CUP REPORT: Round-up of the opening League Cup and county cup action

The Corinthian League competitive action returned at the weekend with opening round of action across all eleven League Cup groups and success too for our sides in the county cup competitions. Of course, the weekend was one tinged with sadness following the passing of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh and we were pleased to see so many of our clubs celebrate his life with a minute’s silence.

GROUP A

The early leaders in Group A of the competition are El Valiente as they faced a trip to Newbury Park to take on London Mavericks. Sam Edwards was in goal scoring form with a brace for his side as Aaron Marston also netted to help El Valiente win the tie 3-1 and secure maximum points.

Sitting just a goal behind the leaders are Baiteze Squad who were at Mayesbrook Park to face Secret in a tie of huge interest to check on the progress of both teams. In a seven goal thriller, it was Baiteze who came through as winners with Sam Jeremiah netting twice and Callum Ibe once. Tom Harvey (2) and Eden Nelson were the Secret scorers in reply in an eventual 4-3 scoreline.

Over in East Ham, there was an east London derby match as Flanders played host to East Way Athletic in another game settled by the odd goal. On this occasion it was Flanders who benefitted from that narrow advantage as they completed a 3-2 win on the day, moving third in the early standings.

GROUP B

In Group B, Kulture Klub have set their stall out early and top the group on the back of a solid opening win as they returned home victorious from Barkingside having beaten higher league opposition, Warren United, in a 2-0 scoreline. Junior Opoku and Oliver Modeste scored the all important goals to help their side to the win.

Just behind the leaders in the group are Repton Park who made a winning start to their run in the competition as they overcame one of the season’s top performers in Brook Athletic. Shaidan Haye and Brandon Martin both scored for Brook but a goal apiece from Charlie Henry, Jayden Ambrose and Jesse Spearing gave Park a 3-2 win.

GROUP C

Panda put a difficult season to back of their minds as they sprung back to action with a big win away at Barking & Dagenham Wanderers in Dagenham on Sunday. Ihsan Saeed scored twice and Munashe Mudimu once as they moved top of the group on the back of a 3-0 opening victory.

Also starting in a great fashion were Ultimate Vision who opened their points account in the group with a solid 3-1 win away against Barking Riverside. Ryan Chapman was in stunning form and scored all three goals for his side to help them to the win.

The final game in the group saw Central Colts on the road with a trip to East Ham to take on Gants Hill and the sides were well matched as they came out level at ninety minutes in a 1-1 draw. That sees both sides occupy the third and fourth places in the group after the first round of fixtures.

GROUP D

There were some big wins in Group D where Abridge Village put in a top performance to come away as 4-1 winners against one of the season’s best performers, FC Galaxy. Adrian Pop scored for the hosts but Abridge goals from Jake Clarke, Reece Clarke, Tosin Olodo and Ethan Porte were enough to secure the win.

Also rattling in a four goal performance, Hornchurch Oakmont sit second in the group after week one as they earned themselves a 4-2 victory against AC Milano in Chadwell Heath. Tom Gibson scored two with James Bailey and George Terry goals wrapping up a good win for Oak.

Completing the trio of victors in the group are Valentine United who had a good battle with Roose and were able to edge a close contest by the odd goal, winning 2-1. Darren Reid and Jake Fenton goals were enough to overcome a Charlie Hawes effort for Roose.

GROUP E

Thames Ironworks Community have had a strong campaign and got back to action with a thumping victory in Group E where they took all three points against Korona Redbridge in Beckton. Benjamin Jeffrey scored a hat-trick and braces from Harry Jones and Jason Branche rounded off a big 7-0 win for the east London outfit.

Goals were also flying in up in Waltham Abbey where Chingford Athletic’s A side were in fine fettle against St Augustines at Town Mead. Jordan Charles got himself on the scoresheet for the Saints but his efforts were in vain as Chingford won comfortably, 6-1.

There were another seven goals in local derby clash between Emerson Park and FC Mexico A in a tie which was settled by the odd goal, in favour of Park on this occasion. Serghei Scupoi, Danny Smith and Oliver Wright all struck for the Mexicans but a Joe Scott hat-trick and Harry Culham effort gave the 4-3 win to the hosts.

GROUP F

Eastbrook United extended their terrific league form this season into the start of the League Cup competition and confirmed a 3-1 opening win on Sunday against Bretons Manor. Perry Whatling scored the Manor goal but Brook strikes from Callum Harris, Sameer Mohamed and Junia Charlton were enough for their side to top the group.

Just behind the leaders on goals scored are Roneo Colts who had an away trip to Hainault to face FC Mexico B in their opening group game and came away as 2-0 winners against an in-form side. Substitutes Kane White and Chris Crowe came off the bench to settle the game with their goals confirming a Colts victory.

