WEEK 9 REVIEW: Round-up of Sunday's league and cup action

CORINTHIAN CUP

There was plenty of drama in this weekend’s cup ties as the Corinthian Cup continued on it’s Road to Dagenham. High-flying Division One side Korona Redbridge had an intriguing tie as they travelled to East Ham to face top-flight El Valiente. In a tightly contested match, it took a single goal to separate the sides as Sam Edwards’ effort for El Valiente proved to be just enough on the day to seal his side a place in the quarter finals.

In the morning’s other second round clash, Upshire were the visitors to Warren United with United looking to establish another good run in the competition after being runners-up last season. They are on their way to doing so after a goal-filled encounter with their plucky visitors as Daniel Bell scored four, Lewis Compton a brace and a Sean Green strike finishing the job in a 7-3 win.

TROPHYLAND CUP

There was a big shock in the Trophyland Cup where Division Three’s Thames Ironworks Community sent a second Division Two club spiralling out of the competition as they beatr a high-flying Goresbrook outfit, winning 3-1 after extra time. Danny Child was the hero with a hat-trick, rendering Josh Keeble’s effort as mere consolation for the visitors to book a place in round three.

Also through to the third round of the competition are Royal Albert although they had to survive a scare, eventually edging past a plucky Roneo Colts outfit from a division beneath. Albert goals from Sam Turpin, Justin Smith and Shane Wallace got the job done in the end to edge a five-goal contest by the odd goal, 3-2.

PREMIER DIVISION

Back in the league, Barking & Dagenham Wanderers have made a move up to fifth in the standings in the top flight as they secured a second league victory of the season on Sunday at home to FC Mexico. Alex Leslie did the damage with a hat-trick with Dylan Plunkett also scoring twice and Matthew Ackee once to win it 6-2. Jack O’Neil and Rhys Tyrell got the Mexico goals in reply.

Moving up to second place in the table and remaining unbeaten are Romford Elite and they extended that record with a home victory on Sunday against Brook Athletic. In a seven goal thriller, Harry Beveridge, Daniel Da Costa and Malik Donaldson all scored for Brook but a Chris Bird hat-trick paved the way for an Elite victory with Joshua Thompson’s goal rounding off a 4-3 win.

DIVISION ONE

In Division One, Chingford Athletic are the new leaders of the pack as they took advantage of the previous leaders being out of action to go top, aided by a victory on their travels away at Westferry Elite. Matthew Warwick scored a brace with Michael Boahene’s effort wrapping up a 3-1 win.

Ridgeway Rovers and Valiant are third and fourth positioned respectively after those sides met in Walthamstow on Sunday. Valiant goals from Jordan Hart and Josh Harris were levelled up by Rovers on the day at 2-2 as the two sides settled for a share of the spoils, keeping them both involved at the top end of the table.

The 2-2 scoreline was a popular one in this division as two other sides settled on a “Desmond” themselves where Virtue made the short trip across Barkingside to face St Augustines. Kyran Allen and Thomas Neale both netted for the Saints with Robert Moore and Ricky Field scoring for Virtue to take home a point apiece.

In a battle between two of the winless sides, Wanstead Albion travelled to face Valentine United with both looking to kick-start their league campaigns. Charlie Fiander scored one in each half for United but Albion had chances to level alas not taken advantage of with Valentines eventual 2-0 winners to open their points account.

DIVISION TWO

London Fire Brigade caused one of the big upsets of the weekend as the seventh placed side put in a terrific performance to beat top of the table FC Kulture Klub on Sunday in Walthamstow. When James Pringle popped, he couldn’t stop, netting both of the goals in a 2-1 victory for Fire which was their third league win of the season.

That result game two sides the chance to close the gap at the top and Barking were one who took advantage. The Mayesbrook Park side entertained Bretons Manor in a local derby with the hosts cruising to an 8-3 victory. Aaron King scored a hat-trick with further goals arriving through Ben King, Charlie Surridge, James Cook, Michael O’Brien and Renaldo Haldeda.

Making it a trio of sides locked at the very top, Dagenham United bounced back to winning ways after defeat last time out as they put four goals past Walthamstow Avenue with no reply to win 4-0. Ricardo Teixeira and Sean Thomas both scored a brace each to lead their side to a fourth win of the season.

There was a third win of the season on Sunday for Lonsdale who hosted Ferns Seniors in the most local of local derby matches with both sides based out of Chadwell Heath. Klodian Gjings scored twice for Lonsdale with Kalium Fletcher’s effort helping them to a 3-1 win, rendering Jay Gorman’s goal as consolation for Ferns.

DIVISION THREE

In Division Three, there was an impressive performance from the new league leaders as Central Colts ascent to the top of the pile was completed, putting nine goals past Ping City Phoenixes. Tunde Olagunju scored four for his side with further goals arriving from the boot of Dilland Stephenson, Liam Mulcare, Kevin Ituko, Kieron Malcolm and Shannon Nyabunze in the 9-0 victory.

Alpha are now second in the standings as they took on the hard-working Dagenham United Reserves outfit. Having led through a Kai Brown goal, the Daggers battled back to level it up through a Jay Simmons effort which saw the match end 1-1 and a settle of the spoils on the day.

There was another 1-1 scoreline the division’s remaining match where Hornchurch Oakmont faced a trip to Walthamstow to take on E4 Rangers, both sides looking to improve on recent results to get their promotion challenges back on track. Macauley White netted his customary goal for the hosts but George Terry was on target for Oakmont as the sides ended level.

DIVISION FOUR

In Division Four, Woodford have resumed their goal scoring form as they put ten past Alliance United on Sunday without reply to maintain their lead at the top of the table. Charlie Saywood scored four more with Kevin Butcher scoring a hat-trick to lead the way. Two goals from Luke Barrow and a Jake Silk effort completed the win to stay top by two points.

The other side challenging at the top are Newham Athletic and both sides are now pulling clear of the pack, aided by a big 4-0 win away at Grey Area for Newham at the weekend. Steven Courtney was on target with a brace as Kane Greene and James Farmer efforts completed the win for the visitors.

Holding the sixth place position in the table are Monkhams who saw an end to Asianos Reserves unbeaten start to the season so far with a 3-1 win away in Manor Park on Sunday. Jamie Wilkinson, Samuel Griffin and Robert Fox were the scorers for the visitors as the Loughton-based side confirmed a third league win of the season.

Continuing a little run of form were Epping Forest Falcons who had a difficult looking trip to Wanstead Flats to face fourth placed and previously unbeaten East Ham Inter. Falcons put in a winning performance however as Ryan Lawless scored again alongside efforts from Peter Andrew and Adam Bishop which saw the side to a narrow 3-2 win.

There were maiden victories for two sides in the lower half of the table, the first of those being AC Milano Reserves who moved up to eighth place in the standings, winning 2-0 away at Custom House Community. That result saw them move to within two points of the sides in mid-table just above them.

Also securing a first and historic win were Thames Ironworks Community Reserves who, after forming in the summer, secured a first ever win as they beat Oak Royals in Newbury Park. Wayne Gittens scored a hat-trick for Thames with Allan Smith and Lee Mpensah efforts rounding off a memorable 5-1 win which they will hope to enable them to push on.