WEEK 15 REVIEW: Round-up of all the Corinthian League action from the weekend

FA SUNDAY CUP

It was third round day in the national cup this weekend and down in Basildon, Baiteze Squad were up against it with a visit to an unbeaten Fryerns side and despite a goalless first half, Baiteze twice led in the second period but pegged back on both occasions to 2-2 meaning a shootout was needed. It was eventually won by Baiteze to head into the last sixteen.

Over in Dagenham, it was also third round action for the first time for Brook Athletic who were up against one of Kent's finest with the visit of Market Hotel to Parsloes Park. Brook led in the game but the visitors got back on terms and went on to take the tie, 3-1 the final scoreline, to end Brook's run in the competition at the last thirty-two stage.

CORINTHIAN CUP

In the Corinthian Cup, there were two cupsets as Division One sides reigned supreme over Senior clubs, beginning at Parsloes Park where the holders, London All Stars, saw their reign in the competition come to an end with a 1-0 defeat against an AC Milano side, Aaron Browne scoring the game's only goal.

There was a Newham derby in the competition's other tie where Club 1017 were in home action against local side JK Silvertown. It was once again the lower ranked side who progressed as JK won by the odd goal in a 2-1 success, David Leech and Dominique Momba-Simos the scorers to put the visitors through into the quarter-finals.

TROPHYLAND CUP

The Trophyland Cup action saw just one tie played as Division Three's City SIte successfully navigated their second round clash with Hainault Athletic on Sunday as Alex Paraskeva, Harry Watkins, Robert Garvan and Robbie Farrell all netted in a 4-0 success at the Rec.

SENIOR DIVISION

WIth just a single game, it pitted Hatch Lane up against Critics for the first time with both sides very familiar with each other. Critics led early before Hatch got themselves into the ascendancy, twice leading, but Critics earned a point with 3-3 the final score. Dylan and Daniel Florence, plus Reo Griffiths, all struck for the visitors.

DIVISION ONE CUP

The first round of fixtures took place in the group stage of the Division One Cup where Barking Riverside put themselves to the head of the group after the the first week of games, with a strong 6-0 winning performance in their opening tie away at Wanstead, taking home all three points.

Sitting in second place after their opening clash from the round are Benchviews who had a home tie against Cinoci to navigate on Sunday as the sides met in East Ham. And it was the hosts who prevailed to pick up three points, winning 4-2 as Dion Johnson, Daniel Baeth and Terrell Miller goals overcame two Fassal Ali efforts for the visitors.

Also victorious after the opening round of games were Barking & Dagenham Wanderers who faced up to an in-form St Augustines side at Robert Clack, both sides keen to get their cup run going with a victory. But it was the Wanderers who took the points, winning 3-2 in the end to bounce back to winning ways.

DIVISION TWO

Condor's strong form in recent weeks has seen them move fifth, level on points with both of the sides above, their latest efforts seeing them earn all three points in a 3-1 success at Daglanta at the Flats. Mihai Bozianu scored twice for his side, Mihail Bejenaru scoring the other to make it five wins for the season.

It was third versus fourth in Dagenham too where FC Galaxy were the hosts with the visit of Colebrook Royals Seniors at Castle Green, both sides sitting level on points with each other in the standings. It was therefore a predicatable draw as the outcome, the sides having to share the spoils at 1-1, James Jolly more than happy with his goal for the Royals.

Over in Highams Park, an in-form East London Ballers were in town looking to add league points to their haul of recent cup victories, taking on hosts Higham Hill who themselves were in need of vital points. Despite two Bryan Smith goals for Hill, Ballers were 6-2 winners with Ibrahim Khan (2), Kishawn James, Yaya Bamba, Abdu Ismail and Teyon Weston all scoring.

DIVISION THREE

There was a cracker of a game towards the bottom end of Division Three where United Amateurs and Barking faced each in a vital game. Amateurs had got themselves into a lead before a Barking fight back made it 3-3, the hosts then scoring late on to take a 4-3 win. Leon Arif (2), Sabjan Kukaj and Christopher White scored for United with Daniel Jaricha-Cummins, Luke Adaka and Liam Lezama-Johnson scoring for the Blues.

