WEEK 16 REVIEW: Round-up of all the Corinthian action from the final matches of 2023

CORINTHIAN CUP

Senior Division side FLY are safely through into the hat for the quarter-finals of the Corinthian Cup, completing a comprehensive 13-3 win at home against Cloud 9 on Sunday. Dimeji Shonuga scored five, Archie Hammond a hat-trick, Khadean Campbell twice with Reece Simpson, Albert Edwards and Richard Kone goals wrapping up the win.

DIVISION ONE CUP

The second round of Division One Cup ties has seen Barking & Dagenham Wanderers take control of the group stage, moving top and three points clear after a second competition win, this week defeating Barking Riverside at Castle Green in a 4-2 scoreline. Josh Renwick-Smith struck twice for Wanderers with Alex Leslie and Nick Read goals completing their second win.

Over in Newbury Park, St Augustines were at home in their second game of the competition with the visit of JK Silvertown, themselves playing their first tie in the group. And it was the in-form JK side who took the honours in this one, winning the tie 4-1 to take maximum points. David Leech, Dominique Momba-Simos, Aeli Agha and Chris Wright all got on the scoresheet for their side.

In Loughton, the third tie of the day saw hosts Cinoci in home action, facing up to Wanstead in both sides’ second tie of the competition. After defeat in the first round of games, it was a Cinoci victory this time around, moving fifth on the back of a 3-1 success at Roding Valley. Astrit Loshaj scored twice and Simon Omope grabbed the other to win the game.

DIVISION TWO

In Division Two, with the top two sides out of action, that gave Colebrook Royals Seniors and an improved Condor side the chance to move closer to the promotion places, both sides starting the day level on points. A despite a man deficit, Colebrook were the side to end the year in solid fashion, winning 4-2 with Royal goals from Joe Cole, Presley Evans, Nedret Ozkasim and Kaci Henry.

That same scoreline was in play at Wadham Lodge where Ainslie ended their year with some momentum, moving eight points clear of the drop zone courtesy of a 4-2 success against fourth placed FC Galaxy. Ruben Costache scored twice for the visitors but Ainslie’s four goals ensured the victory went to the hosts, their fourth win of the season.

DIVISION THREE

Things couldn’t be much tighter at the top of Division Three where City Site moved themselves to withing a point of the promotion places following a hard fought 4-2 away on Sunday, defeating Barking at Mayesbrook Park. Tunji Ebun-Cole and Junayd Subhi struck for the Blues but City goals from Harry Watkins, Frederick Mattock, Alex Paraskeva and Billy Cole move them third.

Just a point behind City and still very much in the race themselves, fourth placed Upshire Forest rounded off their calendar year with another win, making it six wins in the league this season following a narrow 1-0 away win at South Ilford Catholics. Daniel Roult scored the game’s only game at Hainault Rec.

There was a festive thriller in the division’s other game, involving two other sides who could still impact matters above, JP8 and Valence United competing in the Dagenham derby. Rowan Newland was in fine form again, scoring a Valence hat-trick, along with a Josh Russell goal, though their efforts were matched by the hosts as the game ended in a 4-4 draw.

DIVISION FOUR

Top of the table Colebrook Royals Reserves will take an unbeaten lead into the festive break, completing a ninth league win this season following a 3-0 home win against Prospect Protégé in Chigwell to move eight points clear. They had two-goal Kamran Latif and a an Oscar Simmons effort to thank for their latest efforts.

At the other end of the table, bottom side Kit Out London have moved to within five points of safety after picking up just a second league win, defeating Silencio in a 3-1 scoreline at Wanstead Flats. Kurt Smith, Mihail Elenkov and Osakpolor Omorodion all found the back of the net for the hosts to give them something to fight for the new year, rendering Mohammed Rashid’s goal as just consolation.

In another big result affecting the lower half of the standings, Eastern Avenue moved up three places from ninth to sixth in a congested table, their last action before Christmas seeing them pick up a 2-0 home win against Cardinals Athletic. Paulius Olisauskas scored both of the game’s goals for the hosts to earn them win number four in the league this term.

DIVISION FIVE

There are new leaders at the top of Division Five heading into Christmas as Royal Lions B ended the year in style with a big home win against Lonsdale at Hainault Rec, moving a point clear the top, this being their seventh win this term. Charlie Owen had struck for the visitors but they remain eighth as that effort proved not quite enough.

That outcome was made possible as a shock result saw bottom of the table Young Royals pick up just a second league win this season in a win against previously top of the table Coppice Row, Royals travelling back from Loughton with all three points to remind themselves of their potential. That result moved Royals level with the side above but still a point from safety.

