WEEK 31 REVIEW: Round-up of Sunday's league and cup football action

Premier Division Cup

The line-up for this season’s Premier Division Cup final in a fortnight’s time was confirmed on Sunday with two absolutely barnstorming thrillers. Flanders have booked a place in the final as they overcame the new Corinthian Cup champions, Repton Park, in a seven-goal thriller. Shomari Barnwell scored a hat-trick for his side with a Leon Lewis effort completing a 4-3 win to send them to Thurrock.

There was no shortage of goal action in the day’s other semi final action either as nine goals were shared between Romford Elite and Warren United in an exciting match in Chadwell Heath. Elite goals from Ben Bickford, Gabriel Ogunwomoju, Joshua Thompson and Chris Bird settled the match by the odd goal as Romford ran out 5-4 victors in the game to secure their cup final place against Flanders.

Division One

In Division One, the title race is now down to just two clubs following an important brace of results in the division. Ultimate Vision have kept alive their chances of title glory with a hard fought 3-1 home victory against Valentines United in their last match of the season. Jack Mooney, Jonathan Melia and Ryan Chapman did the damage with the goals meaning that East London Old Boys need four points out of six to win the league.

In the day’s other action from this division, FC Mexico’s own hopes of title glory were ended as they played host to Korona Redbridge in their own final match of the season. And it was the visitors who will have been the happier of the sides travelling home as Dawid Smolarek’s brace plus a Dawid Pietras goal handed them a 3-0 win, securing their spot in the division for another season.

Division Two

The Division Two leadership has changed hands once again with Wanstead United making the most of a double header fixture to go top of the pile by a point. They racked up a pair of wins against St Augustines with David Nott scoring twice and one apiece from Bradley Drisdale, Jeffrey Nketia, Johnnie Offei and Bradley Nelson in a 6-0 win. That was followed up by a 4-2 victory in the second game, coming from behind with a four-goal haul from Jeffrey Nketia sealing maximum points in a 4-2 win. Keiran Murphy and Thomas Neale got the goals for the Saints in reply.

Staying in touch with the leaders but with games running out are Chingford Athletic as the cup final bound side took on London Fire Brigade, coming away with a 4-2 win to their name. Yomi Popoola and David Moore got the Fire goals but four in reply from Athletic gave them the points they needed and a confidence boost ahead of Sunday’s cup final.

Also staying in the frame at the top of the table are Upshire as the county cup winners returned to league action this week with a tough match against the improving Masterman. Alessander Cook and Billy Clare got on the scoresheet for the visitors but Upshire edged the match by the odd goal to win 3-2 and keep this division looking very interesting indeed.

Another side who maintain outside hopes of promotion are Flyhouse Athletic who have experienced a spell of indifferent form in recent weeks and were at home to Lonsdale on Sunday in a must-win game. But a Klodian Gjings hat-trick and a Roberto Salvati goal were just too as Lonsdale secured a 4-2 win that moves them to the dizzy heights of sixth in the table, four points behind their opposition.

Division Three

In Division Three, there was a just a single match this weekend as Morfdown Elect and Hornchurch Oakmont faced their penultimate games of the campaign, both knowing that their league position is safe for this season. Adam Davis was intent to increase his goal scoring tally however as he notched a hat-trick for Elect with Conor Treadwell’s goal completing a 4-0 win to take maximum points.

Division Four

In Division Four, there is still much to play for with three sides still in contention for league title and promotion honours. Central Colts have two games to play and one win will be enough to secure the title, aided by a hard fought victory on Sunday as they saw off Newham Athletic in a 2-1 win. Tunde Olagunju and Charlie Parry got the all important goals to hand them the win.

Should there be any Colts slip-up then Emerson Park Under 21s will be undoubtedly ready to swoop in and they gave themselves the best chance of doing so as they defeated Custom House Community Reserves on Sunday in a 7-2 win. Ronnie Hobbrough scored four goals and Jake Willis got himself a hat-trick to keep their hopes alive.

There was also plenty of excitement at Grey Area where a match that had toed and froed against Highams Park Royals saw the latter notch a last gasp equaliser as the sides had to take a share of the spoils. Khadean Campbell scored twice to go with goals from Danny Potter and Moyo Oba, levelling up Royals efforts from Ryan Radley (2) and a Macauley White effort.

The remaining match of the day was played at Oak Royals against Epping Forest Falcons where the Royals had a day to remembers, running out 4-1 winners to end their penultimate match of the season on a high. Ryan Lawless grabbed the Falcons goal with a Bill Gregory brace and strikes form Matthew Brett and Ryan Mitchell.