WEEK 6 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and cup action from the weekend

FENTON CUP

The first Fenton Cup action for many months was witnessed over the weekend as the competition returned with a first round tie between DTFC and Dagenham United. A five goal thriller ensued with the higher ranked DTFC eventually coming through in a 3-2 scoreline. Charlie Fiander and Iaia Jau both netted for United but DT goals from Mickey Mesmin, Jake Kissiedu and Lewis Page saw their side safely through to round two.

SENIOR DIVISION

A six point gap has been opened at the top of the Senior Division standings as Chadwell Heath Spartans took advantage of results around them to increase the gap on the back of a hard fought 3-2 victory away at Kit Out London, ending the latter’s unbeaten start. Marlon Ortiz scored twice for Kit Out but two Jeffrey Nketia strikes and a Michael Ramsay effort were enough for a Spartan victory.

FC Petrocub picked up a vital first win of the season on Saturday as they travelled to Lakeside to take on a previously unbeaten Woodford East side. Lucio Uare scored for the Peacocks but his efforts were in vain as Petrocub put in their best show of the season to win the game 3-1, moving them away from the relegation zone.

That result enabled Lymore Gardens to apply pressure to the sides at the top end of the table and they moved level with second place on goal difference as they took all three points home with them following a 4-1 victory in Hainault against winless Chigwell Town. Andre Rashford scored twice with Dylan Roberts and Ryo Brown netting the others to render John Lye’s effort for Town as just consolation.

A second win of the season was secured by FC Baresi as their first game in Walthamstow saw them produce a 4-2 winning performance against visitors Tower United at the Britannia. Bashir Ali and Abubakar Maxamed netted for United with Paul Benfield scoring twice in reply, along with efforts from Zuhayr Amjad and Tyreece Robertson.

There was a big derby match in Hainault as two close rivals, Leyton Royal and Rapid Chingford, faced off at Fairlop Oak with both sides eager to win. Rapid went into the game trailing their opposition by five points but that was cut to just two as they earned a first win of the season. Bogdan Toana scored a brace for Royal but that proved not quite enough as Rapid strikes from Catalin Anghel, Federico Ardei and Ionut Labunt won it 3-2.

Over in East Ham, two of the sides struggling at the wrong end of the table met as CSM London played host to Blue Marlin, both sides seeking to move clear of any relegations worries. By the end of the game, Blue Marlin were able to move level with their opponents, running out 3-1 victors despite a Leon Barnard goal from the hosts. Jorginho Gomez scored twice and Abu Khan once to hand Marlin victory.

PREMIER DIVISION

The excellent start to the season from Frenford A sees no end and they have also now opened up a big five lead at the top of the Premier Division standings, ending Marcelona’s unbeaten start to the season. Joel Opara came off the bench to score twice with Keenan Gravillis, Murilo Pereira, Isima Iguisi and Adam Andrade efforts carrying them to a comprehensive 6-0 win.

That result allowed North East Lions to move back into the top two places as they were victorious at home on Saturday as they took on Eastside in Walthamstow. Rweal Azizur, Romelle Pile and Liam Lezama-Johnson all found the back of the net for Lions to hand their side a second win of the campaign in a 3-1 scoreline,

DIVISION ONE

It’s been a great start for Cowley Community so far and they made it three from three in the league on Saturday, coming away with all three points from Belhus Park as they sent hosts RCXI to a first defeat, going down 3-1. Josh Coulson was on target once again with Jake Nelson and Chris Wright goals carrying them over the line, despite a Harold Ofori goal.

In a familiar looking top end of a league table, Belfry are also once again up there and challenging, enhancing their credentials with a tough trip to Something From Nothing at the weekend at Wanstead Flats. Belfry were 1-0 winners on the day, coming through a close game to earn maximum points and move second.

DIVISION TWO

Things couldn’t be much tighter at the top of Division Two where three sides sit level on nine points, Old Esthameians joining the party with a big 7-1 win on Saturday as they entertained Ryan Under 23s in Newbury Park. That saw them jump up to within two goals of Rainham Working Mens Club who presently lead the way.

Sitting just one goal further back, Fairlop Rovers put themselves into a strong position with a third win of the season after their went away the happier of the sides in their home clash against Unitey on Saturday. Eddy Litambolo netted the Unitey goal but his efforts proved not quite enough as Rovers edged the game by the odd goal in a 2-1 win.

It was a good afternoon’s work for Royal Forest too who completed a comprehensive victory with 5-0 victory away at Newbury East at Oaks Park School. Tom Osmond scored twice with Joe Owers and Anthony Carrig netting the others to help their side to a second league win of the campaign, moving them fifth in the standings.

