Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League divisions and action in the respective Divisional Cups on Saturday 5 March. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 5 March
COUNTY CUP
Despite the inclement weather, it was a glorious afternoon for Woodford East on Saturday as the league’s remaining representatives in the BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup took their place in the final with a terrific display against Clapton Community at Wadham Lodge. All the goals were scored in the first half as Halil Hassan’s side won 3 – 1, setting up a mouthwatering final against Essex Olympian League Premier Division side Catholic United on 13th April at Billericay Town.
DIVISION THREE CUP
The only other surviving cup tie at the weekend saw Glendale make the trip to Romford to face Flyers Under 23s in quarter final action, the winners confirming their place in the last four. Two first half Dales goals from Zack Clark and Mo Mboupe put them ahead with a Flyers goal early in the second half pulling one back but the Dales held on to win 2 – 1 and go through to the last four.
SENIOR DIVISION
Another weather impacted weekend meant that only one Senior Division game could proceed which saw a goal-filled encounter at Lakeside as FC Baresi hosted DT FC. The visitors were in sparkling form in front of goal, winning 11 – 0 to restore their lead at the top of the division going into the final eight games of the campaign. Kazim Bishop netted six goals on his own here, with Alex Paraskeva scoring a treble and Robbie Farrell got two goals to round off DT’s joint-highest ever win.
PREMIER DIVISION
In the Premier Division, Dagenham United moved level on points at the top of the table with a solid 6 – 1 win at home against Athletic Newham Under 23s at Castle Green. Shaquille Martin was the main man with a hat-trick for this side with Ancuba Cassama, Chris Mascall and Charlie Fiander also finding the net. Chris Barbosa got the solitary reply for the Newham development side.
Also at the top end of the table Crookz United secured another three point haul but had to do things the hard way, coming from 2 – 0 down against North East Lions to win 3 – 2 and enhance their promotion credentials. Shane Thomas and Tashan Benjamin both struck for Lions but their efforts proved in vain as Luke Stewart, Stephane Trah and Abdouaziz Jeng netted in reply for United. It was three wins from three for the promotion chasing sides as Wapping also secured victory with a 2 – 0 home win against London Park City in Hackney. That result enabled the hosts to stay third in the table, picking up a ninth league win of the season in the process and will games in hand still on the side immediately above.
DIVISION ONE
The goals were once again flying in down in Division One where Belfry put continued their excellent league form this season with a hard fought 4 – 2 win against Renegade at Hainault Rec. The James’, Kieran and Warren, were both on target, adding to efforts from Gabriel Ogunwomoju and Daniel Osborne. The theme of four was also witnessed at London Playing Fields where Ilford Reserves put in a top performance to defeat Wanstead in a 4 – 0 scoreline, bouncing back to winning ways. Ollie Miracco scored twice with Rio Clements and Mario-Angelino Lipetz one apiece to help their side move three points clear of their opponents in fourth.
Completing the division’s action, another game of fours as Kwanzas London Sport and Newham Wanderers scored four apiece in a 4 – 4 draw in Beckton. Nuno Dentampol scored a brace, adding to efforts for Wahid Hussain and Robertson Morais for Wanderers as the sides shared the spoils, the teams staying a couple of points apart in the league.
DIVISION TWO
In Division Two, the leaders, Unitey, lost the opportunity to extend their lead at the top as they slipped to a narrow 3 – 2 defeat against Rainham Working Mens Club in a five goal thriller. Bubintende Masadi and Ahmed Dousa got on the Unitey scoresheet but Rainham efforts from Nick Tormey, Connor Kain and Sean Tormey sent the points home with the visitors. Another side who were involved in a surprise result were fourth placed Fairlop Rovers who fell to an away defeat against Redbridge Community who made it three games undefeated with a 5 – 3 win. That result took the team to eighteen points, giving them plenty of hope to avoid the drop this season in the process.
There were two big results affecting things towards the bottom as Ryan Under 23s all but assured themselves of safety in the division with a 3 – 0 home win against St Francis at Wadham Lodge 3G. That kept the Chingford-based side on a good run of form, their seventh win of the season, taking them to twenty-three points while Saints continue their search for crucial league points.
DIVISION THREE
Just one game survived the deluge in Division Three which saw a tight game take place between bottom of the table Terin and a promotion chasing Royal Forest Reserves at Oaks Park High School. Alex Thomas and Suheil Shekh found the net for Terin but those goals proved insufficient as Robert Evans scored twice and Jack Warren once to take the Trees to a 3 – 2 win, moving them second in the standings.
DIVISION FOUR
The sole game in Division Four was a big one affecting the top of the table as Chingford Harriers ensured they stay top of the pile with a 4 – 1 home win against Avondale Rangers in the early game at Peter May. Jake Clarke scored for Rangers but two Harriers goals in reply for Darnell Lamothe plus strikes from Alex Diner and Suleman Yusuf were enough to take their side to an important win.
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League divisions and action in the respective Divisional Cups on Saturday 26 February. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 26 February
COUNTY CUP
As the winter months of the season came to a close, it was a memorable afternoon under brighter skies for Cowley Community, who dramatically came from behind in their semi-final to defeat Brentwood Athletic Reserves once again, repeating their feats of exactly two years ago and reaching the final of this season’s Essex Junior Trophy. Elias Tackie and Inarhu Rodriguez Martin both struck to send their team into another county final which they hope, this time, will finally see them kick a ball. They now face former EAL side Haver Town Reserves at Heybridge Swifts on Friday 1st April. Many congratulations to all involved at Cowley on reaching this stage of the competition!
It was also a good afternoon’s work in the London Junior Cup competition as last year’s finalists, FC Petrocub, put themselves just one performance away from a return to that same stage, returning home from their epic trip south of the river with another win under their belts, defeating Old Plymouthians 2 – 0. They now head to Wimbledon-based Yorxeter in three weeks time for their semi-final clash.
FENTON CUP
Back on the domestic cup front, it was quarter final action facing two of our clubs as Division One’s Barkingside A were looking to repeat their efforts of the previous stage, facing another Senior Division opponent this time around in the form of Rapid Chingford. It was the higher placed side who walked away with a spot in the semis as Sorin Tudose struck twice, adding to efforts from Federico Ardei and Andrei Boga as Rapid won it 4 – 0.
SENIOR DIVISION CUP
The quarter final action extended down into the Senior Division Cup competition also where the first of the last eight ties saw FC Baresi make the trip to the Marshes to face Woodford East. And it was East who warmed up in positive fashion for their county cup semi final by winning this tie 3 – 0. Adam Tabbani, Frank Glock and Liam Adams were all on the scoresheet to send their team through.
DIVISION TWO CUP
There were two first round clashes in the Division Two Cup competition where struggling St Francis found themselves in a terrific position early in their tie against title challengers Fairlop Rovers. The Saints were 2 – 0 up thanks to goals from Lewis Goulbourne and Theo Jacobs-Aaron before a Rovers fightback saw them level and then go into the lead themselves, eventually winning the tie narrowly 3 – 2. They now host Unitey in the last eight shortly.
The goals were flying in over in the Rainham where Royal Forest were the visitors to face Rainham Working Mens Club. Cameron Shakes scored a hat-trick for the Workies with Tyrell Phillips, Charlie Perry and Odo Osei-Tutu goals wrapping up a 6 – 1 home win to send their side to Redbridge Community in the quarter finals.
SENIOR DIVISION
There were some big results in the Senior Division action over the weekend too as the title race was opened right up following a terrific victory for Jolof Sports in their home game against DTFC in East Ham. The hosts were 2 – 1 winners on the day as Abib Diop and Joshua Kweifio-Okai goals cancelled out an Alex Paraskeva effort to give their side a ninth win of the campaign. Over in Chigwell, that result was equally as big for Chadwell Heath Spartans but only if they could convert their efforts into three points against a struggling Tower United side. In a tight affair, it was finally decided by a single goals as Tom Callagher’s effort earned Spartans a vitally important 1 – 0 win to see them move level on points at the top of the standings.
The highest scorers of the day in the division were Kit Out London who came from behind at half time against CSM London to earn themselves a 7 – 3 victory at Noak Hill. Goals from Prince Esanbor, Zakaria Ahmed and Kamran Khan had put CSM into a 3-2 lead at the break but a Kit Out hat-trick from Marlon Ortiz plus goals from Aourid Ismael, Marios Lazaris, Yasin Zougui and debutant Salim won it. Over at Leyton County Ground, Lymore Gardens remain third in the table as they came through their home clash against bottom of the table Chigwell Town in a 2 – 0 scoreline, picking up an eleventh league win in the process. Tyrique Peters and Dylan Roberts were the Gardens scorers, eventually prevailing against a Town side desperate for points in their bid to stay in the division.
PREMIER DIVISION
Frenford A are now just a couple of wins away from confirming a promotion place in the Premier Division and took a big leap towards that following a hugely important 2 – 1 win on Saturday against local rivals Oakside at the Jack Carter. Wisley Baltazar found the back of the net for the leaders as they moved to eleven wins for the campaign.
One of the other big challengers for honours are Crookz United and their game on Saturday saw them visit London Cranes in East Ham, a game which turned into a five-goal thriller. Two Abdouaziz Jeng goals and an Anthony Folkes effort proved vital for United as they edged the contest 3 – 2 to keep themselves well in the mix. A key battle down at the bottom end of the table on Saturday saw London Park City in action at home against Athletic Newham Under 23s with the hosts knowing they need to expand their points tally to avoid the dreaded drop. But Athletic Newham won this key battle 3 – 2, thanks to a double from Bryan Henry and an additional goal from Rodney Botuli, moving themselves up a place to sixth in the process.
DIVISION ONE
There were exhilarating contests in Division One this weekend where we start the round-up from the game between a struggling Francis Luke side and Kwanzas London Sport at the Marshes. The sides combined to produce a very rare fifteen goal thriller with Kwanzas ultimately edging the game 8 – 7. Francis Luke’s Jahvarn Steward, who incredibly scored all seven goals for his side, will wonder how he ended up on the losing side. The league leaders were involved in an epic battle of their own, part of a twelve-goal contest against fifth-placed Wanstead in their clash at May & Bakers. The sides went toe-to-toe in trading blows before Belfry eventually pulled away to win this classic contest 8 – 4. Solomon Ogunwomoju struck a hat-trick, Jamie Redington and Kieran James scoring twice, and Gabriel Ogunwomoju once to maintain their position as the highest ranked unbeaten side in the county.
