WEEK 15 REVIEW: Round-up of Sunday's league and cup action

TROPHYLAND CUP

Dagenham United became the latest side to book their place in the quarter finals of the Trophyland Cup, meaning they will be involved in all three cups still going into 2019, having seen off Alpha on Sunday in their latest encounter. Gary Adams scored twice with Connor Kain, Garry Shea, Joshua Perry, Sean Thomas, Aaron Nuet and Ricardo Teixeira all scoring too to round off a stunning 8-0 victory.

PREMIER DIVISION

There was much movement at the top end of the Premier Division on Sunday as Romford Elite leap-frogged above El Valiente into second place, aided by a comfortable 3-0 home win at the weekend against FC Mexico. There was a goal each from Chris Bird, Joshua Thompson and Tyrone Scarlett, rounding off their year in style.

Also making their move up the table, Warren United, will be happy with their morning’s work as they returned home with all three points from their trip to East Ham to face fellow high-flying El Valiente. Sam Edwards scored twice and Michael Begg once for the hosts but James Peagram’s brace in reply plus efforts from Marti Farmer, Fred Anderson and Bobby Wise secured an important win.

The remaining game in the top flight saw a mid-table clash between two sides who have had solid first halves to their seasons with Barking & Dagenham Wanderers hosting Flanders in Newbury Park. There wasn’t much between these sides with each scoring once in a 1-1 draw to take a share of the spoils on the day. Rob Teppett was the man on target for Wanderers.

DIVISION ONE

The Division One league leaders, Chingford Athletic, will be in the promotion places over the festive period but were held to an unlikely draw as they visited an improving Wanstead Albion side at the Flats on Sunday. Tom Pearce got on the Chingford scoresheet but Tyriquee Soloman’s form in front of goal continued and his effort meant they shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

Ridgeway Rovers are gearing up for a big second half of the season and maintain their excellent credentials for promotion after edging a five goal thriller against Valentine United. Jonathan Day and Charlie Fiander grabbed the United goals but they proved in vain as Rovers ran in three goals of their own to make it six wins from nine matches so far this term.

The third fixture of the day in this division saw the Hainault derby settled by the odd goal in three with Valiant coming out on top in a close game with Korona Redbridge. Tomasz Cenin got on the scoresheet for Redbridge but visitor goals from Wayne Plowman and Frankie Worboyes carried their side to a morale boosting 2-1 victory.

DIVISION TWO

In Division Two, FC Kulture Klub remain top of the pile and will hope to do so into the festive break as they made it seven wins from their eleven matches so far this season with a home win on Sunday over Lonsdale. A goal each from Gerhard Krasniqi, Fabio Nunes and Marcus Castano were the difference on the day to earn a 3-1 win.

There were wins for each of the third and fourth placed sides as Barking consolidated third place, moving level on points with the second placed side as they beat Walthamstow Avenue 4-0 in Leyton. Michael O’Brien done the majority of the damage with a hat-trick with Ben King’s goal completed the win for the visitors.

Royal Albert are having a season to remember so far, continuing their fight on all fronts with a big home win against Bretons Manor, the latest of their string of victories. David Kilminster got the Manor goal but that was mere consolation as Albert responded with hat-tricks from each of Shane Wallace and Justin Parkinson plus a Sam Turpin goal as well in a 7-1 win.

There was a terrific performance from London Fire Brigade as they took on Goresbrook in a very important game for both sides at the bottom end of the table. Jeff Harrison and David Moore both scored twice for Fire with Yomi Popoola and Richard Kirby goals completed a stunning 6-0 win for the visitors to jump up two places in the table to seventh.

DIVISION THREE

There was just a single game in Division Three but it was a big one as first played second, Central Colts looking to extend their unbeaten record against an in-form Thames Ironworks Community side. The gap between those two sides is now down to four points to set up an intruiging second half of the season. Jeffrey Nketia scored twice and Stanley Fabowale got on the scoresheet too as Thames ran out 3-0 victors, ending Colts’ long unbeaten start.

DIVISION FOUR

Newham Athletic are now six points clear of the rest in Division Four as they earned themselves maximum points from their trip to fellow Newham based Thames Ironworks Community Reserves. Benjamin Jeffrey scored for Thames but a goal apiece from Athletic’s Christopher Brigitte, Kane Greene and James Farmer completed a 3-1 for the title chasers.

That gap at the top was widened as a result of a defeat for second-placed Woodford who were stunned at home against mid-table AC Milano Reserves. Jake Silk is in good form for Woodford and he netted once again. But his efforts were mere consolation as AC ran in two goals of their own to edge this contest 2-1, moving up a couple of places to seventh in the standings.

Third placed Grey Area are now just two points off the promotion places as they confirmed a seventh league win of the season on Sunday with a home win over Alliance United at their East Ham base. Harry Smith’s goal for United kept them involved in the match but Grey scored twice of their own to win it 2-1 and consolidate their position in the table.

The day’s final game was a classic as Custom House Community were the visitors to Wanstead Flats to face a strong East Ham Inter side. The two sides conjured up an eight-goal thriller between them which eventually finished level at 4-4 to take home a share of the spoils. Sofyan Khalfi, Sami Bessadi, Delphin Xavier and Adam Bessadi all got on the Inter scoresheet to earn a point for their team.