WEEK 7 REVIEW: Review of all of the weekend's league and cup action

FA SUNDAY CUP

One of just two representatives from Essex took their place in the FA Sunday Cup at the weekend as the Corinthian League’s Premier Division leaders, Upshire, headed into north London to face KOPA League side – Omonia FC. In a fiery encounter, Upshire took an early lead as Tyler Dangerfield broke clear and squeezed his effort past the home keeper with the Waltham Abbey side holding their lead until the break. However, a quick-fire double early in the second half from Omonia ultimately proved the difference in a game of few clear cut chances as Upshire exited this year’s competition.

CORINTHIAN CUP

A terrific clash in the Corinthian Cup on Sunday saw Division One side, Emerson Park, travel to Ainslie Wood of the Premier Division and put real pressure on their higher division opponents. The game ended 3-3 after extra time with Eric Kelly netting an Ainslie double and Ben Harmsworth also on target as the Premier Division eventually prevailed 3-2 in the shootout.

There was similar drama in Barkingside where Warren United came from behind to level just before the break against Lactico. Warren then snatched a lead just after half time with a close range finish but Lactico were immediately level with their own effort. With extra-time approaching, Harry Agombalor popped up with an exquisite winner to put his Warren side through to the next round.

In the competition’s other game, these was an incredible seven-goal performance from Jesse Spearing who led his Repton Park side to a 10-1 win against Dagenham United. Ronnie Burke and Jobe Ambrose were also on target for Repton as they booked a second round tie away at Aldborough Hatch.

TROPHYLAND CUP

The cup drama continued into the Trophyland Cup where Division Three’s Alliance United came back from the brink to force their tie against Division Two’s Westferry Elite into extra time with Kevin Davidson, Nicky Hornsby and Mark Frostick all finding the back of the net for United. Ultimately an extra-time winner from Elite edged the tie and booked a place in the last-sixteen against Heathside.

Division Four’s Hornchurch Oakmont made light of a two division difference in their tie as they took last season’s cup specialists FC Mexico through to a penalty shootout. George Terry, Ross Woolward and James Bailey were so nearly the heroes for Oakmont as they got their side to 3-3 but Mexico held their nerve in the shootout to win 5-4.

SL Menfica upset Division Three’s Upshire Reserves, breezing through a potentially sticky looking tie in an 8-2 scoreline. James Dobson grabbed himself a hat-trick with Jake Muller, Jordan Clark, Flynn Linard, Thomas Rice and George Boffa all hitting the back of the net to progress to the next round.

And Central Colts were another to go so close to causing an upset, continuing their vastly improved form this season in only going down 2-1 to Division Three AC Milano Reserves. Colin Wiles scored Colts’ goal but proved not quite enough as AC progress to take on the might of SL Menfica in Round Two.

PREMIER DIVISION

In what has to go down as one of the most scintillating games of football, although perhaps not if you’re Alan Hansen, Valentines United led Quality Control 4-2 before seeing their lead evaporate as the visitors won an entertaining twelve-goal thriller 7-5. Adam Lindsay and Karl Vernage both scored braces for United with Jonathan Andrews on target too but their goals were not enough on this occasion as a Devonte Forsythe-Young hat-trick plus goals from Tyler Benfield (2), Mustafa Mohamed and James Piras saw Quality through to victory and third place in the table.

Flanders made progress of their own as they recorded a first point of the season, sharing the points in a 1-1 score-draw with Liberty Stars in the Newham derby. The point is not quite enough to move them off the bottom of the table but gives them confidence to the matches ahead.

DIVISION ONE

There are new leaders in Division One as Chingford Celtic reached the summit with a big 4-1 win over fellow title rivals in the shape of Aldborough Hatch. Terlochan Singh was on target for a Hatch side who need to get their early season winning form back swiftly.

Barking drop to second place following a 1-1 draw against St Augustines in Barkingside which saw them share the points. Jack Dalby scored the Saints’ goal to give them a fourth point of the season but remain ninth in the table in a strong league.

Barking & Dagenham Wanderers are up to third, taking advantage of sides slipping up around them in drawing 2-2 against Warren United Reserves. Sam Coe found the back of the net for Barking with James Masters levelling it up for an improving Warren side.

Netting one of the results of the day were Valley Park who travelled to Korona Redbridge and came away with maximum points to climb up the table to seventh in the table. Marcin Ches found the back of the net for Korona but that proved not enough as they slip to fourth in the table.

DIVISION TWO

London Fire Brigade are making a genuine challenge for league honours this season as they wrapped up a narrow 1-0 win on Sunday over Lonsdale. David Moore scored the only goal of a tight match to keep them top of the table in another hotly contested division.

Waltham Athletic took advantage of others out of action over the weekend as they beat E4 Rangers 5-1 at the County Ground. Charlie Saywood scored a brace to add to his goal tally, with Thomas Simon, Andrew Overton and Joe McGrath also on target to take home the points.

DIVISION THREE

FC United of Hornchurch dragged themselves off of the bottom of Division Three on Sunday with a hugely important 3-1 win on the road at Alpha. Thomas Pidgeon delivered his message with a goal, with Paul Mangan and Josh Harris also on target to cancel out Jason Grant’s strike for Alpha.

Asianos Reserves grabbed a late, late goal to put paid to Wanstead United’s perfect record as they took a share of the spoils in a 1-1 draw. The point was enough to open up a four point gap for United while Asianos maintained their own unbeaten record and are fourth placed.

Partizan CMC climb a number of places in the division after they took home maximum points in a 7-3 win at Fairlop Rangers on Sunday. That result was enough to take the Chigwell side up to fifth in the table and very much in sight of the leaders of the division.

DIVISION FOUR

It was another quiet day in Division Four where the only game of the day saw Heathside notch up a 5-1 home victory in Dagenham over Grey Area. Sam Owen scored twice for ‘Side with Joseph Uhama, Glen Owen and Craig Ellis completing the scoring to return to third place in the table.