WEEK 9 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and county cup action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

FC Baresi were the weekend’s biggest movers in the Senior Division as they took advantage of results around them to move sixth in the standings, earning a 4-2 away win at Blue Marlin in Hainault. Tyreece Robinson bagged two for the visitors with Abdisamad Mohamed and Raymond Pok goals completing the victory.

There were two close games in the other fixtures completed where Jolof Sports saw their perfect start come to an end with the points shared in their trip to Lymore Gardens, Jolof conceding their first goals of the season in the process. That 2-2 result saw Lymore move level with two other teams on fourteen points while Jolof sit a point further back in fifth position.

The Noak Hill derby match also saw a very closely fought contest as the two tenants of the ground, FC Petrocub and Kit Out London, faced off with both seeking to break into the top half of the table. The game ended in another score draw with the sides settling for a share of the spoils, finishing 2-2, to stay ninth and seventh respectively.

PREMIER DIVISION

The league leaders were back in action at the weekend and Frenford A extended their advantage at the top to six points on the back of a 2-0 win at home against North East Lions. Damilola Olaiya struck both of the goals for the hosts which saw them record a fifth league win in six, keeping them as the favourites for the title at present.

It was a good afternoon for Dagenham United who took advantage of results around them to move second on goal difference though they did have a real battle on their hands facing fellow promotion chasing Wapping. Debutant Jordan Mills-Smith struck twice for Wapping but his efforts were in vain as Lewis Bennett, Shaquille Mathurin and Iaia Jau all netted to edge it 3-2 in favour of United.

Oakside remain unbeaten following their second league fixture of the season on Saturday as they completed a solid victory at home against London Park City in Hainault. They added a 3-1 win to their opening draw to take a place in the top half of the table while City remain eleventh and without a point so far.

There was a local derby game in East Ham over the weekend where London Cranes took on Athletic Newham Under 23s at Flanders. And it was London Cranes who turned the tables on it head, ending Newham’s unbeaten start as they completed a 5-1 win to open their points account. Bruno Mwasnje was the hero with a hat-trick while Dennis Mahadha and Mathius Sendawula also struck the net.

DIVISION ONE

The top game of the day in Division One came from Dagenham where the division’s top two faced off with Cowley Community the visitors to take on Belfry, renewing old acquaintances. Kieron James was the difference between the two sides, netting both goals for the hosts to take their perfect start to four games in a 2-1 scoreline. Chris Wright grabbed the Cowley consolation effort.

Wanstead’s recent run of form has not gone unnoticed and they made the most of sides around them dropping points on Saturday with to move fifth as they ran out winners by the odd goal in seven, beating Ilford Reserves 4-3. Edson Lami scored a hat-trick with Zoltan Balogh also netting to render Foxes efforts from Jack Newbury-Neale, Mario Lipetz and Rhys Clements as consolation.

Barkingside A’s league form so far this term has brought them two wins from two and they are up to sixth, coming out on the right side of a ten goal thriller at Nutter Lane, defeating Kwanzas London Sport 6-4. That result keeps ‘Side in touch with the sides above them with games in hand while Kwanzas stay rooted to the bottom from their three games.

With games in hand, Newham Wanderers are another side who will another with a big say in the promotion race this season and they moved to six points from three games following a 5-3 home win against Forest Green at the Flats. Robertson Morais is a man who knows where the goal is and he scored twice with Amir Gurki, Miranda Silva and Otto Bolton finishing things off.

It’s been a good couple of weeks for Francis Luke who have picked up a couple of handy wins now across league and cup competitions, their latest at the weekend earning them a first league victory, beating a high-flying Renegade side in the Hackney derby. Jose da Silva scored twice and Abser Abdul once to give the visitors a 3-1 win.

Completing the action in the third tier, Something From Nothing made the journey to Aveley to take on RCXI seeking to improve on their league form so far this season, the teams starting five points apart in tenth and fourth respectively. And that gap remained by full time as the teams finished level at 1-1, securing a point apiece.

DIVISION TWO

It’s as you were at the top of Division Two where Fairlop Rovers have continued their title tilt with a fifth win from five in the league, returning home from Walthamstow with all three points in a 4-1 scoreline against Ryan Under 23s. Dylan Scutt scored twice with Toby Stephens and Harry Oliver efforts extending their great start.

The leaders are closely trailed by Rainham Working Mens Club who themselves have made a terrific start in the division, winning all four of their games to date. Unitey were the visitors on Saturday and saw Mohammed Abaker net for them but two Sean Tormey goals for the Workies did the damage to edge a close game 2-1.

With the sides above them dropping points, mid-table FHN Athletic and Redbridge Community both had the chance to cut the gap and that was exactly what they both did though had to settle for a point each in a 2-2 draw. Amos Agyei and Kieran McKoy both scored for unbeaten FHN while Akiljo Balliu and Samuel Oramadike struck in reply for Redbridge to level it.