The groups remaining game came from Newbury Park where Alpha were in action up against a local side, Frenford, a game which proved very tight. Nicholas Muir scored for the hosts but Frenford also scored one of their own as the two sides settled for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw.

GROUP G

Ainslie were in fine goal scoring form on Sunday with a terrific 7-1 win on the road away at Jaffna in Barkingside. Rajivan Kanthasamy scored for the hosts but Ainslie scored regularly themselves to make a great start to their cup campaign.

Theydon Green will be hoping to carry a threat in the competition and they started in good form with a big home win over Upshire Forest in Loughton. Two goals apiece from Josh Steele and George Johnson did the damage on the day to assist Green towards a 4-0 opening victory.

Just a little further along Roding Road, Monkhams were in home action in their first game of the competition and saw the visit of Total Football in a Loughton derby game. Mahnu Bhabutta and Jonathan Bluff both got on the Total scoresheet as their side earned a 2-0 win and local bragging rights.

GROUP H

Things couldn’t be much closer in Group H at the top with just a goal keeping separating the top two, United Amateurs leading the way after a 6-2 home win against Chingford Athletic Reserves. Jack Chawner and Alfie Bangs both scored twice, Luke Howell and Mohamed Mansaray goals confirming the victory for the hosts.

Just behind the leaders are Titans United who picked up a big win of their own with a 5-1 victory against Young Royals in Dagenham. Ginojan Jesurajah scored for the visitors but his efforts weren’t quite enough as United put in a “Titan”-ic performance to win the game.

The trio of opening day winning clubs in the group is completed by Leytonstone Athletic who secured a first win in the group with a solid 3-1 home win against Romford Athletic Dons. Harry Burton scored twice and Dominic Crichlow once for Athletic, Sean Hewitt rattling in the Dons’ consolation.

GROUP I

It was an aptly Royal performance from Royal Lions on Sunday who secured top spot in the group on the back of a big home win against Valence United in East Ham. Randy Adele scored a hat-trick with David Olodude, Darren Smith-Wellington and Kasbon Tokenge scoring the others in a 6-1 scoreline.

And it was a topsy-turvy game in Newbury Park for Singh Sabha Barking and Custom House Community as SS ran into an early 2-0 lead but saw that evaporate as Custom House came back to lead 3-2. Two late goals from SS took the points though as they won 4-3, Daniel Adasonla scoring twice plus one each from Jordan Hamilton and Jag Rathore.

GROUP J

Colebrook Royals Vets made a great start to their Group J campaign as Joe Cole’s two goals helped his side towards a 7-2 win against Ping City Phoenixes. Paul Noonan, Steve Summers, Ben Sitki, Jason Richardson and Ned Ozkasim also scored for the Royals as they go top after the first round of games.

Sitting in second on goal difference in the group are East Tilbury Town faced a trip to Epping to take on Epping Royals on Sunday and returned with the points in a 2-0 victory. Jo Megege and Bobby Rusbridge made the difference with a goal each to give their side the win.

The final game in the group came from Hylands Park where hosts Byron Red Star saw the visit of Barking Reserves with the sides combining for a closely fought tie. Adrian John got on the scoresheet for the Byron but Ethan Javier also found the back of the net for Barking to see the sides draw 1-1 and earn a point each on the opening day.

GROUP K

Athletico City head up the early group action in Group K after they scooped a 4-1 home win against Epping Forest Falcons on Sunday. A brace apiece from Curtis Taylor and Heman Gopeenauth were enough in the end for City who top the group on goal difference.

Sitting just behind the leaders are Royal Lions Reserves who overcame a fight back from Woodford Green United to earn a closely fought 4-3 win in East Ham. Jamaal Khodabaccus, Jason Tokenge, Emmanuel Ejembi and Jai Cheung scored the goals for the hosts and those efforts proved just enough on the day to take the points.

It was a good morning’s work for Thames Ironworks Community Reserves who made it a double for the club with a close 3-2 win against Mansfield Rangers. Kempson Allen and Jay Kanber both scored for Rangers but Thames edged the tie with two Lee Mpensah efforts and a Momoh Vandy goal which confirmed maximum points.

COUNTY CUP

It was an all Corinthian battle in the third round of the London Sunday Challenge Trophy at the weekend where FC Ballr made the trip to east London to take on fellow Premier Division side, Asianos. FC Ballr ended the day the happier of the sides as they ran out 2-1 victors to book their place in the next round.

In the London Sunday Junior Cup competition, Hatch Lane continued their efforts in the competition with a comfortable looking 4-0 home win as they secured safe passage against north west London based NLO, booking a fourth round spot in the process.