WEEK 23 REVIEW: Round-up of all the league and cup action from the weekend

SENIOR CUP – GROUP STAGE

A weekend which will be remembered mostly for the effects of Storm Eunice saw El Valiente breeze through into the quarter finals of the Senior Division Cup competition as their group stage efforts were rounded off with a 4-2 win against Avintul. That saw the top-flight side make it seven points from nine and ensure at least second place in the group.

DIVISION TWO CUP

In the day’s Division Two Cup quarter-final action, the third side in the semi-final was confirmed as Royal Lions A produced a winning performance in South Ockendon to defeat East London Harriers in a 3-0 victory. Kasbon Tokenge scored twice and Kuene Fernandes once to see the Hainault side through to next month’s semi finals.

DIVISION THREE CUP

There was further quarter final action in the Division Three Cup competition which saw Leytonstone Athletic make the trip to close rivals Alpha with the two sides battling for a place in the last four. It was to be Leytonstone’s day as they netted themselves a 3-1 win with Andre Rashford scoring twice for his side to book a trip to Upshire Forest next month.

DIVISION FOUR CUP

In the Division Four Cup quarter final completed, another last four line-up was finalised as two sides, Ultimate Vision Reserves and Blackwall Rovers, battled their way to a 3-3 draw by full time over in Dagenham. It was Rovers who then held their nerve to win the shootout 7-6, placing them in a semi final against Romford Athletic Dons in a few weeks.

DIVISION FIVE CUP

There was first round action in the Division Five Cup which saw the two home sides progress on. Valence United were the first of those, picking up a 5-1 win in Dagenham against Ultimate Vision A. Josh Russell scored twice with David Dell, Aaron Leggett and Rowan Newland scoring the others to send them through, despite a Max Brett strike for Vision.

The day’s other tie was played over in Hainault where Royal Lions B were in action at home to Dagenham Rangers with a place in the last eight at stake for the victors. It was the home side who once again prevailed, earning a narrow 2-1 win over Rangers to see them safely through where they now face up to Colebrook Royals Vets in the last four.

DIVISION SIX CUP

Sunday’s Division Six Cup quarter final action saw just the one game survive the elements as Epping Royals booked their place in the last four with a 3-1 win against London Legacy. Daniel Booker, Joseph Bothwell and James Smith-Pryor all got on the scoresheet, rendering Lucas Tavares’ goal as just a consolation for the visitors as Royals went through to the semi finals in a couple of weeks.

SENIOR DIVISION

There was just the one top flight game on Sunday owing to cup football but it did see one important game take place towards the top of the standings as FC Ballr were able to move into second place in the table following a win against fourth placed East Way Athletic. A hard fought 2-1 FC Ballr win was secured through a brace from Timothy Ogunrinde, securing his side a ninth league win of the season.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, Theydon Green have extended their lead at the top to six points following a big home win against Emerson Park over in Loughton, winning the game 7-1 to set them up nicely for their county cup semi final. Two apiece from George Johnson and Harry Carter led the way while Joseph Jessop, Ben Brookes and Ben Harris efforts all rounded off a good Green win.

The division’s other fixture came from Parsloes Park where Barking were the hosts to a Chingford Athletic side who started the game just five points ahead of them in the standings. But that was extended to eight by full-time as Athletic returned home with a 4-0 win under their belts, despite still being level at 0-0 at the break.

DIVISION TWO

Two sides locked in mid-table went head-to-head in Barking on Sunday as Total Football looked to follow up their impressive cup win last time out with a result against fourth placed Eastbrook United. Starting the game just a point appoint, they remained that way by full-time as the game ended 2-2. Robert Pearce and Berty Frith netted for United with Aaron Dadziue and Chris Atkinson responding for Total.

DIVISION THREE

Debden Sports Reserves moved to within a point of the summit in Division Three on Sunday as they picked up a big win against Imperial Row to take their wins tally to eight. Sports were 6-0 winners as Charlie Harper netted a hat-trick, Alfie Harris, Jack Harris and Callum Thomas finishing things off to keep their side well in the mix.

Lurking just outside the promotion places but with games in hand in their favour are Upshire Forest who continued their own assault on the title with a big home win against Dagenham Town at Town Mead. A goal apiece from Callum Gater, Aaron Rich, Luke Robinson, Rhys Thurgood and Daniel Roult were enough on the day to win the game 5-1.

DIVISION FOUR

It’s as you were at the summit of Division Four where leaders Singh Sabha Barking returned to winning ways with a home victory against Ace Athletics over in Newbury Park, winning the game 3-1. Craig Cagehin struck for the visitors but Barking goals from Sebastian Osei-Obengo, Oluwatobi Adekunle and Indervir Virdi were the difference to help the leaders stay clear at the top.

Second placed United Amateurs remain in touch at the top and will hope to secure promotion, aided by their comprehensive win on Sunday as they defeated Raphael Park Rovers in a 13-1 scoreline in Hainault. Bradley Bennett scored five and Billy Biggs a hat-trick to do the majority of the damage with goals from Thomas Chawner, Aldair Doci, Luke Howell, Jack Chawner and Abraham Ladoja finishing things off. James Dixon struck the Rovers goal in reply.

Not to be outdone, Romford Athletic Dons also struck double figures themselves in a big result affecting both ends of the table, following up their cup win with an 11-1 success against Chingford Athletic Reserves in Waltham Abbey. Scott Buckland’s four goal haul and a Chris Ratty hat-trick led the way, Tom Mitchell scored twice with Courtney Butler and Shane Hovell goals completing things.

After a slow start to the season, Lonsdale are really kicking into gear now and put themselves into a comfortable position in seventh spot following a 6-3 home win against Titans United on Sunday. Oliver Dingli scored twice for the hosts, adding to goals from Kalium Fletcher, Charlie Owen, Conor Treadwell and Leo Suta, their side’s fifth league win of the campaign.

DIVISION SIX

There was just the one game in Division Six which saw Royal Lions C side in action with the visit of Ivory United to Hainault. Lions were in great form, rattling in eight goals courtesy of a Brandon Fulton hat-trick, two from Santino Granet and singles from Valentin Ghebu, Shetu Paul and Subhan Asgher. Luke Thomas was on target with the Ivory consolation goal.

COUNTY CUP

It was quarter finals day in the London Sunday Challenge Cup for Hatch Lane whose imperious run to this stage saw no end as they put in a sparkling first half performance against Spartans to win 5-1 over at Mayesbrook Park. They now await their fate in the draw for the semi finals which will take place soon.