DIVISION THREE

There are four teams sharing the lead of Division Three with Royal Forest Reserves joining that group over the weekend as they earned a thumping 6-1 win in the Hainault derby against Glendale. Will Asenso was on fire with a hat-trick for his side, supplementing goals from Jamie Cooper, Sereign Lette-Jallow and Stephen Aduadjoe. Wesley Kangi netted the Dales’ consolation goal in reply.

Moving up to third and on six points from three games, Lymore Gardens Reserves extending a positive start to their season with a big 5-0 victory at home against ASA. Kevin Monteiro, Omani Green, Nick Kordize, Alex Chuck and Rob Small were more than sufficient to send the points home with the hosts.

Also sitting on six points, Buckhurst Way made it two wins from three this season, moving third in the table on the back of a back a hard fought 2-1 win at home against Harlow Inter at Bancroft Rugby Club. Tom Glattback and Liam Wallis both found the back of the net to sent Way home with the points.

DIVISION FOUR

Chingford Harriers are now the only unbeaten side in Division Four and they added a third win to their record this season, coming out on top of their clash against Dagenham United Reserves by the odd goal. Two goals from Jake Kemp proved just enough to overcome a George Martin strike for United as Harriers confirmed a 2-1 success.

There was a second win of the new season for West Essex Under 23s who moved up into fourth place in the standings as they ended Fairlop Rovers Reserves’ perfect start, beating the previous leaders 3-2. Deshaun Johnson, Daniel Mincer and Ciaran Sadler-Stephens were the difference in the end as each scored to give West the victory.

The final league game saw an important first win for another of the league’s new sides as Newham & Havering Borough broke their duck with a 5-3 win against Emerson & Upminster A. Tyler Huggett scored twice for Emerson and Garry Ashworth once but Borough scored five in reply to give them a boost ahead of their upcoming fixtures.

COUNTY CUP

In the Essex Junior Cup, there was a day of mixed successes for our clubs with Oakside having the best result of the day with a 4-0 win away at Olympian opposition, Collier Row Reserves. They now entertain Frenford A in the next round in a fortnight.

Crookz United also scored four as they defeated fellow EAL outfit, London Cranes, 4-1 in East Ham to book their own place in the second round. They will now be at home to Harold Wood Athletic A in the next round.

That tie was set up on the back of Harold Wood coming through a tough tie against Athletic Newham Under 23s as the sides finished level at 3-3 after extra time. In the resulting shootout, it was Wood who held their nerve to come through 5-4 winners.

There were sizeable defeats for two of our clubs as All Prospects fell to an 8-0 loss away at Old Barkabbeyans while London Park City shipped ten against Isthmian League opposition, Tilbury Under 23s the winners of that one.

In the Essex Junior Trophy, the goals were really flowing, with FHN Athletic scoring eight as they faced Melbourne Sports at Fairlop Oak. The Mels rallied in the second period after being 7-1 down but FHN progressed, winning 8-4 to book at tie against Cowley Community in a fortnight.

There was also a high-scoring win for Ilford Reserves who successfully avoid a potential banana skin with victory away at Collier Row A. The Foxes were 6-1 victors to go through to round two where they will now tackle Fairlop Rovers.

Another of the all-EAL ties saw Loughton Lions up against higher division opposition, facing Barkingside A in Debden. Side edged a close game by the odd goal, winning 3-2 to set up a tie at Francis Luke.

There were defeats for two of our clubs at Mid Essex League opposition as Flyers Under 23s went down 5-1 away at Harold Hill A while Flyers Under 21s also suffered a reverse, losing 8-0 at home against Emerson & Upminster.

The London Junior Cup first round action finishes off the weekly round-up with last season’s semi-finalists, Jolof Sports, earning themselves a place in round two with a hard fought 2-0 win away at Doverhouse Lions.

Also into the hat for round two are Together United who faced tough opposition in the form of south London based Wanderers. The sides finished level at 1-1 after ninety minutes with United holding things together in the shootout, winning that 5-4 to progress through.

The third success of the day saw league new boys, Wanstead, victorious in their first competitive cup fixture as they earned an entertaining 5-4 home win against Eltham Eagles at the Flats, confirming safe passage into round two in the process.

There were high-scoring defeats for FC Baresi Under 23s who ended their participation with an 8-4 loss away at London Hibernians while Wapping’s run in the competition came to a premature halt with a 5-2 defeat at home to Peckham Town A.

Photo Credit: Something From Nothing FC