A relatively quiet game in the scoring stakes saw Something From Nothing make the trip to Hainault at the weekend to face an in-form Ilford Reserves side, jostling for league points in the mid-table mix. SFN started the day four points adrift of their opponents but two Temi Alaka goals cancelled out an Adam Motara effort for the Foxes as they won 2 – 1 to move to within a single point. A similarly close game saw two of the sides battling it out to steer clear of relegation difficulties go head-to-head with ninth placed Renegades playing host to tenth placed Forest Green. Praise The Lord Masasu grabbed a goal for the hosts but Green were able to level it up at 1 – 1 to ensure the teams took a share of the spoils.
DIVISION TWO
Emerson & Upminster Reserves have put themselves in with a big shout of promotion this season in Division Two after they took on and defeated fellow promotion chasing Old Esthameians on Saturday, winning the game 4-1 at Hall Lane. Reece Stringer scored twice with Ben Lamb and Jamie Fox goals completing an important win for the hosts. There was a big result for Ryan Under 23s who reversed their fortunes against Loughton Lions in the space of one week, bouncing back from last week’s defeat to see off the Lions in a 5 – 1 scoreline in Debden. That saw Ryan scoop a sixth league win of the season and move up a place to seventh in the standings, giving themselves a nice buffer on the teams below.
Bottom of the table Newbury East have certainly not given up on their chances of staying up but are running out of time to do so as they picked up another league point on Saturday with a 1 – 1 draw against Redbridge Community at Hainault Rec. Habeeb Gayle scored his side’s goal but Redbridge scored one of their own to ensure they moved up a place to ninth.
DIVISION THREE
It’s all change once again at the top of Division Three after Old Barkabbeyans Reserves returned to the summit, for the time being at least, following a hard fought 5 – 3 win against Flyers Under 23s. Fabio Balde netted a hat-trick with Mitchell Day and Geovany Cruz goals taking the visitors over the line ahead of a big game next week against their closest rivals. Third placed Royal Forest Reserves will be hoping for a draw in that top of the table game next weekend to bring them back into the frame and they ensured they will be there or thereabouts with a bounceback win on Saturday, defeating ASA 1 – 0 at Fairlop Oak. Will Asenso scored that only goal of the game to net his team a crucial win in the promotion race.
One pitch further over at Fairlop Oak, there was a real game of two halves involving two mid-table outfits as Lymore Gardens Reserves raced into an early 3 – 0 lead against Glendale through goals from Ryan Sylvester, Omani Green and Warren Isoka. But the Dales stepped it up in the second period with Zack Clark’s long distance effort finding the top corner and Joshua Adeojo striking too but it proved not enough as Lymore won 3-2 to confirm an eighth league win. In the division’s final game, two further sides locked in mid-table saw Together United make the trip to Bancroft Rugby Club to take on Buckhurst Way, the sides starting just three points apart. But by full-time, Together had extended that lead to six points as they walked away with a 2 – 1 win on the day, despite a Tom Richardson goal for Way.
DIVISION FOUR
In day’s sole Division Four action came from Rainham where Newham & Havering Borough were in home action with a clash against Avondale Rangers, starting the day level on points in mid-table. Borough goals from Andrew Elie and Reece Victory were equalled by goals from Mark Hayden and James Whitbread in an eventual 2 – 2 draw, ending the day back where they had started, level on points once again.
Fixtures – Saturday 5th March (Season Run-in begins)
EAL Senior Division
Blue Marlin v FC Petrocub | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields
FC Baresi v DT FC | at Lakeside Sports Ground (2.30pm KO)
Lymore Gardens v CSM London | Leyton County Ground
EAL Premier Division
Crookz Utd v North East Lions | Peter May Centre, Walthamstow
Dagenham Utd v Athletic Newham U23 | Castle Green Leisure Centre, Dagenham
Oakside v London Cranes | Fairlop Oak
Wapping v London Park City | Victoria Park, E9
and in Essex Premier Cup Semi-Final: Clapton CFC v Woodford East | Wadham Lodge (2pm KO)
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League divisions and action in the respective Divisional Cups on Saturday 5 February. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 5 February
SENIOR DIVISION CUP
There was a shock in another of the Senior Division Cup first round clashes where bottom of the table Chigwell Town followed up their victory in the league last time out by sending Leyton Royal out of the cup. Ellis Morgan was the scorer of the game’s only goal, his effort sending Town through 1 – 0 to a quarter final away at Lymore Gardens.
SENIOR DIVISION
In the Senior Division action, DT FC got themselves back on the winning trail, bouncing back from last week’s disappointment to record a narrow victory by the odd goal away at FC Petrocub. Goals from Lewis Evans, new recruit Robbie Farrell and the returning Jermaine Francis were enough to take home the points from Noak Hill in a 3 – 2 scoreline. Chadwell Heath Spartans remain at the head of the chasing pack with a four point deficit to make up but done their best to keep the title challenge ongoing with a big home win, defeating Kit Out London 5 – 2 in Chigwell. Marlon Ortiz scored twice for London but Spartan goals from Meer Ishanzadeh, Michael Ramsay, Harry Payne, Jordan Thomas and Rashid Matabaro were decisive.
Jolof Sports missed the chance to break into the top four as they could only take a point back with them from their visit to Walthamstow to face FC Baresi, the sides ending 2 – 2 at the Britannia. Ali Shikheey and Paul Benfield both struck for the hosts as they moved up a place to seventh and into the top half. Mussa Jamanca and Mamadou Sene responded for Jolof there. In a crucial battle at the bottom to avoid the drop, Blue Marlin played host to fellow relegation threatened CSM London, the latter looking to make up for the disappointment of their last trip to Hainault. CSM started the game a point clear of the drop zone but CSM had extended that to four by full time, winning 2 – 1 courtesy of key goals from Leon Barnard and Ramone Senior. Lindsey Marsh got the solitary reply for Marlin.
PREMIER DIVISION
There were huge results affecting both ends of the Premier Division standings as second placed Dagenham United’s recent run of poor continued, going down to a 2 – 0 defeat against sixth placed Oakside. The victors kept up their push for the title thanks to a double from Kieren Huddart and they still have twelve games left in their season to complete the job, many more than that their closest rivals. That result also enabled Crookz United to move to within two points of the promotion places after they came through a tricky game away to Athletic Newham Under 23s. United were 3 – 2 winners at Flanders through a Stephane Trah brace and an Abdouaziz Jeng goal, taking their wins tally for the season to nine.
And there was a massive result for sides trying to avoid the drop as London Park City gave themselves a fighting chance as they scooped a first league win of the season, beating London Cranes 3-0 at Seven Kings High School, a result which moved them off of the bottom of the table though still eleven points adrift from safety.
DIVISION ONE
Belfry’s stranglehold at the top of Division One continues for another week as they confirmed a tenth straight league victory to keep their perfect record, defeating promotion chasing RC XI 3 – 1 in Aveley. It was a family affair on the scoring front with Solomon Ogunwomoju netting twice and Gabriel Ogunwomoju striking the other to help their side take the win. Eugene Duah got the solitary reply for RC. Just a couple of points behind, Cowley Community’s own push for silverware was maintained as they put in a winning performance against Forest Green over in Newbury Park. Cowley were 5 – 2 winners on the day as Lekan Bakare struck twice with Chris Wright, Michael Taylor and Rotimi Balogun also getting on the scoresheet.
Ilford Reserves have shot up into the top five of the standings as they won both games of a double header against Barkingside A in Wanstead. They were 4 – 0 victors in the first game as Joseph Sulola and Rhys Clements both scored twice to help them cruise to victory. Game number two was tighter but the Foxes were winners once again as Denzel Essuah-Mensah and Rhys Clements netted to finish it 2 – 0. There was a big win for Something From Nothing as their local derby game against Wanstead went their way, running out 3 – 1 winners to sit sixth in the table. Nicola Rapacchiani scored for the hosts but his efforts proved in vain, missing the chance to go third as SFN scored three of their own to pick up a fifth league win of the season.
A nine-goal thriller was witnessed over at Hackney Marshes where Francis Luke and their co-tenants Renegade played their part in a goal filled contest. Luke’s Jahvarn Steward scored a hat-trick and Brighton Tutalamon one but those efforts were not quite enough as Nana Baah (2), Mundhir Omar, Nathaniel Williams and Prince Eze struck to win the game 5 – 4 in Renegade’s favour. The division’s remaining game was another from the Flats which saw Kwanzas London Sport the visitors to take on Newham Wanderers, both sides occupying mid-table berths and separated by three points. That gap remained by full-time with the teams settling for a 2 – 2 draw with Robertson Morais notching both efforts for Wanderers.
DIVISION TWO
The top of the Division Two table couldn’t be tighter with one point separating the top four sides. Fairlop Rovers closed the gap on the leaders to just a point but had their work cut out, edging a nine-goal thriller at home to Redbridge Community over in Hainault. Rovers were 5 – 4 winners despite Redbridge goals from Opeyemi Salami, Melanijus Butkus, Frankie Francis and Dylan Broadley. Top of the table Old Esthameians slipped to a third league defeat of the season as Ryan Under 23s exacted revenge for a defeat earlier in the season to take home the points in a 3 – 1 win at Wadham Lodge. Their goals came from Pooya Karimi, Mekhi Charles-Armstrong and Jedd Coster. That was Ryan’s fifth win the competition this season while E’s missed the chance to extend their lead at the summit.
There was also a defeat for second placed Unitey who were on the road ono Saturday with a trip to Debden to take on Loughton Lions but returned empty handed with Lions’ recent form from the cup extending to the league as they picked up a 2 – 1 win. That was the host’s fourth league victory as they attempt to move clear of relegation difficulties. Another key result saw Royal Forest shoot up to seventh in the league standings as they took down fourth placed Emerson & Upminster Reserves in Loughton. Martin Cannon fired in two goals, Jonathan Hick and Joe Meader also netting. Ross Braybrooke and Archie Pitfield struck for Emerson in reply with their consolation efforts as Forest won the game 4 – 2.
The biggest winners in the division were Rainham Working Mens Club who managed to find the net with regularity during an 8 – 1 away win at Newbury East over at Oaks Park. Two goals apiece from Nick Tormey, Scott Gormer and Sean Tormey led the way with Cameron Shakes and Charlie Perry efforts finishing things off. Christian Autunno scored the East consolation goal in reply. Fifth placed FHN Athletic enhanced their promotion credentials as one of only two winning sides in the top five on Saturday, defeating eleventh placed St Francis with a 3 – 0 win in Hainault. That was the host’s eighth league win and, with games in hand, could climb to second in the coming weeks if they can convert those to victories.