The biggest winners in the division were Athletic Newham who moved themselves up a couple of places into seventh place by recording their third win this season following victory at home against Ace Athletics in Beckton. Jamie Wooster scored two, Robert Devlin, George Hearson, Tim Mason and Jack Field scoring the others in a 6-0 success.

May & Baker EC extended their unbeaten run on Sunday but were made to work for a point by Hainault Athletic who rescued a point late on as the game ended 2-2. Billy Pearmain and Deon Spelling both struck for Bakers but Ashley White and Yousef Obaid goals for Hainault ensured they drew yet another game, their fifth such result this term.

DIVISION SIX

There was a glut of goals in Division Six, beginning with the game at Stonards Hill where hosts Epping Royals were looking to extend their decent run of form with the visit of the league leaders, Woodford Town Reserves. With both sides having scored a fair few goals this year, it was perhaps expected to be a goal glut and so it proved, though Woodford had the better of things, winning the game 7-3.

Still sitting second, Chingford Athletic will continue to hope for a slip-up by the leaders in the new year, doing their bit to stay in the race following a 3-1 away victory against Barking Colts at Hainault Rec on Sunday. Edward Abery scored for the hosts but that proved not quite enough as Chingford scored three goals of their own to win the game.

Just a few pitches away, Mayfield Kings and Brymans Park went into their final games of the year level on points before kick-off. But Kings were able to move three points further ahead and into fifth place, winning the game 4-1 at the Rec to earn a fifth league win this season. Two Igor Sousa efforts plus goals from Alex Vallance and Kiz Myaz were enough to render Daniel Munroe’s goal as just consolation.

DIVISION SEVEN

Ridgeway Rovers head into the festive break with their unbeaten record intact, that coming on the back of a tenth win on Sunday as they defeated Gatcliffe in a 3-1 scoreline over in Dagenham. A goal apiece from Lewis Marshall, Sanchez Bolessa and Harley Hillman were the difference between the sides as Rovers stayed three points clear at the summit.

The side sitting just a win behind them are second placed Colebrook Royals A who will be pleased with their efforts from the first half of the season, picking up their ninth victory this season in twelve games after a big 7-0 home win against Warren United. That result kept them four points ahead of the third placed side in the race for the promotion places.

Down at the other end of the table, Zone 4 Athletic remain bottom but now only on goal difference, ending 2023 with a vital second win to give them hopes of an improved showing in the new year. They were 4-1 winners at home against FC Leytonstone Reserves to tighten up the sides towards the bottom. Teraun Davis scored two, adding to other strikes from Constantin Calmatui and Kai Wade.

COUNTY CUP

It was third round day in the London Sunday Challenge Cup with two Corinthian sides secure safe passage into the quarter-finals, beginning with Flyhouse Athletic who are at this stage for the first time on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 win, defeating fellow league side, London All Stars.

Also through into the quarter-finals, Baiteze Squad followed their national cup win last time out with a London Cup victory this week though were pushed hard by south London based JAM, the hosts prevailing 2-1 to reach the last eight.

Not too far away at the Marshes, Club 1017 saw their maiden London Cup campaign reach a conclusion, heading out following a 3-1 defeat on Sunday against top-flight Hackney & Leyton League side, Crondall.

In the Essex Junior Cup, it was defeat on the road for Debden Sports Reserves who made the trip to the seaside on Sunday to take on a higher ranked Earls Hall United from the Southend & Basildon Sunday League. And it ended up a 2-1 defeat against the unbeaten side in a closely fought contest.

In the Essex Junior Trophy, Byron Red Star cause a cupset with victory against a higher ranked Tilbury side from the Thurrock Sunday League, scoring both of the games’ goals in a 2-0 success down at the Gateway Academy to reach round four against Debden Sports.

Also through after a cupset are Manford Way, the Division Five side overcoming Division Four’s Warren Senior at the third round stage to put themselves in the fourth round hat. They were 3-1 winners, setting up a home tie against fellow Division Five’s May & Baker EC next month.

CHARITY CUP

In the West Essex Sunday Charity Cup, last season’s finalists, AC Milano, are through to the quarter-finals this term after a strong performance against Belfry in the first round, heading through following a 5-0 success. They now await the winner from Loxford Lions versus Critics.

The West Essex Trophy also saw action with a cupset result, Division Six’s Valence United Reserves heading into the quarter-finals following a 6-2 home win against Division Five’s Mansfield Rangers, a result which earns them a home last eight tie against May & Baker EC.

There was Plumstead Challenge Cup action too with a second round tie seeing north face south, Brook Athletic making the trip across the river to take on Metrogas on Sunday afternoon. It was the Corinthian side who headed through, winning 2-1 to set up a tie against Blackfen & Erith Athletic.