WEEK 10 REVIEW: Review of all of the weekend's league and cup action

CORINTHIAN CUP

Liberty Stars have booked their place in the quarter finals of the Corinthian Cup following a 5-2 win Sunday over fellow Premier Division outfit, Quality Control. With the sides sharing four goals in the opening ninety minutes, it took extra time to finally separate the sides as Nana Ayew’s hat-trick carried his side to victory with Moms Ayew and Hans Opoku-Brenya also on target.

Also heading through to the quarter finals are Repton Park who overcame Division One’s challengers Aldborough Hatch in a 5-1 victory. Jayden Ambrose led the way for his side with a hat-trick with Alex O’Neil rounding off the scoring to book a tough home quarter final against Upshire.

TROPHYLAND CUP

Goresbrook had the destiny of their Trophyland Cup tie in their hands on Sunday as the Division Four side led 4-1 early in the second half against Morfdown Elect courtesy of goals from Liam Coney, William Cox, David Trotman and Charlie Barrett. However an inspired second half comeback from Division Two’s Elect saw them over the line with Ricky Barwick taking home the match ball with a hat-trick adding to an Adam Davis double and a single from Gareth Edwards.

In a similarly high-scoring tie between sides two divisions apart, it was Docklands Albion who followed up positive form in the league by seeing off Division Four’s Oak Royals in Walthamstow. Jack Gotobed was on target for the Royals but his effort was made a mere consolation as hat-tricks for each of Ross McWilliams and Tashan Benjamin plus a Jake Kenneally goal secured a home quarter final for Albion.

PREMIER DIVISION

Upshire maintained their lead in the Premier Division on Sunday as they hosted Ainslie Wood at Larsens. Wood goals from Charlie Graham and Eric Kelly were not quite enough as Upshire moved to a 5-2 win and cemented their position at the top of the table.

Downs have moved to second place in the table as they recorded a narrow 2-1 win at Valentines United at the weekend. Christopher Blohm was the man on target for the hosts but a Charlie Parker double made it a good day for Downs who climb up the table.

Picking up a first league victory of the season were Flanders who had goals from Lawal Alhada and Tautuydas Drublionis to thank for a 3-1 victory against Lactico, cancelling out Gozling Jenkins’ goal. The hosts slip to third as a result but only on goal difference with crucial matches to come this month.

DIVISION ONE

Emerson Park were the big climbers in Division One this week with a fantastic 3-1 win against top of the table Chingford Celtic, adding to the continuing excitement of this division. Jack Ironside found the back of the net for Celtics but Park goals from Harry Larner, Ben Woolley and Kyle Paevie were enough to move their side up to fourth in the table.

Moving up to third in the table were Korona Rebridge on Sunday as they produced a five goal performance to beat bottom of the table Dagenham United. Goals from Daniel Siwek, Marcin Ches, Zoltan Rozsa, Konrad Mroczka and Dawid Smolarek confirmed a 5-1 victory for the visitors who remain well and truly in the title hunt.

There was a fourth win of the season for Valley Park in Debden at the weekend where they entertained St Augustines. A goal each for Ransford Davies-King and Alex Windele separated the sides on the day in a 2-0 scoreline with Valley now occupying sixth position in the table.

In a division which guarantees goals, Barking have been involved in a number of incredible scorelines this season and Sunday was no different as they shared eight goals with Barking & Dagenham Wanderers to take home a point each. Bradley Marston notched himself a hat-trick and Kastriot Vata a single for the home side with Sam Coe responding with a hat-trick of his own for the Wanderers and a Daniel John-Baptiste goal completing a match to remember.

DIVISION TWO

A day of twists and turns in Division Two saw three of the top four sides slip to defeat with two unbeaten records also disappearing.

E4 Rangers were the story writers in their match against Park Tavern as they romped to an astonishing 7-2 victory over their stunned opponents. Tim Dye was the hero of the day with a hat-trick but further goals from Mitchell-Christopher Edmonds (2), Sam Predergast and Ashley Mills really rubbed salt into the wounds. Tavern’s goals were accredited to George Nobbs and Kristopher Brown.

Making headlines of their own in Dagenham were Lonsdale who ended the unbeaten record of Waltham Athletic with a quite remarkable 6-5 win in blustery conditions. To say one man deserves the plaudits is an understatement as Anton Gjergji scored five quite splendid goals with Gary Lynch also on target. Waltham tried their best to keep in touch with Thomas Simon, Zachery Leitch and Kevin Butcher all netting but their efforts proved in vain.

DIVISION THREE

Wanstead United opened up a four point gap at the top of Division Three on Sunday with a victory against Alpha at Cave Road. Dominic Crichlon was on target for the visitors but Wanstead strikes from Oron Bristol, Donavan Reynolds and Omari Clarke carried the leaders to a 3-1 win.

Partizan CMC took advantage of others around them not playing to move up to fourth place following a narrow 4-3 win over FC United of Hornchurch. Sean Bellamy and Jack Luck were at the doubles with a pair of goals each as they saw their side to a crucial victory.

Fairlop Rangers moved off of the bottom of the table as they hosted Alliance United at Low Hall and came away with all of the points in a 2-1 victory. That win takes them level with eighth placed FC United of Hornchurch but with a weaker goal difference at this stage.

DIVISION FOUR

SL Menfica made it eight wins from eight games with a hard-worked 3-1 victory over a good quality Hornchurch Oakmont side in Aveley. Thomas Rice’s double helped them to maximum points with Lewis Clark netting the third, rendering Chris Caston’s goal for the visitors as a consolation only.

Epping Forest Falcons are showing great signs of improvement in their second season and move second with a victory by the odd goal, winning 2-1 against Grey Area. Jordan Rodway was the man with Grey’s goal but Richard Noakes and Jamie Lewis were the match-winners for Falcons with their strikes.

Another side showing that perseverance pays off are Central Colts who secured a third league win of the season, beating co-tenants Heathside 2-1 in the Castle Green derby. Jimmy Turner and Ricky Rix both found the back of the net with Aaron Nuet responding with ‘Side’s reply.

COUNTY & CHARITY CUPS

It was a double delight for Corinthian sides in the outside competitions where AC Milano Reserves travelled all the way to south-west London to take on Merton Athletic in the London Sunday Trophy. The West Ham side came away victorious, seeing off their opponents 2-1 to book a third round place at former Corinthian side Sporting Continental (previously FC Continental).

And rounding off the action, in the West Essex Sunday Trophy, it took extra time to separate the sides in the tie involving Esprit and Romford Galaxy but eventually the latter prevailed winning through 4-2 to go into the draw for the quarter final.