DIVISION THREE
The big result in Division Three came from Walthamstow on Saturday as Together United pulled off one of the biggest results of the season to end Royal Forest Reserves’ long unbeaten run in the league, defeating the title contenders 5 – 2. Tom Alexander scored twice for the Trees but those goals were not enough to get anything from the contest. Old Barkabbeyans Reserves took full advantage of that slip by a rival club to return to the top as they exacted some revenge for dropping points last time out against Buckhurst Way by beating them 5 – 0 this time around. Michael Ryder scored a hat-trick with Luke Harradine and Mitchell Day efforts giving the leaders an eleventh win of the season.
Just a point behind Old Barks are FC Baresi Under 23s who moved into second place following the weekend’s results, coming through a comfortable home victory against Terin at the Britannia. Leo Siki scored a hat-trick, Joshua Adu scored twice and one each from Zach Aliane and Kii Jean-Baptiste confirmed a 7 – 0 win for the host club. Sitting three points off the top three, Lymore Gardens Reserves will potentially still have some impact on who finishes in the promotion places and got back to winning ways this weekend with a 3 – 1 away win over ASA at Hackney Marshes. That result, Lymore’s ninth of the season moved their points tally onto twenty-eight.
Fifth placed Melbourne Sports are not too far back themselves after a difficult spell of form but they were in fine goal scoring form on Saturday, putting seven goals past Flyers Under 23s in a 7 – 1 win for the Mels. Ethan Sowonola scored for Flyers but his effort was not quite enough as the hosts walked away comfortable winners.
DIVISION FOUR
Matching the two divisions above for its closeness, it’s one point separating four in Division Four also where Fairlop Rovers Reserves cut the gap at the top to just goal difference on Chingford Harriers as they won 4 – 1 in Walthamstow. Nick Shawyer scored for Harriers but the leaders’ luck ran out as Rovers were victorious. That result means that Sporting Pillars are in pole position for the title and sit just a point off the lead, with a game in hand, following a big 7 – 1 win away at Newham & Havering Borough as they reigned supreme in Dagenham. A Rayan Allam hat-trick, Emanuel Jacob brace and efforts from Daniel Gutierrez and Ousmany Dibaga were more than enough, Andrew Elie striking Borough’s consolation.
Fourth placed Flyers Under 21s missed the chance to go top of the table after they were held to a rare goalless draw in their game away to ninth placed West Essex Under 23s. The teams were unable to breach each other’s defences, taking away a point apiece to put a dent in Flyers’ promotion push, that being West’s fourteen point this season. In fifth place, Dagenham United Reserves got back to winning ways as they closed the gap on the four sides above to three points, coming away winners from a closely fought home game against Avondale Rangers at Castle Green. Blaijan Kitufueni scored for Rangers but United goals from Lucas Pereira and Imad Khan confirmed a 2-1 win for their side.
COUNTY CUP
The league will have it’s first representation in the semi finals of the BBC Essex Premier Cup as Woodford East returned home from their trip to Tiptree Heath with a dramatic 5-2 win. East fell behind in the first minute but battled back to hold a half-time lead then withstood a Heath fightback before scoring twice late on. They will now head on to face Clapton Community in the semi finals next month, one game away from the final.
Fixtures – Saturday 12 February
EAL Senior Division
Chadwell Heath Spartans v Lymore Gardens | Chigwell Hall
Chigwell Town v Woodford East | London Marathon Sports Ground
CSM London v FC Baresi | West Ham Community Ground [3G]
Leyton Royal v Kit Out London | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields, Hainault
Rapid Chingford v DT FC | Lakeside Sports Ground
EAL Premier Division
All Prospects v Athletic Newham U23 | Fairlop Oak
London Cranes v Oakside | Flanders Playing Fields
North East Lions v Frenford A | Peter May Centre, Walthamstow
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League divisions and action in the respective Divisional Cups on Saturday 29 January. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 29 January
FENTON CUP
The penultimate name was placed in the hat for the quarter finals of the Fenton Cup and it saw a big derby match between two rivals as Rapid Chingford were the visitors to Hainault to take on Leyton Royal. Despite Royal holding a small advantage in the league, it was Rapid who put themselves into the last eight, winning 2 – 0 courtesy of goals from Darwin Romero and Andrei Boga. They will face Barkingside A in the next round in February.
FENTON TROPHY
The Fenton Trophy quarter finals also saw a game between two big rivals, just a few pitches away, as Division Two’s Fairlop Rovers and Loughton Lions both produced enigmatic performances in front of a sizeable crowd. The two sides couldn’t be separated in ninety minutes with the game ending 2 – 2, with Jake Roberts & Tom Ratican netting for Lions. And it was Lions who pulled off a big of a shock win in the shootout, overcoming a fifteen point deficit to win it 3-2 from the spot. They head on into the semi finals of the competition.
SENIOR DIVISION CUP
In the first round of the Senior Division Cup, there was a five goal thriller in the game over at the County Ground where Lymore Gardens were hosts to a Blue Marlin side looking for improved cup form. A close game was edged by the hosts with Ryo Brown, Gracia Muhemba and Andre Rashford goals seeing their side win 3 – 2 to make the quarter finals. Ni Acquaye’s brace was not enough prevent the visitors exiting here.
DIVISION THREE CUP
The cup excitement extended to the day’s Division Three Cup tie too as Glendale played host to Lymore Gardens Reserves at Fairlop Oak. An entertaining game saw Lymore lead three times through goals from Eugene Goumou (2), Daniel Crowie and Omani Green. But the Dales fought back on each occasion to force spotkick as Attila Szabo (2), Valter Correia and Mohammed Gueye efforts made it 4 – 4. Glendale prevailed 5 – 4 in the shootout to book their place in the quarters.
SENIOR DIVISION
There were some big results at the summit of the Senior Division as Woodford East kept their hat in the ring for the league title with a key victory against DTFC at the Marshes. A goal apiece from Frank Glock and William Letchford for East ended DT’s long unbeaten record with Mickey Mesmin’s effort proving just consolation in a 2 – 1 scoreline, though they do remain top. Jolof Sports also had an afternoon to remember with a crucial win of their own over a title rival as they defeated Chadwell Heath Spartans in a 5 – 1 scoreline at Flanders. Meer Ishanzadeh netted his first Spartans goal but Papa Ndiaye was in fine form for the hosts, scoring a hat-trick, to go with goals from Fode Diakhite and Yan Manzan.
There were some fine victories for the division’s two bottom sides as they continued their quest to avoid the drop with Chigwell Town taking home the points against CSM London in a 4 – 1 win, dragging their opponents back into the dogfight. Ross Chimes scored twice with further efforts from Mark Howe and Lewis McGillicuddy taking them home. Jayden Mitchell-Brown grabbed the CSM goal in reply but his efforts proved in vain. It was victory also for second bottom Tower United who picked up a critical third league win of the season with victory at home against mid-table Kit Out London in a 3 – 0 scoreline. Abdi Mohamed netted twice and Abubakar Maxamed scored the other for the Mabley Green based side as they put themselves to within four points of safety.
PREMIER DIVISION
It was the battle of the top two in the Premier Division on Saturday with Dagenham United making the trip to Ilford to take on leaders, Frenford A, in a huge game for those title chasing sides. And it will be the leaders who walked away the happier of the teams as they earned themselves a 3 – 0 win through goals from Joel Opara (2) and Carlos Barahona to open up a three point gap at the top. Third placed Wapping ensured they moved to within a point of the second place after they came through a potentially tricky game against an in-form North East Lions side who sit just a couple of places below. A close game was settled by the odd goal with Wapping goals from Kamrul Ahmed and Muhammad Mikaeel overcoming Shane Thomas’ goal for Lions in a 2 – 1 scoreline.
With games in hand over the top three, Crookz United sit just outside the promotion places presently but kept their excellent run going with a thumping 6 – 1 away win against London Park City at Seven Kings High School. A terrific five goal performance from Abdouaziz Jeng was the difference, Stephane Trah scoring the other to make it eight league wins for United. Sixth placed Oakside were also in scintillating form on Saturday with a big away victory in their local derby game against co-tenants All Prospects at Fairlop Oak, putting them to the sword in a 10 – 0 scoreline. Luke Caston scored four for ‘Side, Mohammed Hassan added two with Freddie Anderson, Jed Ofori, Andy Adomakoh and Kieren Huddart goals completing a comfortable win.
London Cranes have moved themselves into mid-table after picking up a home win on Saturday against ground neighbours, Athletic Newham Under 23s. They were 2 – 0 victors to make it five wins for the season with Arafat Lubega the man on target for both goals to move his side up two places in the standings to seventh.
DIVISION ONE
Belfry have returned to the top of Division One on the back of the weekend’s results, scooping a big 11 – 2 home win against Forest Green to top the table on goal difference. Kieran James was in super form, scoring four for the hosts, Ryan O’Connell and Gabriel Ogunwomoju bagging twice each, with Lewis Prainer, Luke MacDonald and Daniel Osborne finishing things off. That change at the top also came about after second and third met in another big game at Fords where Cowley Community were looking to make up ground against RCXI who themselves have been in good form. And it was county cup semi-finalists, Cowley, who assured themselves of another crucial victory with Michael Taylor and Chris Wright scoring for them in a 2 – 0 win.
There were some important wins for the mid-table sides as Newham Wanderers pushed themselves up into sixth place in the standings after edging a close game away at Barkingside A. Goals from Amir Gurji, Malam Injai and Robertson Morais were the difference for Wanderers as they won the game 3-2, ‘Side remaining in the bottom two as a result. Just a point behind Newham, Ilford Reserves put a fifth win of the season on the board at the weekend with a solid 2 – 0 home win against Renegade over at London Marathon. Goals by Joseph Sulola and Mario Lipetz forThe Foxes kept them in the mid-table mix, taking their points tally to fifteen while Renegade stay tenth with eleven points from their fourteen games so far.
Just a couple of points further back sits Kwanzas London Sport who started the day six points behind their opponents, Something From Nothing, as those teams met at the Flats. But by full-time, Kwanzas had reduced that deficit to just three points as they beat their top-half opponents by the odd goal in a 2 – 1 victory, Antonio Semedo coming off the bench to score twice. A dramatic high-scoring draw rounds off the division’s action which saw Francis Luke take on high-flying Wanstead at the Marshes on Saturday. The sides combined to produce six goals as Luke took home a crucial point against their lofty opposition with Louison Kamba, Ramar Roberts and Adam Rowe all netting for them in a 3 – 3 scoreline.
