WEEK 2 REVIEW: Round-up of all the Corinthian League action from the weekend

SENIOR DIVISION

East London Ballers have moved three points clear at the top of the Senior Division standings after the first two weeks of the season, earning a second win with a 3-1 success against Club 1017. Derek Asamoah, Salim Nassor and Jesse Eyike goals set them on their way, overcoming Andrew Musungu’s goal from the hosts who sit third.

The reigning champions, Baiteze Squad, had a difficult opening performance of the season as they took on old rivals Brook Athletic at the Marshes in defence of their title. Despite an opening day reverse of some proportions, Brook were in better form this time around and recorded a 2-0 victory against the champions as Ayub Kadiri struck twice to take the points for his side.

Over at Parsloes Park, it was a first competitive runout of the season for former champions Hatch Lane who were at home against promoted AC Milano. A goal in each half for Hatch set them on the path to an opening win as Charles Gregory and then Tremayne Coley strikes make it a 2-0 success and all three points.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, it’s a three-way lead at the top with Roose ahead on goal difference after the weekend’s results, earning themselves a big win against UK Moldova. Afolabi Soyemi-Ololade scored a hat-trick, Kane Hearn and James Runham scored twice, Shaye McKenzie La Rose, David Owiredu and Jack O’Connor netting too in a 10-2 win.

Sitting second on goal difference are Barking Riverside who also remain unbeaten after two games, earning their first win of the season with a 4-0 away victory against JK Silvertown. Micah Angel scored twice with Steven McCormick and Ryan Gardiner goals completing the scoresheet for their side.

Down in third place, it’s promoted Debden Sports Reserves who will be pleased with their start, coming out on the right side of a ten-goal thriller at Chigwell Lane against Benchviews. Two Bobby Rusbridge strikes plus goals from Melvin Dada and Eli Benoit accounted for the visitors’ goals but braces from Archie Hammond and Will Osmond for Sports, plus goals from Charlie Thomas and Billy Barr ended it 6-4.

It was also a victorious morning for Repton Park who had a local derby in their first game of the season, travelling to Colebrook Royals Seniors and returning back to Loughton with all three points in a 7-1 success. Alex O’Neil scored a hat-trick, Jayden Ambrose scored two with George Pummell and Harry Carter netting the others for their team.

Over in Newbury Park, it was a case of de ja vu for St Augustines who repeated their opening day result of sharing the spoils in a 2-2 draw, this time with Total Football being the opposition. Mahnu Bhabutta and Thomas Lowe struck with the Total goals following their return to this level as they opened their new season with a point on the road.

DIVISION TWO

The early season leader in Division Two are promoted Upshire Forest who have made the leap up with ease so far and head the table on goal difference following a 5-0 home win against Barking & Dagenham Wanderers at Town Mead. Blake Rogers, Jay Digance, Daniel Roult, Leighton Hughes-Franklin and Costi-Marian Carsoi were all on the scoresheet to make two wins from two.

It’s also been a good start to the season for FC Galaxy who after a mid-table finish last year will be hoping to push on. They were up against a Daglanta side this weekend and it was the hosts who walked away with the points, Galaxy winning 5-0 at Castle Green as Mihai Mareniuc struck twice with Mihalache Dumitru, Tatian Radu and Daniel Buda goals rounding it off.

Over in Newbury Park, AC Milano Reserves’ first outing of the new season following promotion saw them up against newly established East London Ballers Under 23s side at Fords. Melvine Boni got on the scoresheet for Ballers with their first ever competitive goal but it proved not quite enough as Milano struck three themselves to win the game 3-1.

DIVISION THREE

The early leaders in Division Three are Woodford Town Reserves and they made it two wins from two, moving three points clear of the chasing pack following a closely fought 3-2 home win against Warren Senior at Whitbreads. Frankie Boland and Jack Glenister both scored for Warren but they remain in search of their first points.

There was a first win of the new season for Ainslie who bounced back in stunning fashion from their opening day reverse to take all three points this week, defeating Colebrook Royals Reserves 4-2 in Loughton. William Hunt, Ryan Radley, Sidikie Marah and Eric Kelly all found the back of the net, overcoming Royals goals from Brandon Fulton and Oliver Rush.

Also securing a first win were United Amateurs who started their season with all three points in Division Three, edging their way to a hard-fought 2-1 away win against Romford Town Flyers at Westlands. Alaa Cheaaibi netted for Flyers but United goals from Thomas Chawner and Amadu Jalloh turned the tide in their favour to net all three points.

