WEEK 4 REVIEW: Round-up of Saturday's league and cup football action

FENTON CUP

This season’s Fenton Cup competition got underway at the weekend and, as usual with these early rounds, there were a number of shocks and near-misses. The biggest shock of the day came at Cowley Community where the Division Two side fell to a 5-0 home defeat against Division Three’s Newham Wanderers. Bradley Harris scored two with Robertson Morais, Lukas Ziausys and Oli Ahmed goals securing their side a place in the second round.

It was also a good day for Division Four’s Woodford East who caused a shock of their own when they played host to local rivals, Avondale Rangers from Division Three, in their tie in Debden. East goals from Matthew Stacey, Kai Law, Frank Glock, Frankie Lane, William Letchford, Billy Barr and Jack Smith were more than enough to secure a 7-1 win for their team and a place in round two.

There was almost an almighty shock down in Rainham where Division Two’s Rainham Working Mens Club, having started strongly in the league faced Division Four’s Chingford Harriers. The game ended level at ninety minutes with Tyrell Phillips scoring the Workies’ only goal but Harriers also notched to send the game to a shootout which Rainham came through in a 6-5 scoreline.

Another game which went all the way was the tie in Walthamstow between Division Two’s Puma Kings and Division Three’s Glendale. In a game which swayed one way then the next, Jordan Mills-Smith netted twice and Harley Hicks once but Daniel Muamba drove in twice from distance for the Dales and a last gasp Asmund header made it 3-3 and took the game to spot kicks. Kings held their nerve to secure a spot in the second round.

Sungate Reserves made no mistake of their first round tie away at Brentwood United Reserves as they ran out 8-1 victors on the day, the majority of that damage done in the first half of the match. Thomas Drayton’s form in front of goal continued with a hat-trick adding to further goals from Ashley Rix, Ryan Bourne, Gabriel Ogunwomoju, Sam Cooper and Isaac Idu for Gate.

Also putting eight goals past their opponents were Ilford Development who, having started well in the league, continued that form into the cup competitions with this 8-0 victory away at Together United. Ilford now move on to face further Division Four opposition in the next round with a tie against Dagenham United Reserves.

There was a first win of the season on Saturday for Custom House United who faced a tough looking trip to one of the league leaders, facing up to Flyers Development in their clash in Romford. Glenn Levy, so often the hero for the Dockers, netted both of the goals to earn a 2-0 win and secure a second round clash against another of Flyers’ teams.

Completing the day’s Fenton Cup opening round action was a local derby fixture as St Francis played host to Lymore Gardens Reserves at Wanstead Flats. In a game consisting of six goals, it was the Saints who will have ended the day as the happier of the sides, earning a 4-2 victory to overcome Lymore goals from Emmanuel Adebowale and Eugene Goumou.

SENIOR DIVISION

The gap at the top of the Senior Division has been cut this week as FC Baresi moved third, just a point off the pace, with an exciting 4-3 win away at London Cranes. Mathius Sendawula continued his scoring streak for Cranes with a brace, Kenneth Kaziba netting the other. But Baresi showed their title credentials with Tyler Kirby scoring twice and one each from Esat Saiti and Carl Diable confirming the win on the day.

Just one place further back on goal difference are fellow promotees, Chigwell, who also had a tough looking away clash against the present leaders, CSM London. Two goals from Mark Howe proved to be the difference, overcoming a Keifer Cole effort from the hosts, to help his Chigwell side to a 2-1 victory and making the top of the table very congested so far.

DIVISION ONE

It’s all going quite swimmingly so far for Tower United who made it three wins from three games on Saturday with a home clash against Jolof Sports Under 21s in an east London derby match. Sayid Abdi, Liban Mohamoud, Abubakar Maxamed and Abdisemed Giama were all on the scoresheet to win the contest 4-0.

Moving up to second place are Eastside who made it two wins from their opening three fixtures with a 4-2 away win at Chingford United over the weekend. Idris Shittu scored twice for Side with Joseph Andrews and Michael Dager goals seeing their side to win and a three point haul.

Another side who have two wins from their opening three games are All Real, their latest win being a narrow 2-1 home win against Tower Hamlet Reserves in Walthamstow. Carone Scott netted for Hamlet but Tristan Jones and Rio Modeste goals in reply saw Real earn the victory they wanted.

DIVISION TWO

Old Esthameians caused one of the bigger upsets of the day as they moved up to second in the Division Two standings, ending Unitey’s unbeaten start to their short history thus far in the process. Alex Booker scored twice and Danny Harris once for the E’s as they stunned the league leaders to win 3-1.

There was a first win of the new campaign for Royal Forest who made it a win and two draws from their opening four matches with a narrow 4-3 win away at Flyers. As days go, Thomas Osmond will remember his, netting all four of the Royal goals to see his side over the line to victory in the process.

There is just a point between the two remaining sides in action where Melbourne Sports took on Three Colts in a Hainault derby match at Fairlop Oak. Tom Jacob scored the Colts’ goal for the visitors as the two sides settled for a share of the spoils on the day, 1-1 the final scoreline to take a point apiece.

DIVISION THREE

No matches

DIVISION FOUR

Dagenham United Reserves remain the league leaders in Division Four although their lead at the top was cut on Saturday as they were held to a 2-2 draw away at Loughton Lions. Nana Agyekum and Craig Rivers both scored for United but the Lions scored twice themselves to earn a point each for the sides.

Closing that gap at the top to just a point, Fairlop Rovers’ fine start to the season continued with a second win in succession, this time taking on Newham Royals in Chadwell Heath, both sides sporting perfect starts. But Royals’ run was brought to a halt with Dylan Scutt, Ellis Simmonds and Joe Tinsley efforts earning a 3-0 win for Rovers.

ESSEX JUNIOR CUP

There was mixed results in this weekend’s Essex Junior Cup action where Rapid Chingford made it a pair of cup wins this season as they saw off fellow EAL side, West Essex Reserves. The match ended level at 2-2 after extra time meaning a shootout was needed where Rapid held their nerve to win it 4-2 and progress to round two.

The day’s other action involving our side saw Lymore Gardens take on Olympian League Collier Row in Chingford. Despite a reasonable start to their league campaign, Lymore saw their participation ended in this competition, going down to a 4-0 defeat to exit at the first hurdle.

ESSEX JUNIOR TROPHY

Upshire Forest will have been pleased with their day’s work in the Trophy competition where they had a trip around the M25 to face Mid Essex League side Haver Town Reserves in the opening round. Forest returned home with a 5-2 victory under their belts, earning themselves a place in the next round.

Continuing the theme of penalty shootouts on Saturday, the remaining action of the day saw an all-EAL Division One match-up in the Trophy where Forest Green travelled to Ilford to face London Park City. With the sides ending level at 3-3 after extra-time, Green won the shootout in a 5-4 scoreline to proceed on in the competition.

Photo credit: Lamo the Lion