DIVISION TWO
Old Esthameians are the new leaders on Division Two following the weekend’s results as they took advantage of the situation to record a big 5 – 1 home win against one of the other promotion contenders, FHN Athletic. That was E’s tenth league win of the campaign and puts them top on goal difference with games in hand too.
The division’s only other win on the day was earned by Royal Forest who continued their journey away from relegation difficulties with an away victory against St Francis at Wanstead Flats. Forest were 5 – 2 winners on the day to take their wins tally to five with still nine games for them to play this term. Forest’s goals came from Joe Meader (2), Joe Owers, Charlie Palline and Joshua Kane. The other three games all ended in draws with previously top of the table Unitey being held to what looked to be an entertaining 4 – 4 draw against tenth placed Redbridge Community, that being a vitally important point for the relegation threatened side. Bubintende Masadi was once again in fine form, scoring a hat-trick for Unitey, though it proved not quite enough to force victory.
Two more of the top half sides were up against each other over in Upminster where Emerson & Upminster Reserves saw the visit of Rainham Working Mens Club, the sides proving well matched in the game. A Tobi Onafeko effort for Emerson was equalled by Joshua Iyen’s strike for Rainham to ensure both teams walked away with a point in a 1 – 1 draw. Over at Hainault Rec, there was a crucial game for hosts Newbury East who were searching for some improved league form against eighth placed Ryan Under 23s. The sides started the day twelve points apart and that was how it remained by full-time with the game ending 2 – 2, Abdurahman Hassan and George Montgomery both netting for East.
DIVISION THREE
Royal Forest Reserves have hit the top in Division Three as they took advantage of results around them to move clear on just goal difference, beating Melbourne Sports at Fairlop in a big game for both clubs. Luc Harpon struck for the Mels but Trees responded with efforts from Dodou Lette, Tom Alexander and Will Asenso to win the game 3 – 1. Just a point behind the leaders, FC Baresi Under 23s had a battle on their hands on Saturday as they came from behind to earn a crucial win with a 4 – 2 victory against Together United in a local derby match. Baresi goals from Zach Aliane, Daniel Adutwum, Marco Perkola and Leo Siki eventually enabled their side to win the game and remain unbeaten as a result.
Old Barkabbeyans Reserves missed the chance to stay top of the table after they dropped points from their trip to seventh placed Buckhurst Way at Bancroft Rugby Club. Kacper Kasprzycki and Robbie Osborne both got on the Old Barks scoresheet but Liam Wallis and Tom Richardson notched for the hosts to ensure they shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw. Over at Oaks Park High School, hosts Terin were looking to recreate their performance from their first win last week but faced the challenge of mid-table ASA. And it was the visitors who came through the game in relative comfort, winning 5 – 2 with Jubayed Miah scoring twice, Ramanan Selvarasa, David Rigby and Irfan Bahadur also netting. Edmund Adade and Ali Mohammed were the Terin scorers in reply.
DIVISION FOUR
There were some huge results at the top of Division Four on Saturday with Flyers Under 21s moving to within two points of the leaders as they defeated top of the table Chingford Harriers in a big 4 – 1 scoreline. Dave Birchnall struck for Harriers but Flyers goals for Bradley McPharlane, Sam Maydell, Jamie Randall and Paul Garrett-Hammond mean this race goes on. Sporting Pillars were the other side to benefit from that first result as they closed the gap on the top two to just two points, with games in hand, to ensure they remain firmly in control of their destiny. They were comprehensive 8 – 2 winners against Dagenham United Reserves, Rayan Allam scoring four for this side along with braces from Emanuel Jacob and Daniel Gutierrez. Cain Dash scored twice in reply for the visitors.
Third placed Fairlop Rovers Reserves missed the chance to cut the gap on the promotion places themselves as they slipped to defeat against an in-form Emerson & Upminster A who built upon their recent cup success by adding a 4 -3 league victory here. Tyler Huggett scored twice and Martin Gray put the gloss on the result to move their side seventh. In the battle of the two sides at the wrong end of the table, there was a rare but important success for Newham Royals who made up one of their games in hand with victory at home against West Essex Under 23s. Matthew Horan scored for West but his goal was just consolation in the end as Royals won 2 – 1 to make it three wins for the season.
COUNTY CUP
Last year’s London Junior Cup finalists, FC Petrocub, are just two performances away from recreating that feat as they came through a tough away day trip to south London to take on Chelsea Rovers on Saturday. But they returned home buoyed by a 3 – 0 winning performance to set up a last eight tie away once again versus Old Plymouthians.
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League and Cup competitions as well from the first matchday of the New Year on Saturday 15 January 2022. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 15 January 2022
DIVISION ONE CUP
The weekend saw a continuation of the Division One Cup action with the line-up for the quarter finals now complete. Tenth placed Barkingside A are into the hat for the last eight, coming away 3 – 1 winners from their trip to Hackney where they faced Francis Luke. Josh Rowe scored twice and Mohamed Sheikhnor once for ‘Side, Kennerly Cassius netting the Luke goal in reply.
Title favourites, Belfry are also safely through to the quarter finals as they beat the traffic and their opponents to run out 5 – 1 winners away at Kwanzas London Sport over in Beckton. Kieran James has been in good form this season and he scored twice, adding to goals from Luke Macdonald, Gabriel Ogunwomoju and Ryan O’Connell.
The third of the cup ties came from Hainault where Ilford Reserves were in action at London Marathon, facing up to an eleventh placed Forest Green side, those two sides separated by three points going into the game. It proved a tight game with just one goal, scored by the Foxes’ Mario-Angelino Lipetz, accounting for a 1 – 0 Ilford victory.
DIVISION FOUR CUP
There was just one tie completed in the Division Four Cup competition as a local derby saw Chingford Harriers make the short trip to face West Essex Under 23s. And the unbeaten league leaders were the happier side, earning a 4 – 2 win through goals from Gerard O’Hara, William Akins, Darlington Ojo and Edwin Jabbari. Deshaun Johnson and Javen Cole both struck for West in consolation.
League Action – SENIOR DIVISION
DT FC remain top of the Senior Division following the weekend’s results, coming through a well contested game away at Leyton Royal with maximum points to secure themselves a 4 – 2 win. Alex Paraskeva scored twice here for Billy Cove’s new side, with Billy Golledge and Kevin Bondjanga also on target for the Harlow based side. They remain unbeaten and take their points tally to thirty-five, four clear of the chasing pack. Moving up to second in the table, Chadwell Heath Spartans kept their hat in the mix for a title tilt, moving four points behind the leaders with a narrow 3 – 2 win away at CSM London. Meer Ishanzadeh and Spencer Forte both got on the CSM scoresheet but their efforts proved ultimately in vain as Harry Payne struck twice in reply and Bradley Downes also netted to take the win for their side.
FC Petroclub have moved level with fourth placed Woodford East following their seventh league success of the season on Saturday as they took their points tally to twenty five for the season with a 3 – 1 win at home against Tower United. Hamsa Hassan struck for Tower but his goal wasn’t enough as they remain in difficulty, eight points adrift of safety. Sixth placed Jolof Sports had a tough fixture ahead of them on Saturday with the visit of FC Baresi to East Ham in their quest for the title. They followed up their defeat last weekend with just a draw this time around as Paul Benfield netted for the visitors on an eventual 1 – 1 draw. Jolof now sit six points behind the sides around them with five games in hand.
Kit Out London closed the gap in the middle of the table to just a point as they saw off the threat of bottom of the table Chigwell Town at London Marathon. Amalraj Kakumanu, Marioz Lazaris, Ayoub Billouche and Keyshawn Greenaway all found the back of the net as Kit Out won the game 4 – 0 to move away from the relegation places. Over at Lakeside, hosts Rapid Chingford were in action, hosting Blue Marlin with both sides still in a dangerous position near the bottom end of the table. A close game saw the points shared with the match finishing level at 1 – 1. Darwin Romero continued his Rapid scoring streak and Ni Acquaye grabbed the Marlin goal in reply to take something from the game.
PREMIER DIVISION
Frenford A returned to the top of the table over the weekend as they edged a close game away at bottom side London Park City, winning 1 – 0 in Seven Kings. Nesar Torkamani scored the only goal of a tight game to move them back to the top on goal difference, earning a ninth league win of the season in the process. There was a shock result involving second placed Dagenham United who slipped to a 2 – 1 defeat in their away visit to ninth placed London Cranes, putting a dent in their title challenge. Moses Kazibwe scored twice for Cranes with Dante Vincent responding for United, giving Cranes a vital three points in their quest to avoid the drop.
Third placed Crookz United have positioned themselves ready to pounce and put in a spirited performance in defeating All Prospects 11 – 0 at Fairlop Oak. Abdouaziz Jeng scored four goals himself here, Anselmo Gomes bagged a hat-trick, Daniel Gbadeyan a brace, with Kevin Osei and Ousama Bousba goals finishing it off convincingly. Wapping sit just a couple of points further back in the table after the weekend’s round of results as they picked up an impressive 3 – 0 home win against Athletic Newham Under 23s to scoop a sixth win of the season. Jordon Mills-Smith was in fine form yet again, scoring twice, with Muhammad Mikaeel striking the other goal. North East Lions inflicted a first league defeat of the season on visitors Oakside, the Walthamstow based side finding a bit of good form in early 2022 to stay in the top half. Lorenc Hoxha and Joseph Goodall both found the back of the net in a solid 2 – 0 win, giving them a sixth league win of the campaign.
DIVISION ONE
There was plenty of drama in Division One where two games ended in exciting 3 – 3 draws involving sides at the top. Top of the table RCXI were held to such a scoreline in their home game against fourth placed Wanstead as Oluwaseun Koya, Michael Temitayo and Ayo Matthews struck for the leaders. But Wanstead took a point as Suhaib Abeid, Dan Gardner and Zoltan Balogh efforts levelled the game. Second placed Cowley Community were also involved in a six goal thriller of their own as they faced local rivals, Something From Nothing, over at the Flats. This one also finished 3 – 3 as Thomas Bergmann (2) and Temi Alaka strikes for SFN were countered by Cowley goals from Elvis Sheta, Michael Taylor and, of course, Chris Wright.