Over in Newbury Park, Singh Sabha Barking went into their game against JP8 holding a three-point lead over their opponents but in a good spur of form after recent successes. The game went the way of the hosts as Singh Sabha won 5-0, a result which moves them to within two points of the leaders, albeit from a couple more games.

DIVISION FOUR

The league leaders, Colebrook Royals Reserves, got back to winning ways this weekend to extend their lead to five points in Division Four, making a prosperous trip to Prospect Protege, coming away as 5-1 winners. Ethan Kieran's goal proved just consolation as Brandon Fulton's hat-trick along with Phorell Brooke and Djean Holland goals helped their side to the win.

There were two big wins for sides towards the bottom of the division, beginning with a Christmas cracker of a fixture in Debden where Horse & Well and Cardinals Athletic shared twelve goals, the latter prevailing 7-5. Daniel Acquaye and Tom Headaux scored twice, Josh Morris, Ousmany Dibaga and Kieran Wilkinson also netting for Cardinals as Kurt Freeney and Joe Powell both struck twice for Well.

Over at Wanstead Flats it was ninth versus tenth in the division as a local derby fixture saw Kit Out London in home action against co-tenants Eastern Avenue, just three points seperating those sides before kick-off. But it was Avenue who rose greater to the task, winning the game 3-1 to complete a third league win, overcoming Akeem Matthews' goal.

DIVISION FIVE

In Division Five, Royal Lions B made the trip into east London to take on Athletic Newham, ten points between those sides heading into the game. It was the higher placed Lions side who did the business on the day, though were pushed hard for a 2-1 success, that result enough to move them second, Bobby Wooster scoring Newham's consolation effort.

DIVISION SIX

In Division Six, leaders Woodford Town Reserves have now opened up a six point gap at the top of the table as they came through on the right side of an entertaining 9-4 home win against Brymans Park. Shane Taylor scored a hat-trick for Park and Tom Sharpe struck the other but those goals proved in vain in the end as the leaders romped to the win.

Fourth placed Epping Royals closed the gap on the side above them, Valence United Reserves, the visitors taking all three points back north with them in a 3-1 scoreline. Joseph Bothwell scored twice and George Sack once, rendering Ayomide Ibuola's effort as just consolation, the gap between the sides closing to just a point.

There were plenty of goals also at Roding Valley where London Legacy secured their fifth win this term with a 6-2 home success against eighth placed FC Mexico. Ayanda Masuku, Tyrell De Oliveira, Lucas Tavares, Motayyab Saeed, Ashley King-Campbell and Tyler Brammer were the men on target to help their side earn the win.

Mayfield Kings have moved themselves further clear of any relegation worries in the division as they produced a 3-0 away winning performance to see off TItans United at Old Dagenham Park. KIz Myaz, Younes Ferhani and Kelson Tomas were all on the scoresheet, a result which moves Kings six points clear of the danger zone. 

DIVISION SEVEN

There was just the one game in Division Seven to survive the elements as Warren United took an Gatcliffe in Hainault, the hosts earning themselves a seventh league win this term to close the gap on the promotion places to just three points. United were 3-2 winners as Oliver Regan, Harry Turner and William Turner goals made the difference.

COUNTY CUP

In the day's rearranged county cup tie, the Essex Junior Cup saw another Corinthian side progress on as Upshire Forest produced a cupset against a side place two divisions higher, knocking out Stanford Royals in a 3-0 win at Lakeside with East London Ballers their next opponents.

In the Essex Junior Trophy, it was an all-Division Five clash in the tie between May & Baker EC and Mansfield Rangers, those sides coming together in Dagenham for a place in the last sixteen. But an in-form Bakers side have become tough to beat and they won 2-1 to head on through. 

The other third round tie saw Lonsdale in home action against a side from three tiers above with Brentwood Sunday League's Debden Sports, the visitors to Castle Green. And it was Sports who edged what looked like a good game, 5-3 winners to book their spot in the fourth round.

CHARITY CUP

There was a cupset in the first round of the West Essex Sunday Charity Trophy on Sunday where Division Four's Woodford Town put themselves into the hat for the quarter-finals with a 5-2 winning performance against a well regarded Valence United from Division Three. That result booked them a trip to Alpha in the last eight.