WEEK 10 REVIEW: Round-up of all the Corinthian League action from the weekend

TROPHYLAND CUP

A damp squid of a weekend saw the majority of matches fall but those that did manage to beat the elements at least gave us a little bit of light. In the Trophyland Cup, Warren United pulled off their best result of the season to overcome promotion challengers Epping Royals in a 4-0 scoreline. That win sees them into the last sixteen where they await the winners of FC Mexico B or Ridgeway Rovers.

DIVISION ONE

There were three thrillers in Division One, beginning in the game in Dagenham which saw FC Galaxy secure just a second league win of the season, edging a goal-filled battle with Critics in a 5-4 win. Sorin Bargaoanu, Ionut Ciurea, Giovani Paladoiu, Butnaru Daniel and Eduard Bica all scored for the hosts to give them the points rendering two from Kazim Bishop and one apiece from Dylan Florence and Dean Florence as just consolation.

A paltry five goal game saw the St Augustines make the trip over to Loughton to take on promotion hopefuls Theydon Green in their fixture, the Saints putting in a real shift but eventually seeing Green take the points in a 3-2 win. Luke Steele, Harry Carter and Noah Friend all struck to keep their sides just two points off the pace. Aaron Francis and Ed Shepherd-Bowman struck the Saints replies.

And the league’s leaders are Roose who ensured they are top after ten weeks of the season having racked up six wins in six, the latest coming in Hainault on Sunday where they edged a close game with FIFE by the odd goal to win 2-1. Fiston Ndonga struck for FIFE but Roose efforts from Scott O’Connor and Charlie Hawes were just enough to take all three points.

DIVISION TWO

Just the one match survived in Division Two which saw Barking & Dagenham Wanderers extend their lead at the top of five points with a seventh win in eight against East London Harriers at Robert Clack. Deji Akinyemi scored a hat-trick to lead the way for his side, Alex Leslie scoring two and Luke Read netting the other in a 6-0 success.

DIVISION FOUR

Division Four saw a heap of goals with Warren Senior the biggest winners in the division with a 6-2 home success as they beat Eastern Avenue at Westlands in a 6-2 scoreline. Lewis Gardiner was in fine fettle in front of goal, scoring a hat-trick, Scott McGlynn scored two and Anthony Cooke one to make it a winning outing for the new league leaders.

There was a six goal thriller in Hainault as Romford Athletic Dons and Byron Red Star went toe to toe in a closely fought battle in tough conditions. In the end the teams had to settle for a share of the spoils in a 3-3 draw as Adam Turner, Billy Pearmain and Jordan Hart all struck for the Dons to secure them a point.

DIVISION FIVE

Things are looking interesting at the top end of Division Five where Royal Lions B took advantage of other sides being out of action to move within three points of the leaders having come through with three points against Ultimate Vision Reserves. Leading at the break, they extended their lead to three midway through the second half and held off a Vision fightback to win 3-1.

Just through the hedge at Fairlop Oak, Debden Sports A’s trip to Mayfield Kings saw the visitors start the game six points adrift from Kings but by full-time, they had slashed that to three with a terrific 5-3 win giving them the points. Brendan Anamole, Aman Gill, Neel Patel and Alex Williams all scored for Sports with two Younes Ferhani efforts and a Kelson Toms on the scoresheet for Kings.

COUNTY CUP

Just two of the scheduled Essex Sunday Premier Cup ties survived the elements but both saw Corinthian sides progress with Brook Athletic taking on one of our former member clubs, FC United of Hornchurch, with Brook prevailing after extra-time in a 4-2 scoreline.

Over in Hainault, the league’s leaders, Manford Way, had a home clash with one of Division One’s elite sides, Gants Hill. The game was certainly a competitive one with Manford taking a lead before Gants Hill levelled shortly after. But a late penalty gave Manford Way a 2-1 win that took them through to the third round.