was semi-finals day in the Premier Division Cup with East division leaders, Old Barkabbeyans, keeping alive hopes of a double following a 5-0 win against Motormen. Michael Ryder scored a hat-trick, Yunus Mussa and Mohamed Hassan adding the others to book their place at Parkside in May.

Over in Barkingside, Bealonians had a tricky looking tie against West title chasers, Newham Wanderers. But the day belonged to Beals after a comprehensive 6-2 win through Rhys Clements’ hat-trick and further strikes from Daniel Mahoney, Dan King and Louie Morales.

PREMIER DIVISION EAST

The action continued in midweek with hosts Manford Way Reserves leaving with all three points from their narrow 2-1 win over Kit Out London. Charles Ariwa struck for the visitors but Manford goals from Brandon Martin and Shaidan Haye were enough for the points.

On Saturday, there was a big result affecting the bottom end of the table where Something From Nothing’s penultimate game ended in a vital 1-0 win to stave off the drop, beating Athletic Newham Under 23s to keep them in the fight.

Two sides locked quite safely in mid-table met at Parsloes Park where Romford Town Flyers earned themselves three points against Inter Newbury to keep their heads above water with Serigne Lahat, Leonardo Lopes and John Blewitt scoring.

PREMIER DIVISION WEST

There are some big matches coming up in the West division and Sporting Hackney kept alive their hopes of landing a promotion place finish as they recorded a 3-0 home win over West Essex Reserves, putting the Parrots level with second spot with that team being their next opponents.

DIVISION ONE CUP

The second finalist in the Division One Cup was confirmed on Saturday as Sich London and Parsonage Leys played out a seven goal thriller. But it was Jake Turner’s brace plus goals from Bert Greenwood and Dwayne Smith that were just enough in a 4-3 Parsonage success that sent them to Parkside, Serhii Hura netting two for Sich.

DIVISION ONE EAST

League leaders, Royal Forest, have moved to the cusp of another league title following the weekend’s results, securing themselves a 5-1 win over FC Alpha, a result which places them one point from mathematical certainty of silverware.

The only side left who can now catch the leaders are Old Parkonians A who moved closer to the promotion places with two games to go following a 5-1 win against Old Barkabbeyans Reserves. Charlie Fiander’s hat-trick, along with Ashley Collins and Shane Hovell goals, were more than enough to overcome Gabriel Ohuruogu’s strike for Barks.

That result became all the more important after second placed Loughton Town saw their challenge struck down by a 5-3 home defeat against Bealonians Reserves. Will Osmond scored two and Sidney Kaye one but Beals goals from Max Robson, Jazz Heath-Sawyers, Iddy Mendbayer, Aaron Porter and Ashley Webster won it for their side.

The other game from the division was a high scoring one as Chadwell Heath Spartans Reserves produced a 7-1 win over Romford Town Flyers Reserves. Owen Rami and Drey Johnson each scored two, Ibraheem Lawal, Bogdan Erdei and Usher Kasirye adding the others while Sonny Davie nipped in with the Flyers’ consolation.

DIVISION TWO

In Division Two, CSM London Under 23s moved into second place and just a point away from confirming the runners-up spot following their 3-0 home win over London Academics in Beckton, CSM’s twelfth win of the campaign.

With two games to go, Kulture Reserves could still nip in for a promotion place finish if results go their way and they maintained that possibility with a big 4-0 success over third placed Eastside Foundation with goals from Carlo Ruggiero, Alfred Sylmete, Sergio Mata and Moussa Traore.

DIVISION THREE CUP

It was semi-finals day in the Division Three Cup where the league leaders, Old Parkonians B saw their hopes of a domestic double reach an end, second placed Jays keeping their own alive with a 2-1 win in Barkingside to book a place at Parkside through Lekan Aina and Riley Sadek-Taghizadeh goals.

Joining them in the final in three weeks time will be in-form Buckhurst Way who hosted Upminster Albion in their tie at Bancroft Rugby Club. It was another four goal winning performance from the hosts, Buckhurst Way 4-1 winners and into the final.

COUNTY CUP

Wednesday evening saw the conclusion of the BBC Essex Premier Cup with Ocean Pacific taking on Wakering Sports in the final at New Lodge. An early Wakering goal was the only of a game dominated by Ocean who couldn’t quite convert their effort into goal scoring chances, Sports taking the trophy in a 1-0 result.

Photo Credit: Essex County FA