Emerson and Upminster Reserves made ground on a number of sides above with the only win amongst the sides placed third to seventh and it was a terrific result to boot as they ended Old Esthameians unbeaten start with a 6-3 victory. Braces from Tobi Onafeko and Dan Lane plus singles from Harry Wilkins and Reece Martin did the damage to make it two wins from three.

There was a crucial clash at the bottom end of the table also where Loughton Lions and Newbury East were up against each other in Debden seeking their first points of the season. Both will be relatively satisfied to have fixed that by full time after an incredible game ended in a 4-4 draw. Sehraan Hussain scored twice with Bhajandip Purewal and Connor Goom also striking for East.

DIVISION THREE

Two sides sit locked on twelve points at the top of Division Three where Royal Forest Reserves presently lead the way on goal difference after confirming a fourth league win on Saturday, beating Flyers Under 23s 3-0 over in Romford. Jamie Cooper, Will Casasola and Will Asenso all found the back of the net to hand their side another win.

The side keeping close track on the leaders are Buckhurst Way who also sit on twelve points though from a couple of games more than Forest. Way were 2-0 winners on Saturday are putting in a good performance at home against Lymore Gardens Reserves, that being their fourth league win in six this season while Lymore drop a place to fourth.

FC Baresi Under 23s took advantage of that result also as they moved up to third in place of Lymore, coming through a closely fought game against an improving Terin. Leo Siki scored twice for Baresi with Zack Aliane also netting to render Terin goals form Ahmed Abdulrahman and Ali Swamad as just consolation on the day in a 3-2 scoreline.

Moving up into the top half of the table, Harlow Inter have joined a group of clubs all on six points as they entertained Glendale at Chigwell School over the weekend in an entertaining fixture for the neutral. Glendale lead early through Sam Izaini but Inter led themselves by the break. Was Lawal scored to level it again for the Dales but two further Inter goals won it 4-2 in their favour.

Together United are up to seventh now in the table with two wins on the bounce as they joined the six point club with a six goal performance on the road away at ASA in Hackney. Jubayed Miah struck twice for the hosts and Atif Haider once but United got it Together in the end with six goals of their own to take a 6-3 win.

DIVISION FOUR

Things are incredibly tight still at the top of Division Four where Chingford Harriers continue to lead the way after scooping an impressive fifth win with a local derby victory away to West Essex Under 23s. Goals from Darlington Ojo and substitute Cedric Onchuru were enough to earn a 2-1 win in the E4 derby and stay clear at the top on goal difference.

Second placed Fairlop Rovers Reserves are certainly doing their bit to make this an enthralling title race and will hope to be in the mix in a few months time still. Their hopes were further improved with an away victory of their own, defeating Dagenham United Reserves 4-1 at Castle Green despite an Amran El-Kaouny goal for the hosts.

There was a terrific win for Emerson & Upminster A on Saturday as they replicated the reserve team performance in taking a 6-3 win of their own as they entertained Collier Row A at Hall Lane with both sides having started well. Emerson goals however from Bradlee Birch (2), Ryan Whitton, Ryan Cook, Ronnie Bryan and Elliot Kaye were too much in the end as their side won the contest.

Avondale Rangers will be pleased with their efforts also over the weekend as they moved to the cusp of the top half with a win by the odd goal as they edged past Flyers Under 21s. Debut goals from Dylan Fagan, Liam Cole and Johnson Santos were supplemented by a Phillip Heinen goal to win the game 4-3.

The final league game of the day saw Sporting Pillars make their competitive debut as they entertained Newham Royals over in Leyton seeking to make a positive start. And that was what they did as two goals apiece from Rayan Allam and Ousmany Dibaga earned a 5-0 win and a first ever win for the club.

COUNTY CUP

In the BBC Essex Premier Cup, it was a great afternoon for Woodford East who made the trip down the A127 on Saturday to take on White Ensign Reserves and returned home to east London with a 2-1 win under their belts. They will now face May & Baker A in the next round in November.

There was a terrific contest in Chigwell where Chadwell Heath Spartans were up against a highly rated Leigh Town side with the sides finishing 3-3 by the end of extra time. Town held their nerve in the shootout, winning it 4-2 to secure their passage into round three.

Leyton Royal’s run in the competition came to an end as they made the trek up the A12 to face another Essex & Suffolk Border League side with Tiptree Heath the hosts. Heath ran out comfortable 5-1 winners to end Royal’s cup hopes in this competition.

There were also some away day blues for CSM London who also ventured east to take on Olympian League side Rayleigh Town Reserves. A 4-1 winning performance from Town was more than enough on the day to end CSM’s participation for another year.

Photo Credit: Chadwell Heath Spartans FC