CUP REPORT: Round-up of the fifth weekend of League Cup action

GROUP A

The battle for the title in Group A will go to the final matches as El Valiente’s unbeaten start came to an end on Sunday with Baiteze Squad keeping the group alive with a 4-2 victory. That result leaves them in pole position, needing just a point from their final group game next weekend.

Secret have moved up to third in the standings with one game to go as they came away with a solid win at home to Flanders. Aaron Blair extended his goal tally with a hat-trick, Aundre Spencer scoring the other to carry their side to a hard fought victory.

There was also a win for East Way Athletic who opened their points tally in the group with an away win against London Mavericks in Newbury Park. Tyler Houston-Taylor and Joel Brown-Bampoe efforts proved enough for the visitors as East Way confirmed a 2-1 victory.

GROUP B

In Group B, this one will go to the wire with FC Ballr the side who are looking to chase down the leaders, Brook Athletic, with two games to go. They started their title attempt with a big 6-3 on Sunday in Loughton, seeing off Repton Park in a 6-3 result.

GROUP C

In Group C, Gants Hill hold a small lead at the top of the group standings with two games to go and they kept themselves in pole position with a win by the odd goal in five away at Barking on Sunday. Justin Lopes and Kastriot Vata scored the Barking goals but proved not quite enough as Hill won 3-2.

Barking Riverside have kept their hat in the ring at the top, moving second on Sunday on the back of a solid 4-1 victory to end Central Colts’ unbeaten start to the campaign. Oussama Bennani scored twice with Sam Dickens and Bukele Mukudi goals rounding things off.

Also remaining well poised, Ultimate Vision sit third with two games to go and they edged their close contest with Barking & Dagenham Wanderers on Sunday to keep within a point of the leaders, winning the game 3-2.

GROUP D

Things are wide open in Group D as Theydon overcame the group leaders, Roose, on Sunday in a 2-1 scoreline to keep five teams in the frame. Robbie Carter and Dion Bishop both got on the scoresheet for Theydon to help their side to a crucial win.

Over in Dagenham, there was a real topsy-turvy thriller between FC Galaxy and Valentine United in which both sides had led. Mihai Mareniuc scored two, Mihalache Dumitru and Luchian Grigore once for Galaxy but two United goals from Tyrone Scarlett plus one apiece from Charlie Fiander, Burt Cardy and Jordan Mullings turned this into a 5-4 win for Valentine.

GROUP E

The race for silverware in Group E took a real turn on Sunday as the top two sides, Chingford Athletic A and Emerson Park, both sporting perfect records, met in a huge game in Warley. Chingford took the lead in the game and looked to be heading to the title but Emerson fought back to win the game 3-1, handing them the opportunity to wrap it up next weekend instead.

FC Mexico A have been quietly accumulating points in the background and assured themselves of a third spot finish with their latest win on Sunday. They beat the early group leaders, Thames Ironworks Community, in a 5-2 scoreline with Dean Hendrickson-Garrett and Serghei Scupoi netting two goals each and Mujib Ayoola’s effort rounded off the scoring.

The two sides at the bottom of the standings met in the group’s final game where David Pietras scored twice for Korona Redbridge. But St Augustines goals from Harry Edelman, Tom Neale and Rorie O’Brien endured the Saints edged this one, winning it 3-2.

GROUP F

The game of the day in Group F was a showdown for the cup at Robert Clack where Roneo Colts faced up to Eastbrook United with both sides knowing that victory would see them lift the trophy. And it was Roneo who were 2-0 victors on the day as Dwayne Francis-Riley and Keenan Gravillis goals proved enough to end their season in style.

The last game in the group came from Hainault where Alpha ensured they will finish third in the standings, leaping above their opponents, FC Mexico B, in the process. A goal apiece from Bradley Williams and Kai Brown were the difference between the sides as Alpha earned themselves a 2-1 win.

GROUP G

Theydon Green have moved to the cusp of securing silverware with a couple of games to go but had to do things the hard way on Sunday, edging their match against local rivals Monkhams 4-3. Alfie Harris, Ben Harris, Ben Brookes and Noah Friend all found the back of the net for Green to ensure they have the opportunity to round things off with a win this weekend.

Total Football remain in second place but will need other results to go their way as Upshire Forest kept their hopes of a high finish alive with a 3-1 victory in Loughton. Chris Atkinson netted for Total but Upshire strikes from Riley Bowers, Luke Robinson and Oliver Campbell earned them the result that they needed.

GROUP H

Congratulations go to Leytonstone Athletic in Group H who secured the points that they needed over the weekend to ensure that their first season ended with some silverware. They came away as 3-0 winners away at Young Royals with Dominic Crichlow scoring twice and Richie Dorcas grabbing the other to make it five wins from five.

Romford Athletic Dons will be pleased with their efforts in the group and just missed out on silverware despite picking up a fourth win on Sunday, beating United Amateurs 5-0 at Fairlop Oak. Scott Buckland netted a hat-trick and Terry Burdge struck a brace to end the season with plenty of momentum towards next season.

In the remaining game of the group, Chingford Athletic Reserves were solid victors in their last game of the season as they earned their first points of the competition with a win at home against Titans United. That result saw them leapfrog their opponents into fifth place in the standings.

GROUP I

In Group I, Royal Lions did things the hard way but got the result they needed to lift the cup in the end as they came from behind against Singh Sabha Barking to take a point in a 3-3 draw in Newbury Park. Indervir Virdi scored twice for Barking and Ryan Dubb once but those efforts were equalled by late Lions goals to end their season on a high.

Valence United finish the season as the runners-up in the group after they picked up a third win of the competition, beating Stow Rovers 5-3 over in Woodford. Jordan Cook scored twice for his side with James Cook, Rowan Newland and Kieron Jones also netting for United to round off a very decent first season as a team.

The final group game came from Barking Park where Custom House Community warmed up for their impending cup final next month with a win against hosts Dagenham Rangers. That result was enough for Custom House to leapfrog their opponents into fourth place in the group following that second win in the group.

GROUP J

Colebrook Royals Vets had already secured their title last weekend in the group but rounded off a super period for the club since the restart as they won 1-0 away at East Tilbury Town in Dagenham. Ben Sitki scored the only goal of a very close game to make it five wins from five for the Chigwell based outfit.

That result enabled Barking Reserves to sweep in to take the runners-up spot in the group as they completed their season with a 6-2 win at home versus Epping Royals. Joseph Boswell and Andrew Smith both got on the Royals scoresheet but their efforts proved in vain as Barking won the game to take second spot.

An exhilarating nine-goal thriller rounds off Group J as Byron Red Star played host to Ping City Phoenixes in Hornchurch on Sunday with both sides seeking to end the season with momentum. Byron Red Star will have ended as the happier of the sides as they edged the tie in a 5-4 scoreline, moving up to fifth place in the process.

GROUP K

Congratulations go to Athletico City who have picked up their first trophy as a group after they picked up the points that they needed on Sunday against Woodford Green United. City were 3-1 winners in Newbury Park to make it five wins from five, finishing five points clear of the rest in the group.

Royal Lions Reserves will have been pleased with their efforts also in the competition as they finished just three points behind the leaders, aided by victory in their final group game, beating Mansfield Rangers 2-0 in Walthamstow.

And having been winless in their first four games of the group, Epping Forest Falcons will be pleased with the outcome of their remaining game as they edged a close fixture against Thames Ironworks Community Reserves by the odd goal, winning 2-1.