WEEK 4 REVIEW: Round-up of Saturday's football action from the EAL

SENIOR DIVISION

There is another new leader at the top of the Senior Division this week with FC Baresi the latest custodians of that position following their third win in four on Saturday, beating London Cranes by the odd goal at West Ham Memorial Park. Ali Shikheey got that only goal of the game as Baresi were 1-0 victors.

Three sides sit just behind the leaders with a perfect record with DTFC winners once again this weekend following victory at the Harlow Arena against Chigwell Town. A goal apiece from Chris Smith, Billy Golledge and Kieran Hipgrave were enough to see their side over the line to a 3-1 win.

West Essex Reserves are hot on the trail too and they made it three wins from three on Saturday with a comfortable looking 4-1 away win at Tower United. Abdi Abdikarim scored for the hosts but a brace for West from Mason Iley added to further goals from Adam Norris and Hassan Sufi to give their side the points.

Another side with a 100% start to their season are Jolof Sports who made it a pair of narrow 1-0 wins on their return to the league. Blue Marlin were the side to suffer said reverse as Moustpha Kane’s strike proved the only goal of a close game down in Newbury Park, that result moving Jolof up to sixth in the standings.

Lymore Gardens’ good start to the season continued on Saturday as they moved to fifth place on the back of a 2-1 away win against Rapid Chingford at Salisbury Hall. Andrei Boga’s goal had given Rapid the lead but a pair of goals from Marcel Destouche and Ashley Godwin paved the way for a Garden win.

After an indifferent start, CSM London have climbed into mid-table as they secured a second league win of the season, defeating a presently winless All Prospects side 4-1 at Fairlop Oak. Keifer Cole’s hat-trick proved the main difference between the sides with Ramone Senior’s strike rounding off the win in some style.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, Leyton Royal took full advantage of the leaders being out of action to move level on points at the top of the table as they made it three wins from three with a hard fought 1-0 victory away at Eastside. Alin Cosma was the man on target with their solitary effort to give his side maximum points so far.

Wapping have moved up to fourth as they picked up a second league win of the season, taking home all three points from their trip to Frenford A. The visitors scored both of the goals in the game, running out 2-0 winners to help move their side up the table following an indifferent start.

Sitting fifth are Chadwell Heath Spartans who added a win to their opening draw to keep themselves unbeaten in their maiden campaign at this level. They brought London Park City’s perfect start to an end, winning 4-2 at Mayfield through a Janel Alexander double and single efforts from Rashid Matabaro and Courtney Holness.

Kit Out London started their maiden league campaign in positive fashion with an opening victory in their first fixture, returning home with all three points from their trip to face Kwanzas London Sport in Walthamstow. Amalraj Kakamanu scored twice and Olajide Akala once to edge their side to a 3-2 win.

It was also a memorable afternoon for North East Lions who tasted victory at the fourth attempt on Saturday after beating seventh placed Francis Luke 2-0 at the Marshes. That win gave them a first victory in Saturday football and helped them move to within goal difference of their opponents.

DIVISION TWO

There were plenty of goals in Division Two where Belfry continued their early form with another win, this time beating Unitey 3-0 at Roding Valley High School. A brace from Sam Paterson led the way with Jamie Redington scoring the other to make it a maximum points start for the new side.

Just behind the pacesetters on goal difference, Cowley Community’s solid start sees no end as they added another victory to their start, beating Newham Wanderers in a local derby match. Chris Wright was in some form, scoring all four of their goals in a 4-0 victory to keep his side well involved at the top end of the table.

Another side who have made a great start are Dagenham United who also made it three wins in four at the start of the new campaign as they returned home with all three points from their trip to Old Esthameians. Neil Robinson found the back of the net for Old E’s but United scored five in reply to make it a 5-1 winning scoreline in their favour.

Forest Green will be very pleased with their efforts in September having won all of their fixtures in the month to sit fourth in the placings going into October. They came through a real seven goal humdinger over the weekend, edging past Chingford Athletic A in a 4-3 scoreline to end the day as the happier of the two outfits.

The final game in the third tier came from Rainham Working Mens Club where the hosts were up against St Francis in this key battle between two sides having made indifferent starts so far. Joshua Shakes threw two goals into the Rainham mix but Saints stirred things up by scoring twice themselves to make it a 2-2 draw and sharing the spoils.

DIVISION THREE

The Division Three leaders after the first month are Melbourne Sports who lead the way on goal difference having won both of their fixtures, their latest victims being Lymore Gardens Reserves. The Mels returned from Chingford with maximum points as they earned a 4-1 away victory to start the season in great style.

Moving up to third place are Bailey Football Academy who picked up their maiden league victory following a big 4-1 away win against Fairlop Rovers in Barkingside. Ross Basunda scored twice with Berdan Yelken and debutant Luke Deslandes goals helping their side to a memorably first win.

Completing the day’s action at this level, it was a case of de ja vu for Glendale as the Dales had to settle for a share of the points in a 2-2 draw against Epping United at Fairlop Oak. Valter Correia levelled up after an early Epping opener but the visitors got ahead once again which needed Mouhamed Gueye’s strike late on for the Dales to level things up.

DIVISION FOUR

It’s been a good start for Custom House United in Division Four as they made it two wins and a draw from their opening games with a 6-1 home win on Saturday against Dagenham United Reserves. Tim Mason scored four for the Dockers with Charlie Clarke and Kelvin Bartlett efforts finishing things off for the league leaders.

Royal Forest Reserves dropped their first points of the season but remain level with the leaders at the top following a 1-1 draw at Fairlop Oak against Newham Royals. Will Asenso scored for Forest but Royals were able to level up to maintain unbeaten starts for both of the sides thus far.

It was a memorable Saturday afternoon for Collier Row A who secured their first competitive win following a 4-3 home victory against Avondale Rangers. Jake Clarke scored twice for Rangers but his efforts were in vain as Row picked up the points to move off of the bottom of the table.

Brentwood United Reserves also secured a first victory of the campaign as they returned home with all three points from their fixture against Chingford Harriers at Westlands. That win moved them up to eighth place in the table, just a point off of the sides placed in mid-table in a congested table so far.

Completing the days action, a six-goal thriller rounds things off in Division Four as Emerson United Reserves entertained Together United at Hall Lane. In a close game, the teams drew 3-3, sharing all six goals and consequently the points too as Ross Braybrooke, Jamie Fox and Sonny Scott helped Emerson move up to fourth in the standings, United just a single goal behind them.