WEEK 21 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and cup action from the weekend

CORINTHIAN CUP

The quarter final is now complete for this season’s Corinthian Cup competition as Baiteze Squad avoided any potential banana skin with a home victory Premier Division side Roose. Ahead of their upcoming key cup commitments, Baiteze were 5-1 winners to keep hopes of a quintuplet alive, booking a home semi final against AC Milano, Chaka Barnett and Kevin Krans both scoring twice and Sam Jeremiah once.

SENIOR CUP – GROUP STAGE

The highest scoring game of the Senior Cup opening action saw an eleven goal thriller in Group A as Premier Division Flyhouse Athletic pushed their Senior counterparts, East Way Athletic, all the way with the latter eventually prevailing 6-5 to top the early group proceedings.

In Group B, there was an early success for Secret who opened their campaign with a victory, defeating fellow top flight side United Dian in a 3-2 scoreline at Bretons Farm. Joseph Connor scored twice and Eden Nelson bagged the other to take the spoils for their side.

There were two closely fought contests in Group C where El Valiente top the group after the first round of fixtures as they saw off the efforts of second tier Barking & Dagenham Wanderers winning the game 3-1. Martin Arowoshaye was in fine form, coming off the bench to score all three goals for his side.

Also in that group, there was a very narrow win for the Senior Division leaders, Hatch Lane, who had a real battle on their hands against Avintul. It was a game settled by just the one goal as Tremayne Coley netted for Hatch to win the tie 1-0.

Group D saw a bit of an upset as the Premier Division leaders, Brook Athletic, faced Senior Division FC Ballr and came away with maximum points from the game, winning it 4-2 to show their credentials. Tim Ogunrinde scored twice for FC Ballr but Brook goals from Mitchell Collymore, Craig Jeakins, Tyrell Holder and Ish Raymond won the tie.

DIVISION ONE CUP

The first semi finalists for the Division One Cup were confirmed on Sunday as AC Milano took on Emerson Park at home in the quarter finals, the hosts running out 5-3 winners on the day where they now await the winners from the other half of the draw. Mohamed Kidia scored twice alongside goals from Nesar Torkamani, Uzair Patel and Nadeem Khankhara.

DIVISION TWO CUP

In the Division Two Cup first round, it was away wins all round as East London Harriers placed themselves two wins away from a final, coming away from Frenford on the back of a 4-0 victory. Tyler Simmons, Jack Hurley, Connor Brown and Tommy Carter-Hamilton all struck the net to send their side through.

There was a tough looking tie involving two of the division’s top half sides where Eastbrook United had home advantage in their home clash against St Augustines. But it was the Saints who progressed into the last eight with a 2-0 win, goals arriving from Augustine Appiah and Callum Daniels to continue their side’s excellent season.

Also in the last sixteen, there was a win for Total Football who overcame the challenge of FC Mexico B to ensure they made the last eight of the competition, the Loughton based side winning 5-1. Fahed Gani scored twice to go along with efforts from Adam Gomes, Carl Parsons and Sachin Bawa to help their side through.

There was also one quarter final tie played which saw an entertaining game in Walthamstow between Asianos and Thames Ironworks Community. It was the latter who made it two cup wins on the trot, the game ending level at 3-3 at full-time, Kieran Hones, Liam Tracey-Cesay and Michael Harris all netting for Thames who edged the dramatic shootout 6-5.

DIVISION THREE CUP

In the Division Three Cup competition, there was a quarter final tie in Walthamstow which saw Inside Success at home against Debden Sports Reserves for a place in the last four. Debden went into the game as the higher placed side and made no mistake on the day, winning the game 3-1 to reach the semi finals with Callum Thomas, Joe Mead and Charlie Harper all netting.

DIVISION FOUR CUP

There were three first round ties in the Division Four Cup on Sunday, the first one seeing Lonsdale secure their place in the last eight following a big 5-0 home win against Titans United. Two Denis Hilaj goals led the way with Kalium Fletcher, Leo Suta and a long range effort from the experienced Murray Fortag completing the victory.

There was a close game in Waltham Abbey where Ace Athletics were looking to put league form behind them with a tie against Chingford Athletic Reserves. They did indeed battle hard to finish level at 2-2 with Jay Simmons netting. But it was a Chingford win in the shootout to book the high-fliers a place in the last eight.

Also into the last eight are Ultimate Vision Reserves who made sure of their place in the quarter finals with a 3-0 home win in Dagenham against Raphael Park Rovers. Vision goals from Reece Kelly, Billy Rose and Ricky Rose were the difference between the sides as they confirmed a home last four place against Blackwall Rovers.

