WEEK 4 REVIEW: Round-up of Sunday's Corinthian league and cup action

CORINTHIAN CUP

The Corinthian Cup competition continued on Sunday as Westferry Elite looked to spring a surprise at home to Premier Division outfit, Barking & Dagenham Wanderers.  In a closely fought game which was only settled by the odd goal in five, it was the Wanderers who prevailed and booked their place in round two with a Robert Eden hat-trick leading the way.

TROPHYLAND CUP

If giant-killings are your thing, you can’t look past the tremendous efforts of Division Four clubs on Sunday. Division Four's Monkhams overcame a two division deficit in their home clash against FC Kulture Klub as the Loughton-based side won through in a stunning 4-0 scoreline. Samuel Griffin, George Burton and Thomas Overton got the goals that mattered to send them through to the next round.

There was a similarly tough assignment for Woodford AFC who were also up against a side from two divisions higher in the form of London Fire Brigade. Another Charlie Saywood hat-trick haul saw Woodford virtually home and hosed with Jayesh Barber and Jake Silk goals completing a 5-0 win.

Completing a trio of giant-killings was the battle between Division Three side Ping City Phoenixes and their Division Four counterparts, Alliance United. In a tight game, it took just a single goal to pick these sides apart with William Kelsey the hero with the only strike of the game to carry his Alliance side to a 1-0 win and a place in round three.

The competitions remaining game at the weekend was another Division Two vs Division Four clash which saw Lonsdale up against Thames Ironworks Community Reserves. Jack Marston and Kalium Fletcher doubles for Londale looked to sending their side through but some late goals from Thames, including a Kurt Smith brace and Simeon Nelson goal made it a nervy ending before the hosts won through 4-3.

PREMIER DIVISION

In the Premier Division, Repton Park have moved to the top of the table after a they beat the previous leaders, FC Mexico, ending their unbeaten start in the process. Mexico goals from Tom Terry and Adam Roberts were not quite enough as Ciaran Kelly and Jesse Spearing both netted braces for Repton, adding to a Joe McEvoy goal in a 5-2 victory.

The day’s other action saw Upshire head across to the other side of the M25 to make a short journey into Highams Park where they faced an East London Old Boys side who were buoyed by their county cup victory last time out. The Waltham Abbey visitors were able to open up their points account for the season, running out 6-3 winners to return home the happier of the sides.

DIVISION ONE

There was plenty of movement in Division One at the weekend as Chingford Athletic climbed to third as they faced a Valentines United side making their first trip of the season. A goal apiece from Alex Foss and Tom Barnes separated the two teams as Chingford ran out 2-1 winners on the day.

St Augustines are up to fourth in the standings after just two games as they made it two wins from two with a thumping 4-1 win away at second placed Valiant. A Lee Jarvis goal for the hosts proved in vain as Thomas’ Neil and Neale were at it again in front of goal plus further efforts from James Pararajan and Duane Hitchman completing the victory.

Also maintaining a perfect start to the season so far are Ridgeway Rovers who continue to demonstrate their credentials with a home victory on Sunday against Wanstead Albion. Conor Carey got on the scoresheet for Albion but Rovers responded with three of their own in a 3-1 victory to take home the points.

DIVISION TWO

In Division Two, Royal Albert have moved up to second place in the standings and remain unbeaten following an entertaining home clash against Barking. Barking goals from Ben King and Charlie Surridge were not quite enough as Albert edged past the visitors through a Shane Wallace hat-trick to earn a 3-2 win.

DIVISION THREE

It remains incredibly tight at the top of Division Three after both of the two leading sides earned wins on Sunday with just a single goal separating them. Central Colts remain top after they bagged an impressive 6-2 win away at West Essex. Tunde Olagunju and Joao Massalla both scored twice with Liam Mulcare and Simplice Lukuamusu efforts helping them to the win.

Trailing just a goal behind the leaders are Alpha who continue an excellent start to the season with a nervy victory at home against E4 Rangers. Macauley White’s hat-trick for the visitors looked to be giving his side something to take home but Alpha goals from Dominic Crichlon (2), Kai Brown and Mikey Ward propelled their side to a 4-3 win.

Moving up to third in the standings are Thames Ironworks Community who make it two wins from their opening three matches with a victory against Roneo Colts in Dagenham. Benjamin Jeffrey scored twice and Theo Towli also got on the scoresheet as Thames cruised to victory to maintain pressure on the top two sides.

DIVISION FOUR

Grey Area top the Division Four table after four games but they were involved in a real humdinger against an unbeaten AC Milano Reserves side on Sunday. Grey will have been fearing the worst after conceding a two goal lead to go a goal behind late on. But a late Connor Frost goal completed his hat-trick and stole a point when it looked unlikely, ending 3-3. That draw made it three draws from three games for Milano.

Moving up to second in the table and staying unbeaten so far are Newham Athletic. They were at home against Epping Forest Falcons on Sunday looking to extend a great start to the season. Wes Scott was the hero on the day as he netted a hat-trick which, along with a Jason Taylor goal, paved the way for a 4-0 victory for their side.

ESSEX SUNDAY PREMIER CUP

In the Essex Sunday Premier Cup, Ultimate Vision were involved in a terrific match at home to Braintree-based Bocking Social. A seven-goal thriller ensued between the sides with some stunning goals but it was Bocking who will have returned back up the A12 the happier as they won 4-3.

Flanders were involved in an equally competitive contest as they were visited by Thurrock League based Legends in East Ham at the weekend. It was Legends who completed the victory on the day as they ran out narrow 2-1 winners to book their place in round two.

It wasn’t such a great morning for Romford Elite who made the long trip up to a wet and miserable Colchester to take on Romania Athletic and on were on the wrong end of an 8-3 defeat, ending their run in the competition for this season.