There was one winning scoreline in the division and that saw somewhat of a shock as Renegade’s positive spell of form was rewarded with a 2 – 1 win at home to Newham Wanderers, moving them up four places to eighth. Manuel Sanuo struck for Wanderers but goals from Foday Jaiteh and Kane Knight ensured the Renegade side got the points.
DIVISION TWO
Unitey remain top of Division Two and they continued their good run of form in the last few weeks but securing their tenth league win of the season, defeating St Francis 4 – 1 to reach the thirty point mark. Bubintende Masadi and Ahmed Dousa both scored twice to extend their respective scoring records with Leo Eleftheriou scoring Saints’ sole effort. Third placed Emerson & Upminster Reserves lost a little ground in the race for promotion as they were held to a draw against sixth placed FHN Athletic in the their game in Upminster. Ross Braybrooke got on the Emerson scoresheet to ensure they took a point in a 1 – 1 draw, keeping them well placed. Kieran Mckoy levelled for FHN here.
Old Esthameians made up a little ground with the side above, closing to within a point of Emerson with two games in hand over them, courtesy of a 4 – 2 win at home against Rainham Working Mens Club. Joshua Iyen struck both goals for the Workies but his efforts were not enough as the Newbury Park based hosts ran out winners. There were some crucial wins for teams in the bottom half as Loughton Lions moved 9 points clear of danger after they defeated Newbury East at Oaks Park, edging the game 2 – 1 to make it three wins for the season. Harrison Andrews and Jordan French scored the all important goals, Mohammed Janneh’s effort accounting for East’s consolation.
An equally important result was achieved by Royal Forest who went into their away game against Redbridge Community trailing their opponents by a point in the table. But a 3 – 2 Forest win ensured they leapfrogged their opponents into eighth. Joshua Kane, Joe Owers and Frank Carver all netted for the Trees confirming win number four.
DIVISION THREE
Old Barkabbeyans Reserves remain top of the Division Three table but they had a battle on their hands against bottom side Terin, eventually coming through to win 3 – 1 in Barking. Fahad Abdallah scored for the visitors but host goals from Fabio Balde, Geovany Cruz and Rexheinaldo Dauti ensured the points went their way. Royal Forest Reserves have jumped into second place on goal difference following the weekend’s results, coming through a comfortable 4 – 1 win at home against Flyers Under 23s in Hainault. Tom Alexander was in great scoring form, netting a hat-trick, with Will Asenso striking the other to render Mohammad Miah’s goal as just consolation.
Moving up to third, Lymore Gardens Reserves kept themselves well in the mix for the promotion race with an eighth league win of the season as they beat Buckhurst Way 5 – 1 at the County Ground in Leyton. Omani Green netted twice for the hosts here, with further strikes coming thanks to Ryan Sylvester and Alexander Oludairo. That saw the hosts to twenty five points, just two off the top albeit having played more games than their rivals. Tom Glattback responded for Buckhurst here. The division’s second unbeaten side are FC Baresi Under 23s and they faced a trip to Glendale, flying out of the blocks to establish a 6 – 1 half time lead with Joshua Adu scoring a hat-trick, Zach Aliane, Hamza Hafesji and Kii Jean-Baptiste also netting. The Dales did improve as the game went on with it eventually finishing 6-3. Maryis Shamku, Valter Correia and Seyi Agboola all netted in reply for the Dales.
The division’s final game saw fifth meet seventh with Melbourne Sports the visitors to take on Together United at Peter May in Walthamstow. The two sides were well matched and ended up taking a point apiece, the game ending 2 – 2. Fifi Banin and Stanley Kweya scored for Utd here. With games in hand, both teams remain well in the mix for a promotion tilt in the second half of the campaign.
DIVISION FOUR
There were a shed load of goals in Division Four where Fairlop Rovers Reserves re-established their promotion challenge with a solid home victory against an in-form Flyers Under 21s. A 3 – 2 win for Rovers, their seventh of the season, saw them jump up four places in a really tightly contested top end of the table. Billy Ling and Sam Maydell goals accounted for the Flyers’ strikes. Goals were the order of the day over in Dagenham too where Newham & Havering Borough were facing Dagenham United Reserves once again after their success the last time out. But this time the teams couldn’t be separated with the game ending 3 – 3 at full time, both sides dropping down the table a place or two as a result. Courtney Linton scored twice for Borough here, with Andrew Elie also netting The goals for Utd’s second-side were scpred by Cain Dash, Mamadou Soumare and Imad Khan.
Saving the best for last, a nine goal thriller rounds off the action as Avondale Rangers made the trip over to Upminster to face an Emerson & Upminster A side who were locked on the same points starting the day. A terrific 5 – 4 win for Rangers saw them move clear with Jake Clarke (2), Phillip Heinen, Chris Harper and Blaijan Kitufueni all scoring. Philip Cresswell, Robert McKnight, Ryan Whitton and Tashan Diamond scored the Emerson goals in reply.
COUNTY CUP
There was BBC Essex Premier Cup action for Woodford East with a second trip to Braintree to complete their fourth round tie against Dunmow Town after last weekend’s postponement. A real battle saw Dunmow Town eventual prevail from the tie in a 3 – 1 scoreline.
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League and Cup competitions as well from the first matchday of the New Year on Saturday 8 January 2022. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 8 January 2022
DIVISION ONE CUP
The heavy lunchtime rain over the weekend put paid to a number of fixtures but many did survive as the first divisional cup action of the season took place, Renegade the visitors to Newham Wanderers seeking a place in the quarter finals. A five goal thriller was won by Newham as Otto Bolton, Admir Cassama and Manuel Sanuo scored the goals to win the tie 3 – 2.
SENIOR DIVISION
In the Senior Division, DTFC retain their slender lead at the top of the table as they earned another hard fought win against one of their rivals for the title, beating Jolof Sports 2 – 1 at the Harlow Arena. Cory Ugbomah and Kieran Hipgrave goals proved enough for the unbeaten hosts to make it ten wins from twelve so far this campaign.
Lymore Gardens sit just behind the leaders by two points with the Leyton based side picking up a 4 – 0 victory from their home game against Leyton Royal. Andre Rashford scored twice in the game with Ryo Brown and Tyrique Peters also netting to help their side move into the top two ahead of a crucial period of the season. FC Petrocub also had a great afternoon as they came through a seven goal thriller to beat Tower United 4 – 3 at Mabley Green, earning themselves a move up to fifth in the standings as a result. Abdi Jama, Mustafa Ali and Kayis Mohamed scored the Tower goals but they proved just consolation with their side remaining in the bottom three, eight points adrift of safety.
Another side on the move were Rapid Chingford who took their points tally to seventeen for the season with a solid home win against Chigwell Town over at Lakeside. Constantin Banu scored twice off the bench with Darwin Romero netting the other to secure the points in a 3 – 0 victory, lifting them a couple of places to ninth.
PREMIER DIVISION
Game of the day in the second tier surely has to have been the nine goal thriller in East Ham which saw Dagenham United snatch top spot in the table with a late winner against Athletic Newham Under 23s. Two Shaquille Mathurin efforts plus one each from Jay Fenton, Dante Vincent and Charlie Fiander proved just enough for the visitors to win an entertaining game 5 – 4. The cast of goalscorers for Newham were Derrick Mintah, Rodney Botuli, Bryan Henry and Ciaran Innis. Crookz United were also on the move and made their ascent to third place with a strong home win against the side they were replacing, Wapping. Stephane Trah’s brace along with singles from Steven Tshiamala and Abdouaziz Jeng gave the hosts a 4 – 1 win over in Walthamstow to complete a sixth league win of the season. Jordon Mills-Smith scored the Wapping goal in consolation.
North East Lions profited from results around them to move back into the top half of the standings after they picked up a crucial victory at home against struggling All Prospects at the Peter May Centre. Jonas Borges grabbed the solo Prospects effort but Joseph Goodall scored twice off the bench for Lions with Mikael Martin netting the other to see their side win 3 – 1.
DIVISION ONE
The weather impacted hard in Division One but two games did survive with Forest Green picking up a vital win in a six-pointer against fellow relegation threatened Francis Luke. The sides started the day level at the bottom on six points but Green moved out of the relegation zone by full-time, winning 4-1 despite a Kennerly Cassius goal for Luke. Promotion chasing Wanstead dropped vital points on their return to action in 2022, the fourth placed side being held to a draw by eighth placed Kwanzas London Sport, the sides combining for an entertaining 3-3 draw. Edson Lami scored two and Zoltan Balogh continued their respective scoring streaks from the last calendar year but their efforts could only secure a point for Wanstead.
DIVISION TWO
Division Two has new leaders following the weekend’s results as Unitey took their place at the head of the standings having come through a six goal contest in the Roding Valley derby match, defeating co-tenants Royal Forest in a 4-2 scoreline. Bubintende Masadi has been in great scoring form this season and he netted a hat-trick, David Otley grabbing the other to render Royal goals from Charlie Palline and Huai-Ginn Oliver as just consolation.
Also up a couple of places are Emerson & Upminster Reserves who continued their good form to go second after they came away from Ryan Under 23s with maximum points in a 4-2 win over at Wadham Lodge. Tobi Onafeko scored a hat-trick which combined with an Alex Pizzey strike to take all three points back to Upminster.
Rainham Working Mens Club secured a seventh league win of the season on Saturday with a home win against St Francis, taking them up into the top five of the standings. Cameron Shakes was on target along with Odo Osei-Tutu to earn a solid 2-1 home win against the Saints, the latter remaining six appoints adrift of safety with four games in hand on the side above. The division’s remaining game saw promotion chasing Old Esthameians travel to Loughton Lions in search of further points in their respective chases. The game ended in a 2 – 2 draw with Lions taking a vital point thanks to strikes by William Osmond and Alex Nicoll to move up a place to ninth, steering them clear of imminent danger for the time being.
DIVISION THREE
There are new leaders in Division Three where Old Barkabbeyans Reserves now sit top of the table after picking up their first win of the new calendar year, as they defeated Glendale 4 – 1 at home. They rode out the early storm to take all three points with Robbie Osborne (2), Klodian Meta and Alex Donkor Junior all netting. Maryis Shamku scored the Dales consolation in the second half.
The division’s other game saw a real belter of a game with Flyers Under 23s and ASA combining for ten goals in their clash at King Georges. Deren Kale scored four for Flyers with Mohammad Miah and Kai Eaton efforts accounting for their other efforts in a critical 6 – 4 home win. That result moved them level with the side above with just goal difference keeping them in the bottom two. ASA got their goals courtesy of a double for Ramanan Selvarasa and a goal apiece for Mithurn Vijayarajah and David Rigby.