DIVISION FIVE CUP

In the day’s sole Division Five Cup tie, first round action from Beckton saw Custom House Community up against Belfry Reserves with the two teams battling it out for a place in the quarters. Belfry made their loftier league position pay, overcoming a Matthew Guy goal to go through, Rishi Sondhi, Tarron Tennant and Darnyll Blake efforts confirming a 3-1 Belfry win.

DIVISION SIX CUP

The first round action in the Division Six Cup saw another entertaining tie from Hainault which saw Woodford Green United in action at home to Valence United Reserves. A five goal thriller saw George Butler score twice and Frank Whitcher once for Green which was enough to overcome John Darby and Jo Megege goals for Valence in a 3-2 win.

DIVISION THREE

There were two games in Division Three where Upshire Forest were in scintillating form in their home clash with Mayfield Kings, scoring eight without reply to move to within four points of the promotion places. Luke Robinson bagged a hat-trick, coupled with efforts from Riley Bowers, Callum Gater, Daniel Roult, Rhys Thurgood and Callum Godfrey in an 8-0 win.

The day’s other game came from Belhus Park in Aveley as Alpha were the visitors to take on Imperial Row, seeking to cut the cup at the top. They missed the change to take full advantage as an improving Row side took a point in a 1-1 draw. Mitch Bllard scored for the hosts with Daniel Wallace netting in reply for Alpha.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, the biggest result of the day came from Wanstead Flats where the league leaders, Singh Sabha Barking, slipped to just a second league defeat of the season as they were beaten by now fifth placed Blackwall Rovers. A 2-1 result saw Rovers shift up a place while Singh Sabha remain seven points clear at the summit.

The other game was entertainment filled with seven goals being shared between hosts Ainslie and Romford Athletic Dons who were the visitors to Wadham Lodge. Chris Ratty rattled in a hat-trick for the Dons but his efforts were in vain as Harrison Riley, Jay Dignance, Kailem Gayle and Billy Wigg all struck to fire Ainslie to a 4-3 victory.

DIVISION FIVE

The sole Division Five action saw Young Royals in action against United Borough, Royals knowing that games are running out in their quest to avoid the drop. Borough were in fine form in front of goal and picked up a 5-0 win. Goals from Frankie Westwood, Elliott Hastings, Jake Griffin, Ben Miller and Joel Williams done the damage to send their side home with the points.

DIVISION SIX

There were some big results in Division Six with Royal Lions C pulling off a terrific win as they defeated league leaders Mansfield Rangers, the top side falling to just a second league defeat of the season. Jake Magson and Kemston Allen both struck for Mansfield but those proved just consolation as the hosts took maximum points in a 4-2 win.

The biggest result of the day came from Barkingside where Ping City Phoenixes were in terrific scoring form in their new home with a 9-0 win against Ivory United. The sides started the day just three points apart but Ezra Waterman’s four goal haul, Jack Flood’s brace and strikes from James Dolphin and Enis Balaman increased that advantage to six.

Colebrook Royals Reserves were able to secure an eighth league win of the season as they edged past Epping Forest Falcons in their game in Woodford, defeating the bottom side in a 2-1 scoreline to remain in title contention. Two Phorell Brooke efforts were enough to overcome a Richard Noakes strike for Falcons on the day.

COUNTY CUP

Two Corinthian clubs will adorn the semi final stages of the Essex county cup competitions this season with Theydon Green setting up a home semi in the Essex Sunday Junior Cup against another Theydon named side, as they came through convincing 5-0 victors against league rivals, Oceana.

Also into the last four of their competition are Valence United who will travel to face a familiar Briar United side after they ran out 4-0 winners on Sunday in their game away at Parsonage Leys Reserves in Harlow.

In the Essex Sunday Premier Cup, the competition’s lowest ranked side, Abridge Village, finally saw their epic run come to an end as the third tier side were edged out 3-2 by Rayleigh Town to see their participation come to an end.

A similar fate was felt by Belfry who led early against old rivals Barkingside but then fell well behind in the game before a fight back was cut short by the referee whistle, ending on the wrong side of a 5-3 loss.

Kulture Klub also ended their hopes of a run into the last four of the competition despite their difficulties in the league, falling to a very experienced and highly fancied Rouge 21 side who romped to a big 9-2 win the advance through.

In the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy, aside from Valence’s victory, Higham Hill’s long trip up the A12 to South Woodham Ferrers United Reserves was a less than fruitful journey as they were beaten 3-0 on the day to exit the competition.

Attentions now turn to our representation in the London Challenge Cup and FA Sunday Cup competitions which take place over the next fortnight.