WEEK 32 REVIEW: Round-up of all the Corinthian League action from the weekend

CORINTHIAN CUP

The line-up for this season’s Corinthian Cup Final is now confirmed following both semi-finals taking place at the weekend with London All Stars the first of those through. They had the tough task of facing Division One’s champions elect, Theydon Green, but were able to come through in a 4-2 win with Bruno Tavares scoring two, Misha Djemaili and Antonio Walcott netting the others. Josh Steele and Luke Dimond goals accounted for the Green goals in reply.

In the day’s other semi-final, Debden Sports Reserves went in as underdogs against the county champions, Flyhouse Athletic, trying to make up a two division deficit. But it was the Senior side, Flyhouse, who done what they needed to do, winning the tie 7-3 in Newbury Park to send their side through to yet another cup final, their third of the campaign.

SENIOR DIVISION

There were two big results in the Senior Division on Sunday, firstly as Manford Way racked up a tenth league win of the season to remain leaders in the division, edging a close game against second placed Brook Athletic by the odd goal, a 2-1 victory. Fabio Nunes struck with the Brook goal but his efforts proved in vain.

Over in Chigwell, Baiteze Squad got back to winning ways to ensure they keep in touch with the sides around them, scoring ten without reply against El Valiente to make it eight wins from thirteen this term for the hosts. With five games still to go, Baiteze will need to win all of those and hope that other sides around them drop points, though there are ample opportunities for that to happen this month.

DIVISION ONE

The sides in second and third ensured the race for the title will enter the final month as second placed Gants Hill closed to within three points of the leaders on Sunday, completing a solid 2-0 win against St Augustines in Newbury Park to rack up a twelfth league win of the season. Hill will need a victory from their remaining game and hope for a lot of points dropped by those around them.

Critics remain the other side in mathematical contention for the title though that could be ended this weekend, the Barkingside based side doing their bit to keep things interesting by completing a 5-0 win at home to relegated Royal Lions A. Malique Clarke came off the bench to score two, Dean Florence and Hayes Thomas netting the others, ahead of their semi-final this Wednesday.

Former local rivals Barking Riverside and FC Galaxy were in action in Hainault at the weekend, separated by five going into the game. But that was extended to eight points by full-time as Mihai Mareniuc scored twice, adding to efforts from Mihalache Dumitru, Giovani-Ionut Paladoiu and Butnaru Daniel for Galaxy in a 5-3 win for their side.

DIVISION TWO

There were some big results affecting the bottom end of the Division Two table on Sunday as East London Harriers moved outside of the relegation places with a hugely important 3-2 home success against Leytonstone Athletic. Harry Burton scored both of the Athletic goals but Harriers scored three of their own to make it four league wins this term.

Also steering clear of any imminent danger were Higham Hill who took all three points against relegation threatened Inside Success, Hill winning 2-0 at Oakside to take their points tally to eighteen for the season. The wily Charlie Saywood was on the scoresheet with both of the Hill goals to keep them away from danger for now.

Cloud 9’s final game of the season saw them move into fourth spot with a hard-fought victory against Newbury Forest, winning a five goal thriller 3-2. Daniel Ross was on the scoresheet with both of the Forest goals but the hosts rounded off their first campaign with a ninth league win to sit fourth as they await the remaining results of those around them to determine a finishing position.

DIVISION THREE

The race for the title remains well poised going into the last month with Ainslie having had a very productive weekend, earning maximum points from a double header against Valence United. Ryan Radley’s hat-trick earned them a 3-1 win in game one, Ryan Knight on target with the United consolation, before Eric Kelly took hat-trick honours in game two, Freddie Wrighton scoring the other in a 4-2 success. Burt Cardy and Rowan Newland responded with the visitors’ efforts.

It was a mixed outcome in the day’s other double header which saw FC Mexico B take their first league points of the season, completing the win against Colebrook Royals Vets in game one with a 3-0 victory under their belts. Game two saw the tables turned however with Colebrook walking away with a vital 1-0 win, their eighth of the season, to remain well amongst the title race for the last five games.

DIVISION FOUR

Horse & Well have almost assured themselves of a top half finish in their first season with the competition, coming away 2-0 winners on Sunday against Prospect Protégé to open up a six point gap over the side below them. Chris Marsh and Joe Powell were the men on target with those key efforts, leaving them with two games left in the season.

DIVISION FIVE

There was a key point for Titans United in their final game of the season on Sunday as they held Mansfield Rangers to a 1-1 draw at Old Dagenham Park to move themselves to safety, at least temporarily, Jack Cousins scoring the Rangers goals. Titans will now need to await results of the two sides below them to determine if they can avoid the drop.

In the day’s other game, Ultimate Vision Reserves’ final game of the season saw Manford Way Reserves the visitors to Dagenham, the sides separated by four points going into the game. But that had been reduced to a single point by full-time as Manford won 4-2, courtesy of goals from Jake Crump, Oliver Dosad, Jake Li and Charlie Moore.

DIVISION SIX

Matters at the top have all but been wrapped up now with the newly crowned champions, Young Royals, in action against the probable runners-up on Sunday, Valence United Reserves. It was the Dagenham-based hosts who took the points they needed, winning 3-0 through goals from Billy Biggs, Enzo Victoriano and Eligijus Dapkus.

Epping Forest Falcons could well have earned one of their highest placed finishes for a number of years following the weekend’s results, Falcons making it nine wins for the season, defeating Warren United 4-1. Sauban Isiaka scored twice, Nana Addo and Ryan Lawless netting the others to move fourth in the standings.

With three games to go still, Ridgeway Rovers could yet pip them to the post for a top four place but will need to win all of their remaining games, aided by their most recent success on Sunday, defeating Royal Lions C in a 1-0 scoreline. Harley Hillman scored the game’s only goal for Rovers to keep them on track for a top-half finish.

CHARITY CUP

The first half of the West Essex Sunday Charity Cup Final line-up is now completed and it will be an all-Corinthian final this year after Division Two’s AC Milano took victory in a penalty shootout on Sunday against JK Silvertown to head through to the final. They will now face either Brook Athletic or Critics who face-off for the other place on Wednesday evening.