DIVISION FOUR
Chingford Harriers started the new year in positive fashion, recording a thumping 8 – 1 win at home against struggling Newham Royals to maintain their eight point gap at the summit. Edwin Jabbari was in fine form scoring a hat-trick with Jemel Richards scoring two and one each from Nick Shawyer, Darnell Lamothe and Jake Kemp completing the scoresheet. The race for the runners-up spot is really hotting up with five clubs separated by just two points. Flyers Under 21s presently hold that position and continued their run with a 4 – 1 home win against Emerson & Upminster A at the weekend, earned through a pair of braces from Charlie Portlock and Sam Maydell. Tyler Huggett scored the Emerson goal in reply.
Newham & Havering Borough have pushed themselves up the table with two wins in five days, following up their bank holiday victory with a further win on Saturday as they defeated fellow promotion challengers Dagenham United Reserves. Jack Wood scored twice and Owen Rice once to help Borough win the game 4 – 0. Also sitting on seventeen points are Sporting Pillars who had a top of the table battle of their own as they faced up to previously third placed Fairlop Rovers Reserves at Drapers Field. Sporting were in good form however, improving on their performances of late 2021 with a winning one this time. Rayan Allam and Emanuel Jacob both scored twice to secure a 4-2 victory for the hosts.
End
Fixtures – Saturday 15 January (Top Two tiers of League & Cups only)
EAL Senior Division
Chigwell Town v Kit Out London | London Marathon Sports Ground, Hainault
CSM London v Chadwell Heath Spartans | West Ham Community Ground 3G, Beckton
FC Petrocub v Tower Utd | Noak Hill 3G
Jolof Sports v FC Baresi | Flanders Playing Fields, East Ham
Leyton Royal v DT FC | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields, Hainault
Rapid Chingford v Blue Marlin | Lakeside Sports Ground, RM16
EAL Premier Division
All Prospects v Crookz Utd | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields
London Cranes v Dagenham Utd | Flanders Playing Fields
London Park City v Frenford A | Seven Kings Sch 3G
North East Lions v Oakside | Peter May Centre, Walthamstow
Wapping v Athletic Newham U23 | Victoria Park, E9
Essex Premier Cup R4 – Dunmow Town v Woodford East | Cressing Road (Braintree Town FC)
Division One Cup
Francis Luke v Barkingside A | Hackney Marshes
Ilford Res v Forest Green | London Marathon Spts Grd
Kwanzas London Sport v Belfry | Beckton District Park Sth, E6
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League divisions and action in the Fenton Cup on Saturday 11 December. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Also includes the Fixtures set for Saturday 18th December in the top two divisions, the last action of 2021 in the EAL before the Festive break. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Sat 11 December
FENTON CUP
There was just the one cup tie played involving our clubs and it produced one of the shocks of the season as Division One’s Barkingside A overcame a two division deficit to send Senior side Chadwell Heath Spartans out of the competition. The teams couldn’t be separated during the game with the match finishing 0 – 0. It was ‘Side who then held their nerve from the spot to win the shootout 4 – 3, bagging a place in the quarter-finals.
SENIOR DIVISION
The Senior Division has new leaders approaching the midway point in the season as DTFC’s unbeaten start continued with a 3 – 1 win on the road, beating Blue Marlin to move a point clear of the chasing pack. Billy Golledge scored twice to continue his form with Kieran Hipgrave netting the other to see the Harlow based side move top for the first time this season. Triston Foster responded for Marlin but they remain third-bottom. Lymore Gardens sit just two points behind the leaders, albeit from more games, and they made it a double this season over rivals FC Baresi, earning a 1 – 0 win at the County Ground on Saturday afternoon. Andre Rashford scored the only goal of a close game to earn an eighth win of a solid campaign thus far.
Moving up to fifth place are Leyton Royal who are in a rich vein of form themselves presently and made it six wins for the season from eleven, coming out 3 – 2 winners from their trip to Hackney to face Tower United. That result saw them remain healthily placed in the top half while Tower United remain five points adrift from safety at the foot of the table. That scoreline was reflected over in Noak Hill where CSM London were the visitors to take on FC Petrocub with the two teams starting the day just two points apart in the race to avoid the drop. By full-time however, FC Petrocub had picked up a fourth league victory, winning 3 – 2 despite a goal apiece from Achina Esekiel and Leon Barnard.
The two remaining games saw a pair of draws, firstly as Woodford East and Kit Out London shared the spoils in a 2 – 2 draw at the Marshes which saw East drop a spot in the race for the title. Frank Glock and Andrew Rowe netted for the hosts with Marlon Ortiz and Mario Iazaris striking in reply for Kit Out as they took a vital point. The final game came from Lakeside where Rapid Chingford were at home against Jolof Sports, six points separating those teams as they started the match. And that was how it remained by full time as neither side could find the back of the net in a rare 0 – 0 draw, a result which really doesn’t help either team’s respective causes.
PREMIER DIVISION
In the Premier Division, there was no change at the top of the table where Frenford A made it to twenty five points for the season with a big 6 – 0 win on the day against mid-table Eastside over in Walthamstow. Frenford’s scorers were led by a treble for Keenan Gravillis alongside strikes by Damilola Olaiya, Rafay Khan and Wisley Baltazar. That was an eighth league win for the promotion hopefuls and kept them three points clear of the chasing pack. That pack is headed by Dagenham United who remain well in the mix after they picked up a hard fought 2 – 0 victory at home against London Park City at Castle Green to make it seven wins for the season. Fabio Cunha and David Olanipekun both netted for the hosts to ensure they kept apace at the top of the table.
Crookz United’s form has been very consistent and they sit fourth having only suffered a single reverse in the league so far this season and that record was extended with a home win on Saturday against London Cranes. Muhammad Mutesasira netted for the visitors but his efforts proved not quite enough as Anselmo Gomes, Khalid Madey and Luke Stewart goals handed United a 3 – 1 win. It was a good weekend for the Athletic Newham club as a whole and the Under 23s followed their first team’s lead in picking up an important win, running out 4 – 0 victors from their home game against North East Lions over at Flanders. Christopher Barbosa netted twice for the U23’s here, with further goals by James Runham and Leon Hasani which enabled Newham to jump up a place to seventh, moving above their opponents in the standings.
DIVISION ONE
There were some big results in the race for the title in Division One which remains led by RCXI by two points after they edged a close game against Forest Green, eventually winning 2 – 1 at Belhus Park. Michael Temitayo and Abimbola Ojo both struck the back of the net to give their side a vital three points. The local derby fixture from the Flats saw fourth placed Wanstead take on previously second placed Cowley Community with both sides knowing that a win was vital to continue their quests. And it was the lower placed Wanstead side who ran out winners, sending Cowley to a 3-2 defeat as Zoltan Balogh scored twice and Jake Nicolas once.
And those results ensured that Belfry remain in pole position assuming they take advantage of their games in hand after they made it seven wins in seven to continue their perfect start in the league. They were 4-1 winners at home to Renegade in Dagenham to sit just two points behind the leaders with four games in hand. There was a tremendous performance by Ilford Reserves who closed the gap on the sides above after a terrific 6-1 win on the road on Saturday, defeating Newham Wanderers. Robertson Morais scored for Newham but two Abdul Cheratia goals plus strikes from Jack Newbury-Neale, Mario Lipetz, Joseph Sulola and Raymond Obe ensure the points headed Ilford’s way.
The division’s final game was a real six-pointer at the bottom end of the table as Francis Luke made the trip to Beckton to take on Kwanzas London Sport with both sides knowing the value of a victory. An entertaining game saw the sides combine for eight goals with Kwanzas walking away with a 5-3 win under their belts, Ramar Robert, Lemuel Da Silva and Kennerly Cassius striking the Luke consolation goals.
DIVISION TWO
The big result in Division Two came from Loughton where Fairlop Rovers’ perfect start to the season came to an abrupt end as they were beaten by now second placed Unitey, the sides now level on points at the top. Mohammed Abaker, David Otley and Bubintende Masadi scored the Unitey goals to edge the clash in a 3-2 scoreline. Two of the mid-table sides met as fifth placed Rainham Working Mens Club entertained sixth placed Emerson & Upminster Reserves. The sides started level on points and it was therefore perhaps unsurprising that they could not be separated on the day with the game ending 1-1. Matt Humphreys scored the hosts with Ross Braybrooke notching the Emerson’s effort.
Two sides were able to move away from imminent danger firstly as Ryan Under 23s picked up all three points with a terrific home win against an in-form FHN Athletic side who suffered just a second league defeat. Ryan were 2-1 winners on the day to move level on the points with the side above and further away from relegation worries. There was also a big result for Loughton Lions who moved away from danger themselves with a vital home win against Redbridge Community, coming out on the right side of a 5-4 nine goal thriller. Tom Osmond was the hero with four goals, Owen McKelvey scoring the other to earn the win. Akiljo Balliu scored a hat-trick in reply and Melanijus Butkus one but their efforts proved in vain.
DIVISION THREE
There’s no change at the top of the Division Three standings where FC Baresi Under 23s continue to lead the way by a couple of points after a solid 4-1 win away at their Flyers counterparts. Zach Aliane scored twice along with Mak Delkic and Hamza Hafesji also netting to render a Joshua Adu strike as just consolation for the hosts. With two games in hand, Royal Forest Reserves remain the likeliest threat to the present leaders and they made light work of their trip to ASA, returning home from their trip to Hackney with all three points in a 5-0 scoreline. That result game the Trees a seventh league win in eight this year, remaining unbeaten also heading towards the festive break.
Melbourne Sports’ resurgence in form in the last few weeks has positioned them just outside of the promotion places on goal difference and they extended their form with a 5-2 home victory on Saturday against Together United over at Fairlop Oak. That was the seventh Mels win of the campaign as they reached the twenty-two points mark. Sitting just a point further back, Old Barkabbeyans Reserves kept themselves in the mix with another win under their belts but they had a real battle on their hands as they edged a nine goal thriller against Harlow Inter. Michael Ryder scored a hat-trick with Klodian Meta and Jay Elliott goals rounding off an important 5-4 win for the visitors.
