WEEK 19 REVIEW: Round-up of all the Corinthian League action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

In the Senior Division, last season’s runners-up, Flyhouse Athletic, have moved up into third spot in the table as they took all three points from their home clash with Total Football. Kai Brown and Solomon Ogunwomoju scored the goals that separated the sides, the hosts completing a 2-0 win.

DIVISION ONE CUP

In the Division One Cup, Barking & Dagenham Wanderers have moved level on points with the group stage leaders following the weekend’s results, Wanderers completing a third win in four games as they defeated Benchviews in a 4-1 win in East Ham. Joshua Renwick-Smith, Rivaldo Vinda, Alex Leslie and Adel Baaziz scored the goals to earn their team three points.

Two further teams joined the group of clubs on six points in the race for the semi-final slots, AC Milano moving third in the table following an emphatic 9-0 win against Wanstead to enhance their credentials. That completed their second win of the group stage while Wanstead, with three games to go, now need a late surge if they are to progress.

Also sitting on six points, one of four sides to be doing so, St Augustines recent good form in all competitions sees them move into fourth place in the group, returning home from Loughton with all three points as they saw off Cinoci in a 2-0 scoreline. That leaves both sides well in the mix for a tilt at a knock-out place.

DIVISION TWO CUP

It was quarter-final day for two of our Division Two clubs where Leytonstone Athletic belied their league position to put up a good test for Debden Sports Reserves at the Flats, a late goal eventually separating the tie in favour of Debden. Bruno Dos Santos struck with the Leytonstone goal while Billy Barr and Charlie Thomas efforts earned Sports a 2-1 win.

DIVISION TWO

In the league, FC Galaxy were hosts to a Belfry side who knew a win would move them level on points with the leaders. It took a nine-goal thriller to eventually separate the sides with Sam Paterson’s hat-trick leading the way, Jamie Redington and Ryan O’Connell netting the others in a 5-4 win. Giovani-Ionut Paladoiu (2), Mihai Mareniuc and Tatian Radu scored the Galaxy consolation efforts.

Colebrook Royals Seniors missed the chance to cut the gap at the top as they slipped to an away defeat at the hands of Daglanta at Wanstead Flats, the hosts coming away 6-3 winners to move within two points of their opponents. Kaci Henry struck twice for the Royals with Sam Wilson also netting, albeit in consolation.

Over at Wadham Lodge, in the local derby game, hosts Ainslie were in home action with the visit of Higham Hill who made the short journey across the Crooked Billet. Eric Kelly’s goals have proved vital to Ainslie this year and he netted another hat-trick to help his side, Nial Mullins and Jack Back also netting to overcome Charlie Saywood’s goal for Hill.

There was just the one goal separating the sides in the division’s other contest as Cloud 9’s return to action in the new year saw them with a home fixture in Chigwell against Condor. The visitors started the day just four points ahead of their hosts but extended that to seven, scoring the game’s only goal to win 1-0 and sit fourth.

DIVISION THREE CUP

There was a big cupset in the Division Three Cup where league leaders, AC Milano Reserves, saw their hopes in this competition take a hit as they were sent out on penalties against JP8 after the game had finished in a 1-1 draw. JP8 took the shootout in a 3-2 scoreline to head through to next week’s quarter-final.

DIVISION THREE

With other sides around them out of action in the league, Singh Sabha Barking moved top of the table by a point after making the difficult trip to Upshire Forest but returning with all three points in a 4-2 success. Costi-Marian Varsoi scored twice for Upshire but Singh Sabha goals from Victor Ferrini, Denim Nnamudi, Kailen Davey and Sebastian Osei-Obengo gave them the win.

Also making the most of others being in cup action, Valence United moved up into third place in the table, five points off the promotion places, following a local derby victory against Barking at Mayesbrook Park. Kevin Mafuta struck for the hosts but a Valence brace in reply from Charlie Surridge plus goals from Ben King and Rowan Newland made it a 4-1 result.

South Ilford Catholic’s were in local derby action with the visit to co-tenants United Amateurs at the Rec, both sides in vital need of points. Ronald Druyeh and Charlie Briggs both netted braces for Catholics, Jack Barthram scoring the other, while United man Jack Chawner scored twice in reply and Frankie Faulkner once, the game ending 5-3 in favour of the visitors.

DIVISION FOUR CUP

There was first round action in the Division Four Cup where two of the division’s big shots, Warren Senior and Colebrook Royals Reserves, were up against each other at Westlands. Brandon Richmond and Oscar Simmons scored for the Royals but Scott McGlynn was the hero with a Warren hat-trick, his efforts completing a 3-2 win for the hosts.

DIVISION FOUR

Back in the league and there were goals aplenty, beginning at Hainault Rec where Prospect Protégé moved up into fourth place with a strong home win against Kit Out London. Alexander Brennand (2), Ethan Kieran, George Matthew, Donovan Wright and Archie Kieran all scored while Sravan Manda, Torren Darroux and Christian Yila struck with the Kit Out goals.

Over at Parsloes Park, there were seven goals in the game there where Cardinals Athletic entertained a Silencio side with just a point between them heading into the game. A seven-goal thriller saw Daniel Acquaye net a hat-trick for the hosts with Ousmany Dibaga scoring the other to make it a 4-3 win for Cardinals.

DIVISION FIVE CUP

There were two first round ties on Sunday where the current holders, Lonsdale, ensured themselves of a place in the quarter-finals of this year’s competition, completing a 4-1 home victory against Young Royals. Kalium Fletcher struck twice, Charlie Owen and Conor Treadwell scoring the others to put their team through.

