WEEK 1 REVIEW: Round-up of all the Corinthian action from the opening weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

The new Corinthian League football season got underway on Sunday and there is a new name leading the way after week one as Manford Way's first outing in the competition saw them take on FC Ballr at Castle Green. Reece Simpson and Jonathan Ogunsanya both netted braces for Manford with an Archie Hammond goal finishing finds off to win 5-2, despite Adebola Sotoyinbo and Callum Thompson goals for the hosts.

DIVISION ONE

There were two highly entertaining fixtures in Division One where FC Galaxy's elevation to the second tier saw them run out incredible 8-5 winners against Repton Park in Loughton to put them top of the table. Mihai Mareniuc scored two with Alexandru Demidov, Mihalache Dumitru, Butnaru Daniel, Alexandru Saru, Mihai Gherasim and Giovani-Ionut Paladoiu all find the back of the net.

Just a few yards away, the goals were taking a pounding in the day's other Division One clash where Critics made their debut in the competition with a trip to promoted Total Football, the sides also meeting at Roding Valley. Two Carl Parsons goals and a Nile Painter effort accounted for the Total efforts but Critics responses from Kazim Bishop, Dean Florence and Afolabi Obafemi saw the sides finish level at 3-3.

DIVISION TWO

League debutants Cloud 9 will be on exactly that after week one of their maiden campaign, the aptly named side putting in a bright and breezy performance to beat Barking 7-0 at Barking Abbey School. Jake Griffin scored hat-trick with Elliot Hastings, Heavenly Bende, Trevor Kabuchu and Daniel Bright also notching to put themselves top after their first game.

Trailing on goal difference are a new look Barking & Dagenham Wanderers side who made a winning start themselves to the new season, defeating promoted Debden Sports Reserves 5-2 at Robert Clack School. Will Osmond tucked away a trademark brace but a trio of "Luke" Wanderers goals from Lukes Read, Sargent and Maskell supplemented goals from Dwayne Francis-Riley and Deji Akinyemi to give their side the points.

It was also a winning start for Newbury Forest as their first outing in the competition saw them on familiar territory as they travelled to Inside Success on Sunday at Oakside. Forest were able to pick up a 3-1 win on the day against promoted Inside to ensure they sit third in the standings after gameweek one.

The division's other game came from South Ockendon where hosts East London Harriers had a tough looking opening fixture against last season's cup finalists, AC Milano. But neither side were able to trouble the defences with a rare goalless draw proving to be the outcome as the sides settled for a point apiece.

DIVISION THREE

Singh Sabha Barking continued their form from last season into the start of this as they ensured themselves of a winning start to life in Division Three having defeated FC Mexico B in a 3-0 scoreline in Newbury Park. Goals from Matthew Vasu, Victor Ferrini and Jordan Hamilton done the damage to put three points on the board in week one.

A five goal thriller ensued in the game over in Dagenham where Alpha were the visitors to take on Valence United on the opening day. Josh Russell and Charlie Fiander both notched for the hosts but Alpha goals in reply from Daniel Crowie, David Oni and Stefan Kilron ensured they took the points to give them a winning start to the season.

The final game from Division Three saw two of last seasons rivals go head-to-head straight away as newly promoted sides Ainslie and United Amateurs pitted their wits once more. United goals from Amadu Jalloh and Patrick Wright were enough on the day as United Amateurs overcome Ainslie in a 2-1 scoreline to make a winning start.

DIVISION FOUR

There were plenty of goals in Division Four and in the meeting between two new sides to the league, Warren Senior had to come from a goal behind early on against Horse & Well to secure the points. Frankie Boland's double and efforts from Austin Cunningham and Scott McGlynn overcame that Tom Ratican goal for the the hosts over in Debden, the game finishing 4-1. 

At Forest Row, a strong first half performance from Belfry Reserves gave them a winning start following promotion with Ryan O'Connell scoring twice and Luke Moore once as they saw off the efforts of Ace Athletics in a 4-0 scoreline, despite a valiant second half response from the visitors. 

Chris Ratty was back in the goals once again for Romford Athletic Dons as last season's cup finalists faced a trip to Hornchurch in week one of the season, taking on promoted Byron Red Star. Adrian John struck for the hosts but a Ratty double and a Tom Mitchell strike settled the game 3-1 and sent the points home with the Dons.

Two more of the division's new sides this season, City Site and Brymans Park, went head-to-head in their opening game of the campaign and they produced a five goal thriller in Collier Row where Shane Taylor and Matthew Newman goals for Park proved not quite enough as Billy Cole, Joe Curmi and Harry Watkins strikes gave City their maiden win.

DIVISION FIVE

The early leaders in Division Five are Ultimate Vision Reserves who came out on the right side of a ten-goal battle in Debden, defeating Debden Sports A 6-4 to take home the points. Nicholas Wilson, Brendan Anamole, Aman Gill and Dylan Panton all struck for Sports but their efforts ultimately proved in vain.

There was just the seven goals at Castle Green as Lonsdale's first game back at the venue saw them entertain promoted Mansfield Rangers in a cracking game in Dagenham. Billy Happe netted a hat-trick for Rangers with Claudius Edwards' effort taking them over the line in a 4-3, despite Lonsdale goals from Kalium Fletcher, Antoine Milla and Dillon Mohammed.

Colebrook Royals Reserves' first outing following elevation will have pleased the manager as they defeated Mayfield Kings in a 2-0 scoreline to take all three points on the day. Kamran Latif and Dylan Fagan were the men on target for the Royals as they opened their points account for the new season.

The division's final game came from Barking Park where Dagenham Rangers were the hosts to a Royal Lions B side, both sides keen to make a positive start to the new season. A close game was eventually won by the visitors as Lions ran out 3-1 victors to ensure they took home maximum points.

DIVISION SIX

Valence United Reserves put down their marker in the very first game of the new season as the side came through in a 7-2 success on Sunday, defeating Warren United 7-2 in Dagenham to go top after week one. Two goals from Billy Biggs and Jo Megege done the damage with Krystus Coleman, Keenan Mitchell and Ruben Carvalho efforts handing them the win.

The early Epping derby match saw Epping Forest Falcons come away with the honours as they beat Epping Royals at Stonards Hill in a 4-2 scoreline to go second in the standings. Louie Brownlie and Darren Winter both notched for the Royals but their efforts were not quite enough as Falcons took the points.

It was a winning start for Zone 4 Athletic too who are third after the first round of fixtures as they defeated Ping City Phoenixes at Redbridge Sports Centre in a close game. Jake Sweetman and Fraser Clayson were the scorers for Zone 4 as they won 2-0 to make it a victorious start to their new campaign in the league.

Two five goal thrillers round off the day's action with London Legacy opening up their new season with all three points with a hard fought 3-2 success against Ridgeway Rovers. Tyler York's first half strike and second half goals from Franklyn Akinpelu and Vince Crosdale proved just enough with Lewis Marshall and Jahed Akthar on the scoresheet for Rovers in consolation.