Glendale are up into seventh place, jumping up a couple of places after a third straight win, coming from behind to beat Terin 6 – 2 at Oaks Park High School. Suheil Shekh and Fahad Abdallah goals had given the strugglers a 2-0 early lead but Mouhamed Gueye was in great form with a hat-trick, alongside further Dales goals from Valter Correia, Maryis Shamku and Attila Szabo.
DIVISION FOUR
Dagenham United Reserves took advantage of results around them to cut the gap at the top of the table as they ran out 5-1 winners at home against Newham Royals at Castle Green. Cain Dash scored a hat-trick with Allim Jalloh and Mamdou Soumare efforts making up the remainder of the scoresheet to move United into the top two.
That outcome was made possible as Sporting Pillars made the trip to Chingford Harriers for their return fixture, both sides dropping points in their battles for promotion as they settled for a very rare 0-0 scoreline, both sides unable to breach the defences. That saw Chingford remain unbeaten in the league while Sporting extended their short winless run to three games.
The final game came from Loughton where an in-form Avondale Rangers side were looking to add to their points tally as they faced up to a West Essex Under 23s side. And West will have been the happier of the sides as four Javen Cole goals saw them win 5-3, leaping above Rangers in the process. James Whitbread and Phillip Heinen both struck for Avondale with their consolation efforts.
Fixtures – Saturday December 18th (top two tiers only)
EAL Senior Division
Chigwell Town P – P Chadwell Heath Spartans |
CSM London v Tower Utd | West Ham Community Ground 3G, Beckton
FC Baresi v FC Petrocub | Britannia Sports Ground, Walthamstow
Jolof Sports P – P DT FC |
Jolof Sports v Chadwell Heath Spartans | Flanders Playing Fields, East Ham
Kit Out London v Rapid Chingford | Noak Hill 3G
Leyton Royal v Woodford East | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields
EAL Premier Division
All Prospects v Dagenham Utd | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League divisions and action in the Fenton Cup & Fenton Trophy on Saturday 20 November. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
EAL logo
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Sat 20 November
FENTON CUP
There was further Fenton Cup action this weekend as the first round action came to a close with Jolof Sports at home to Kit Out London, both seeking a place in the last sixteen. A close game saw the two teams finish level at 2 – 2 at full-time, forcing the game into a shootout in which Jolof held their nerve to win it 4 – 2. They now head on to face FC Petrocub in the next round.
In the day’s second round action on an adjoining pitch, two of the league’s Premier Division sides met in East Ham with hosts London Cranes taking on Oakside with a place in the quarter finals the reward for the winner. In an eleven goal thriller, it was ‘Side who eventually prevailed by the odd goal, winning 6 – 5 to confirm a home quarter-final against DTFC. Oakside’s scorers were Brandon Burgess, Kieren Huddart, Jed Ofori, Luke Caston, Demi Elegushi and Mussa Jamanca.
FENTON TROPHY
In the Fenton Trophy, there were four further ties completed with Royal Forest Reserves’ perfect record put to the test as the Division Three leaders faced Division Two St Francis. A very closely fought contest was won by a youthful Saints side as Ross Basunda’s goal proved the pivotal moment in the game in a 1 – 0 victory.
Division Two’s Loughton Lions also had a stern test ahead of them as they welcomed an in-form Melbourne Sports side to Debden for their second round clash. Lions have been in some decent form themselves in recent weeks and progressed with 3 – 1 home victory thanks to strikes by Thomas Osmond, Lucas Maxwell and Jordan French to ensure their run in the cup continued.
Another Division Two side safely through are Rainham Working Mens Club as they navigated what proved to be another very competitive game against Division Three’s Glendale. An own goal midway through the first half of the game in Rainham’s favour proved to be the only scoring moment of the game as the Dales couldn’t convert second half pressure into chances, Rainham winning 1 – 0.
The final game from this competition saw six goals as Together United looked to cause a surprise as they were paid a visit by Division Two’s Unitey at Peter May. But it was the higher placed side who made their advantage count with Bubintende Masadi’s hat-trick doing the damage with Mohammed Abaker and Jordan Vib also finding the back of the net in a 5 – 1 win.
SENIOR DIVISION
There was plenty of Senior Division action too over the weekend, despite some sides being involved in cup action, and Chadwell Heath Spartans opened up a five point lead at the top of the table after coming out on the right side of a 2 – 1 win at FC Baresi. Abdirahman Sabriye struck for the hosts but Jack Evans and Aaron Hunwicks replies for Spartans gave them a crucial three points. Lymore Gardens also took advantage of others being out of action to move into the top four, earning themselves a solid win away at FC Petrocub in Noak Hill. Another close game was settled by the odd goal with Andre Rashford and Dylan Roberts efforts the difference as Garden won 2 – 1, their fifth win of the season so far.
Moving into mid-table, Leyton Royal have joined a cluster of clubs sitting on thirteen points following a terrific win on Saturday, defeating Tower United in a 4 – 0 scoreline at Fairlop Oak. That result saw Royal confirm a fourth league win and with games in hand, could still be pushing for a solid top half finish. For Tower, they remain in the bottom three, four points adrift of safety approaching the half way mark. Not far behind Leyton Royal are CSM London who moved to the cusp of mid-table themselves after a hugely important win at Lakeside, beating Rapid Chingford 5-2 to pick up three points. Munnir Saad scored twice with Kamran Khan, Ramone Senior and Leon Barnard goals completing the win in favour of the visitors.
Just a point behind CSM lie Blue Marlin who moved themselves out of the relegation zone on Saturday with a local derby victory against Chigwell Town in Hainault. The journey of just a few yards proved a fruitful one for Marlin, overcoming a John Lye goal for Town with strikes of their own from Nile Laidlaw and Lindsey Marsh to win it 2 – 1.
PREMIER DIVISION
In the Premier Division, there was a huge result affecting the top end of the table as Wapping produced a top performance to send leaders Frenford A to their first defeat of the season. Meeshaq Malone scored twice and Shahid Ali grabbed the other to overturn the only goal in response by Damilola Olaiya for the visitors and give Wapping a 3 – 1 victory to move second, albeit eight points behind the leaders. The top goal scorers in the division are Eastside with thirty-five so far this campaign and they now sit third after coming through an entertaining game against All Prospects. Michael Dager and Abid Haque scored twice each and Basekou Gassama netted the other to overcome a Prospects fight back to win it 6 – 4. It was also a winning Saturday for another side sitting on thirteen points as Dagenham United continued their promotion push with a solid performance on the road away at London Park City. Iaia Jau netted a brace and Shaquille Mathurin grabbed the other to win 3 – 1, United’s fourth league win and placing them just goal difference away from a spot in the promotion places.
With games in hand, Crookz United are one of the sides who could still spoil the party in the promotion places and presently sit eighth in the table from five games after defeating North East Lions in a 2 – 1 scoreline at Peter May. Ben Joao and John Afrane-Kesey goals were the difference between the side, Mace Johnson striking the Lions consolation off the bench.
DIVISION ONE
Belfry have moved to the cusp of the promotion places once again in Division One as they secured a big win at the Marshes, defeating Francis Luke in a 9 – 0 scoreline. Kieran James was in fine fettle with a five-goal haul for his side with Victor Davis, Warren James, Gabriel Ogunwomoju and Luke MacDonald also scoring to confirm a fifth league win on the spin. Second placed RCXI moved a point closer to the leaders but missed the chance to go top as they were held to a 2 – 2 draw away at Something From Nothing. Despite the eleven point gap between the sides going into the game, SFN put in a solid performance against their promotion chasing opponents to earn a big point.
Wanstead remain well placed to make a charge for promotion, sitting fourth and on the back of another league win, having defeated Barkingside A 5 – 0 at the Flats on Saturday. That win saw the in-form Wanstead move to twelve points, five adrift of the promotion places as Edson Lami’s tremendous form continued with another four goals, adding to Suhaib Abeid’s strike. Just a few goals behind Wanstead sit their local rivals Newham Wanderers who are fifth in the table after seven games following their weekend’s efforts, defeating Forest Green 5 – 1 at Leyton Sixth Form College. Nuno Dentampol netted twice off the bench with Seco Embalo, Robertson Morais and Macane Caleir goals rounding off the scoring.
It was also a good afternoon’s work for Kwanzas London Sport who will hope to build on an excellent result as they defeated Ilford Reserves 2 – 1 in Hainault to pick up their first points of the season. Despite a difficult start, that will give Kwanzas plenty of confidence and saw them move off the bottom, just a point adrift from safety.
DIVISION TWO
The high-scoring Old Esthameians have pushed themselves up into the promotion places following the weekend’s results as they earned a local derby victory at home to strugglers Newbury East, winning the game 5 – 0. That confirmed a fifth win in seven this season and became one of four teams level on fifteen points. Another side in the fifteen point club are Emerson & Upminster Reserves who reached that mark with a home win on Saturday as ninth placed Ryan Under 23s were the visitors to Hall Lane. Tobi Onafeko and Danny Gillham were the scorers in the game for Emerson to edge the game 2 – 1, netting their own fifth league victory in the process. Mekhi Charles-Armstrong got the only goal for the Ryan side here.
There was a five goal thriller in the division’s final game where Redbridge Community were the hosts to an FHN Athletic side, the teams beginning the game just three points apart. But that had increased to six by full time as FHN came through a five goal thriller, winning 3 – 2 thanks to goals from Carl Gbolade, Merrill Appiah and Kieran McKoy.
DIVISION THREE
With the leaders out of action in Division Three, FC Baresi Under 23 took full advantage of that situation by recording maximum points at home to Harlow Inter to go top, edging a tight game 4 – 3. Akins Subair scored twice and Jamal Harvey once for Harlow but two Kii Jean-Baptiste efforts plus goals from Harrez Aliane and Hanza Hafesji gave the points to Baresi.
Lymore Gardens Reserves also took advantage of other sides being out of action to move third in the standings following the weekend’s results as they came through 5-3 winners with Flyers Under 23s. Rob Small struck twice and Warren Isoka, Marcel Destouche and Omani Green one each to render Flyers goals from Kai Eaton, Ethan Sowonola and Aaron Weymouth as just consolation. There was an impressive win for ASA too who made home advantage count with a big 6 – 1 victory against Old Barkabbeyans Reserves at the Marshes, leapfrogging their opponents into the top half of the table. A hat-trick of braces done the damage with Jubayed Miah, Atif Haider and Arun Jeyashankar goals proving the difference, Klodian Meta netting the Old Barks reply.