Also into the hat for the last eight are May & Baker EC who continued their strong form with an emphatic away performance, beating Mansfield Rangers in an 8-0 scoreline to head into the quarter-finals of the competition. Robbie Norris and Billy Pearmain both scored twicem Billy Gray, Jordan Miller, Ross Riding and Ryan Rodwell all netting in the big win.

In the day’s quarter-final action, Coppice Row and Hainault Athletic renewed acquaintances once again, this time with a place in the semi-final at stake for the winners. An expectedly close game was settled by the odd goal in three, Jordan Aymer-Jeffrey and Margim Marku goals proving the difference, overcoming Adam Newbold’s effort in a 2-1 Coppice win.

DIVISION FIVE

There was important game at both ends of the table as Manford Way collected the points they needed to return to the top of the table, defeating Ace Athletics in the Forest Road derby. Joshua Craske and Louie Seaman scored for Ace but Manford goals from Callum Owen (2), Charlie Saltmarsh and Jake Crump carried the visitors to a 5-2 win.

DIVISION SIX CUP

There was a sparkling performance from FC Mexico in round one of the cup on Sunday as they turned around their fortunates against Mayfield Kings to win 9-0 at Old Parkonians, taking them into the quarter-finals. Jack Wilkinson scored a hat-trick, Alex O’Halloran scored two, Carl Cumberbatch, Alan Liddell, Aaron Bennett and Mujib Ayoola also on the scoresheet.

DIVISION SIX

In Division Six, Woodford Town Reserves have moved to the cusp of the league title, overcoming one of their last remaining big hurdles with a hard fought 2-1 win away at Valence United Reserves at Barking Park. Goals from Jacob Richards and Freddie Halls were the difference between the sides, placing Town three points from glory.

In matters further down the league standings, London Legacy had an away trip ahead of them on Sunday with Titans United the opponents at Old Dagenham Park. A close game was settled in the end by two goals from Legacy as Mohamed Noor and Walid Benmouna both found the back of the net in a 2-0 success for the visitors.

DIVISION SEVEN CUP

In the Division Seven Cup, it was a comprehensive performance from Debden Sports A against FC Leytonstone Reserves who earned their place in the last eight courtesy of an outstanding substitute appearance from Shane Mitchell who scored seven off the bench in an 11-0 win. Alec Osborn also scored twice, Brendan ANamole and Tom Standen scoring the others.

DIVISION SEVEN

There were two league fixtures too in the division, beginning at Hall Lane where an entertaining game saw Emerson & Upminster and Warren United settle for a share of the points after a 3-3 draw. Archie Larkin struck a brace for Emerson with Flynn Treanor also scoring to take a good point.

There was a glut of goals in Woodford where Epping Forest Falcons were the hosts to a Ping City Phoenixes side, the latter holding a four position advantage going into the game. And it was Ping who walked away the happier of the sides, winning 4-2 courtesy of goals from Ezra Waterman (2), Jack Flood and Charlie Thompson while Varun Syal and Emmanuel Addo struck for the hosts.

NATIONAL CUP

It was fourth round day in the FA Sunday Cup with FC Bapco making the trip up from Berkshire to face Baiteze Squad at Ive Farm at the weekend. Slipping behind early on, Baiteze levelled then led either side of the break before the hosts got back on terms. But a late penalty handed Baiteze a 3-2 win and a place in the quarter-finals next month.

COUNTY CUP

In the Essex Sunday Premier Cup, Hatch Lane are one step away from repeating their run in the competition last season, completing a quarter-final win on Sunday at home against FLY. But they didn’t get things all their own way, the sides battling to a 3-3 draw before Hatch ran out 3-2 winners in the resulting shootout.

JK Silvertown were the league’s other representatives on Sunday in the top Essex cup competition and had a trip up the A12 ahead of them as they travelled to face former winners of this competition, Priory Sports. But it was to prove a fruitless trip, Priory winning the game 3-0 to end JK’s great run in the competition as the lowest ranked side.

In the London Sunday Trophy, the Corinthian League will have guaranteed finalists once again in the competition as East London Ballers produced the goods to defeat Hackney & Leyton League’s Boundary Estate in a 3-1 success, setting up a mouthwatering home semi-final against rivals AC Milano, last season’s beaten finalists.

The Essex Sunday Junior Trophy fourth round tie saw Byron Red Star make the trip across to Debden Sports on Sunday with a two division deficit to make up on their opponents. But Byron led at the break before Debden twice regained the lead themselves then Byron struck a late leveller to make it 3-3. And it was Debden who held their nerve from the spot kicks to take their place in the quarter-finals.

The league’s maiden representatives in the Kent Sunday Premier Cup saw their run come to an end in round five, Club 1017’s trip to the Isle of Sheppey to take on Range Rover Sports proving to be an unsuccessful one as the hosts ran out 4-0 winners on the day to end Club’s hopes in the competition.

CHARITY CUP

There were two ties in the West Essex Sunday Charity Trophy quarter-finals on Sunday, beginning with Division Seven’s Colebrook Royals A almost pulling off one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history, eventually falling to a 4-3 defeat against City Site from four divisions above them.

Division Five’s Alpha were another side to put in a good shift and almost cause a cupset as they held Division Four’s title contenders, Woodford Town, to a 1-1 draw at the end of ninety minutes at Wanstead Flats. But Town completed a 5-4 shootout win to quell the nerves and ensure they made the semi-finals.