WEEK 1 REVIEW: Round up of the opening day Corinthian action

The new Corinthian football season got underway on Sunday with a 16-match fixture list kicking off the 2018/19 campaign.

PREMIER DIVISION

In the top flight, there were wins for two of the sides making their debut at this level with newly formed, Brook Athletic, edging a thriller in Newbury Park against Barking & Dagenham Wanderers, winning 4-3. Robert Eden scored twice and Alex Leslie once for Wanderers but a George Trussler brace and strikes from Eren Mehmete and Kyle Thompson proved to be just enough to earn their side a victory.

There was also a maiden top flight victory for FC Mexico who made the jump up a division with a degree of ease, seeing off Flanders on Sunday in a 2-0 victory. Goals from each of Rhys Tyrrell and Alex O’Halloran proved sufficient to record an opening day win for the Emerson Park-based outfit.

The early leaders of the Premier Division are Repton Park who made light work of their opening fixture opponents, beating last season’s Division One runners-up, Ultimate Vision, in an 8-2 scoreline. Jayden Ambrose and Jesse Spearing did all the damage with four goals each, cancelling our Vision goals from Jonathan Melia and Ryan Chapman.

In the other match in the top flight, debutants El Valiente travelled to Chadwell Heath to take on last season’s runners-up, Romford Elite, in their first game with the league. An entertaining game eventually level as a late penalty gave Elite a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Sam Edwards got himself a brace for the visitors with Luke Thomas and Tyrone Scarlett scoring for Romford in reply.

DIVISION ONE

SL Menfica have resumed where they left off a couple of years ago as they put in a sterling performance on their return to Corinthian action in beating promoted Chingford Athletic 4-1 in Waltham Abbey. David Hornsby scored twice with accompanied strikes from James Dobson and Kristopher Brown onto the scoresheet rendering a Michael Boahene effort as mere consolation.

Also scoring four goals were Korona Redbridge who had to come from behind against Westferry Elite to pick up their first win of the season. Korona goals from Dawid Pietras, Sebastian Wiklik, Tomasz Cenin and Dawid Smolarek were the difference as they ran out 4-2 victors, cancelling out Elite goals from Aaron Richards and Daniel Stevenson.

Two more of the league’s new sides came head-to-head in Division One where Wanstead Albion made their competitive debut with a home match against the returning Valiant. Tyriquee Soloman scored Albion’s opener but a Tim Mason brace and a Jacen Worboyes effort gave Valiant a 3-1 win and the points on their return to the league.

DIVISION TWO

The sole action from Division Two this weekend came in Chadwell Heath where Goresbrook were looking to build upon a busy and successful season last time out with a match against league debutants, Chicago. Charlie Barrett picked up where he left off with a hat-trick, Ricky Cripps scored twice and one each from Fred Anderson and Thomas Cooney completed a stunning 7-1 win for the hosts.

DIVISION THREE

There were plenty of goals in Division Three at the weekend where E4 Rangers made a sparkling return, netting eight goals without reply away at Roneo Colts. Stuart Griffiths scored a hat-trick and Macauley White a brace to pave the way with Mitchell-Christopher Edmonds, Jimmy Turner and Ben Hodgson also on target with goals in the 8-0 win.

Central Colts made a winning start to life in Division Three following a wonderful season last year. They took on local rivals Dagenham United Reserves and overcame a Thomas Mason goal with a brace from debutant Donovan Reynolds and further goals from Liam Mulcare and Ansel Abrams to win 4-1.

With both sides having positive pre-season campaigns, it was difficult to pick a winner from Sunday’s clash between Masterman and Hornchurch Oakmont in Newbury Park. Alan Liddell grabbed the Masterman goal but Oak strikes from Ellis Marsh and Charlie Woods edged a really tight contest 2-1 as Hornchurch started their season in a positive fashion.

Also securing an opening day victory were Alpha who played host to league debutants West Essex in their match on Sunday at sun-drenched Wanstead Flats. A goal in each half from Ashley Godwin proved decisive and completed a 2-0 win for the hosts who start another season with a good result.

DIVISION FOUR

There were goals aplenty in Division Four on the opening Sunday with Woodford AFC setting out their stool with a comprehensive 11-3 win at home to Oak Royals. With Royals having pulled the game back to 3-2 through goals from Ryan Mitchell (2) and Ross Travers, Woodford put their foot on the gas in the second half with Charlie Saywood netting the small matter of seven goals for his side. A brace from Jake Silk and efforts from Jason Newell and Michael Taylor rounded off the win.

Also making a winning start to the season were Grey Area who made the journey to Woodford to take on Epping Forest Falcons in the opening game of the season. Connor Frost had an opening day to remember, netting four goals in a 7-0 win for his side. Calli Barnard, Sonni Barnard and Jordan Rodway also got on the scoresheet.

It was also an opening day to remember for Newham Athletic who followed up their decent form at the end of last season with a big win to start this one. They took on Custom House Community in the Newham derby and ran out 5-0 winners to go third in the table after the opening round of matches.The Newham goals came from Leon Anderson, Lee Archer, Vinesh Kurup, Wes Scott and Jason Taylor.

Completing the day’s action was an East Ham Inter victory as they played host to debutants, Monkhams, at Wanstead Flats. In a competitive and tight match consisting of just the two goals, Inter strikes from Rayan Bessadi and Sofyan Khalfi edged the match in their sides’ favour to complete a 2-0 opening victory.