DIVISION FOUR

Debden Sports A started their Division Four season in some goal scoring form with a thumping win against Barking. Morli Bangura scored two and Ibrahim Adegbite one for the short-manned Blues. Sports took full advantage with George Scott and Elliot Betts netting four each, Oscar Simmons bagged a hat-trick with Jack Sawdon, Benjamin Fletcher and Luke Coppen scoring two each in a 20-3 scoreline.

Manford Way’s first outing of the new season following their title last year saw them with an away day across to Dagenham where they were up against Cardinals Athletic at Castle Green. Callum Owen and Kieran Moynihan both scored twice for Manford as they recorded a 4-0 win and their first win of the new campaign.

Another promoted side making light work of their elevation into the fifth tier were Coppice Row who were up against an Eastern Avenue side in both sides’ first league games of the season. It was victory for Coppice on the day as Tobi Omotosho, Stefano Muis and Amadou Diallo all found the back of the net in a 3-1 success.

DIVISION FIVE

Chingford Athletic have made a sparkling start to the season in Division Five this season following promotion last term, taking all three points against Alpha on Sunday with a 7-0 win in Barkingside. Darryl Wilson and Kwame Woodley both scored twice with David Donaghue and George Sanderson netting the other to make it two wins from two.

Also with a pair of wins in the first two weekends are Athletic Newham who followed up their last gasp victory last week with another 3-2 success this time out, defeating Young Royals 3-2 over in Hornchurch. Karl Brolly, Obiwanne Ngwu and Ronnie Wilson were the Newham scorers to double their points tally for the season.

It was an opening game win for third placed Valence United B who were in home action in their first outing, taking on Lonsdale at May & Baker. Kalium Fletcher and Charlie Owen both scored for the visitors but those efforts proved in vain as Elliott Gerald, Wasim Lawal, Ryan Knight and Krystus Coleman all netted in a 4-2 win for Valence.

Also in action in Dagenham were May & Baker EC who earned their first point of the season on Sunday following a score draw against visitors Epping Town, themselves also taking a first point. The game ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Billy Norris and Shane Hovell efforts equalled by Town goals from Joseph Bothwell and Fraser McCarthy.

Completing the action from the division, Romford Rovers’ second home game saw them play host to a Legacy City side at Ongar Sports Club and the game saw two well matched sides earn a point apiece in a 1-1 final scoreline. Georgi Meloyan struck with the visitors’ goal for City while Owen Flindall netted for Rovers to earn their first point of the season.

DIVISION SIX

In Division Six, the early season honours go to Ping City Phoenixes who sit top with maximum points after two games, adding a 7-3 derby victory against Ace Athletics to their opening day win last time out. Jack Flood flowed in with four goals, Liam Grant, William Salter and Phil Herman netting the others for Ping while Charlie Land, Paul Bergamini and Louie Seaman struck for Ace.

Trailing by a solitary goal in the division, Newbury Drive have made a good start to the season also and are second after a pair of opening wins, this time recording a 3-1 win in Barkingside, defeating FC Mexico on Sunday. Michell Edmonds scored two and Henry Wood once to double Drive’s points tally for the season so far.

Also picking up a first win for the year were London Legacy who bounced back from their opening day reverse to record all three points, beating rivals Inter Newbury in a 6-1 scoreline at Parsloes Park. Lucas Tavares netted two with Walid Benmouna, Shamarl Dixon, Vince Crosdale and Jevonte Small scoring the others for their side.

Over at Chigwell Lane, it was victory for promoted Debden Sports B this weekend as they also reversed their fortunes from last weekend to take a win at home against JK Silvertown Reserves on their competitive debut. Rhys Clements score two of the Debden goals to help them win the game 4-1 and jump up into fifth spot.

DIVISION SEVEN

In Division Seven, the early leaders after their opening win are Warren United who made a strong start to the new season following a thumping 7-0 win away at Zone 4 Athletic in Newbury Park. Joe and Oliver Regan were both in goal scoring form, netting two each, Zain Kokab netted two for himself and Patrick Kalonda’s effort completed the scoresheet.

After last weekend’s opening day disappointment, it was all smiles this weekend for Valence United C who earned their first win as a team with a 4-0 home victory against United Amateurs Reserves at Barking Park. Keenan Mitchell scored twice with Jamie Wooster and Liam Sullivan adding the others to confirm a three point haul.

There was an incredible game at Old Dagenham Park where Romford Bullsharks raced into a three goal lead on their competitive debut against Gatcliffe with Jack Newins, Ronnie Pemble and George Creedon all scoring. But a fightback from the hosts saw Gatcliffe leave with a point in a 3-3 draw as Tom Brown, Ben North and Nico Bunduku goals complete a memorable comeback.