Also in the top half, Buckhurst Way sit fifth in the standings approaching the half way point in the season, aided by their most recent success as they defeated Terin 3 – 0 at Oaks Park High School. Andrei Rizea, Dolapo Gbadamosi and Segun Dickson struck for the visitors to made it five wins from ten so far this campaign.
DIVISION FOUR
In Division Four, Dagenham United Reserves have moved to within three points of the promotion places after an entertaining away victory on Saturday against sixth placed Emerson & Upminster A where the teams share seven goals. Dagenham came out on the right side of a 4 – 3 win with two Cain Dash goals and one each from Mamadou Soumare and Tyler Leon handing their side the win, despite two Robert McKnight efforts and a Bradlee Birch goal for Emerson.
There was also an impressive win for the division’s third highest scoring side, Avondale Rangers, who picked up their third win of the season with a 4 – 2 win at Newham Royals to move their points tally onto nine. Daniel Bordman, Chris Harper, Mark Hayden and Harry Callagher were the scorers to render Gary Adams and Ashley Evett efforts as just consolation in the end. The remaining league game came from Romford where top half Flyers Under 21s were in action against an in-form Newham & Havering Borough side. The sides starting the day just two points apart and that was how it ended also with the teams sharing the spoils in a 1 – 1 draw. Andrew Elie scored for Newham to add another point to their tally, with Alex Grant responding for Flyers.
COUNTY CUP
Woodford East are into the hat for the next round of the BBC Essex Saturday Premier Cup as they came through a competitive game against May & Baker EC A over in Dagenham. East were 5 – 3 winners on the day, thanks to a brace from Billy Barr and one each for Ben Smith, Lucio Uare and Adam Tabbani. Halil Hassan’s side now face a trip to Dunmow Town in the fourth round in January.
It wasn’t such a successful afternoon for DT FC who saw their unbeaten run come to an end this season with a defeat away at Colne Athletic. They were beaten 4 – 1 against the Essex & Suffolk Border League side to end their run in the competition. In the Essex Saturday Junior Trophy, the delayed tie between Felsted Rovers and Fairlop Rovers finally got played and it was the Mid Essex League hosts who took the honours with a solid 2 – 1 win against a previously unbeaten Fairlop Rovers side.
Fixtures – Saturday November 27th (top two tiers only)
EAL Senior Division
Chadwell Heath Spartans v Jolof Sports | Chigwell Hall
DT FC v FC Baresi | Harlow Arena 3G
Kit Out London v Lymore Gardens | Noak Hill 3G
Rapid Chingford v Leyton Royal | Lakeside Sports Ground
Woodford East v Chigwell Town | Hackney Marshes
EAL Premier Division
Crookz Utd v London Park City | Peter May Centre, Walthamstow
Dagenham Utd v London Cranes | Castle Green Leisure Centre 3G
Eastside v North East Lions | Peter May Centre, W’stow
Oakside v Athletic Newham U23 | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields
Hello and welcome to the latest action from the Essex Alliance League, which continues on this blog this season under the “Guest Blog” strand. This edition looks at the action across the League divisions and action in the Fenton Cup & Fenton Trophy on Saturday 13 November. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Sat 13 November
FENTON CUP
The Remembrance Weekend Fenton Cup action saw probably the biggest shock of the season so far as Division One’s RCXI put in a memorable performance to beat Senior Division opposition, Tower United, in a 6 – 2 scoreline. Abubakar Maxamed scored ttwice for Tower but RC went through with Michael Temitayo netting a hat-trick. Oluwaseun Koya, Sammy Anjorin and Jide Lewis also scored to complete an excellent win to send them into the quarter finals. Also into the hat for the quarter finals are DTFC as they came through a close battle with their fellow Senior Division front-runners, Woodford East, at Hackney Marshes. It took just one goal to separate the sides on the day and that came from the boot of Stanley Green who ensured his team kept their cup run going, winning 1 – 0.
There was some entertainment at Leyton County Ground where Lymore Gardens and FC Baresi met for an all-Senior Division clash in the first round. Lymore had raced into a lead with two Andre Rashford goals and a Rio Brown effort. But a Paul Benfield hat-trick sparked a Baresi fight back to make it 3 – 3 and take the game to a penalty shootout. Lymore held their nerve to win an epic encounter 8 – 7.
In the other game played in the Cup, Division One’s high-flyers Belfry made the trip to Walthamstow to take on Premier Division’s Crookz United for a place in the second round. Despite a Warren James goal for the visitors, Crookz made their higher league placing count and secured a 4 – 1 win thanks to strikes by Khalid Madey, Anselmo Gomes, Kevin Osei and Abdouaziz Jeng, going through to the next round.
FENTON TROPHY
There were two all-Division Two clashes in the weekend’s Fenton Trophy action where Royal Forest overcame a side placed six points ahead of them in the shape of Emerson & Upminster Reserves, defeating their top half opponents in a 4 – 1 win. Josh Owers scored twice for Forest with Frank Carver and Harry Killick netting the others to head into the quarter finals and overturn a solitary Tobi Onafeko goal for Emerson.
Joining Forest in the last eight of the competition are Old Esthameians who faced a Ryan Under 23s side sitting a few places below them in the standings but constructed a seven goal thriller between them at Wadham Lodge. Old E’s came through a close game with a narrow 4 – 3 to book their place in the last eight.
SENIOR DIVISION
There was a change at the top of the Senior Division table once again on Saturday with Chadwell Heath Spartans taking full advantage of the previous top two being in cup action as they edged a close game at home to CSM London. Two Jack Evans goals overcame a Ramone Senior effort for the visitors to give Spartans a 2 – 1 win. There was an important three points for Blue Marlin in the race to avoid the drop as they saw the visit of fellow strugglers Rapid Chingford to Fairlop Oak. Scott Campbell struck a brace and Lewis Forman netted off the bench to edge a close game 3 – 2. That saw Marlin move up a place to twelfth, just one point shy of safety.
The final game in the division was a real thriller as previously point-less Chigwell Town were on the road with a visit to FC Petrocub seeking to address that situation. The two teams battled their way to a 3 – 3 draw by full-time with Harry Tew-Robinson scoring twice and Joe Creasey once for Town to secure their first point of the campaign.
PREMIER DIVISION
The Frenford A express train is really beginning to motor at the top of the Premier Division and they now lead the way by nine points after putting ten goals past All Prospects in a 10 – 1 result. Damilola Olaiya has been in fine scoring form and he struck a hat-trick with Daniel Francis, Malachi Hercules and Isimia Iguisi scoring twice each and Keenan Gravillis once to earn another win.
Athletic Newham Under 23s are one of a number of sides who do have games in hand on the leaders to cut the deficit and they’re now up to third in the standings following a solid 2 – 0 win at home against bottom of the table London Park City. Goals from Amilcar Abrantes and Nathaniel Adjei saw Newham move to eleven points having just been beaten once in the league this term. Moving second, North East Lions’ first half of the season has been a little up and down but they did get back to winning ways with a important 1 – 0 win away at Dagenham United. Adnan Miah was the scorer of that only goal of the game to give Lions a fourth league win while sending United to just a second league defeat this term.
Two of the other sides in the top half, Eastside and Wapping, met in the division’s final fixture with the teams beginning the day just a point apart. A close game saw the sides finish level at 2 – 2, preserving Wapping’s advantage over ‘Side for the time being. Junior Mandeng-Fotabong and Basekou Gassama scored for Eastside here, with Jordan Mills-Smith and Kamrul Ahmed efforts on target for Wapping to help side secure a point.
DIVISION ONE
In Division One, Cowley Community put themselves top of the table, jumping above their previous top two who were both in cup action, earning a sixth league win in seven this season in a 5 – 2 win against Francis Luke. Jose da Silva netted twice for the visitors but Cowley goals from Kyle Cargill (2), Inarhu Martin, Michael Taylor and Chris Wright were enough to take the points. Newham Wanderers have moved into the top half and onto nine points as their endeavours were successful on Saturday, defeating an in-form Wanstead side 4 – 2 in a local derby match. Malam Injai scored a hat-trick and Joao Cruz struck the other to render Wanstead efforts in reply as just consolation.
That scoreline was mirrored not too far away as Forest Green were the hosts to a Something From Nothing side with the latter starting the day a place below their opponents. But that had all changed by full-time as SFN won 4 – 2 courtesy of two Khai Bailey goals plus efforts from Thomas Bergmann and Micah Innocent. Mickel Smith and Darren Gillings struck in reply for Green.
And two further sides who swapped places in the table were Renegade and Barkingside A as the former increased their league wins tally to two with a 2 – 0 home victory against ‘Side at the Marshes. Nana Baah and Alwi Salah goals were the difference to the home side as they moved up to seventh on the back of this victory.
DIVISION TWO
The game of the day in Division Two was the battle of the top two as Rainham Working Mens Club went out with the hopes of cutting the lead on Fairlop Rovers at the top. But things didn’t quite pan out that way as Harry Oliver and Dylan Scutt goals were enough to see Rovers win 2 – 1, despite a Nathan Wilson strike for the hosts, extending the leaders’ advantage to nine points. Unitey are now third in the table and just goal difference keeps them out of the promotion places after a comprehensive 6 – 1 win against Loughton Lions in a local derby. Taylor McLaughlin was on targets for Lions but a Bubintende Masadi hat-trick and singles from Eddy Litambolo, Ahmed Dousa and Matthew Surry confirmed victory for the hosts.
It was also a good afternoon’s work for St Francis who opened their points and wins account at just the second attempt, defeating winless Newbury East at Oaks Park High School in a 2 – 1 scoreline. Theo Jacobs-Aaron and Ross Basunda goals were the difference on the day between the teams as Saints moved up a place to eleventh, just a point from safety with plenty of games in hand. Mohammed Janneh responded for Newbury here.
DIVISION THREE
The gap at the top of Division Three remains at just two points after leaders Royal Forest Reserves kept up their perfect record with another win against Buckhurst Way, defeating their opponents 4 – 0 at Bancroft Rugby Club. Sereign Lette-Jallow struck twice alongside goals from Tom Alexander and Richard Grove. And just a couple of points back, FC Baresi Under 23s kept up the pressure on the leaders with their fifth win of the season as they returned home from Old Barkabbeyans Reserves with all three points in a 3 – 0 win. Kii Jean-Baptiste was the man in form on the day and he scored all three goals for Baresi on a memorable afternoon.
The in-form Melbourne Sports are up to third place with five league wins of their own this term, coming from behind twice in the game against Glendale to win 6 – 2 in one of the league’s oldest derby matches. Two Dave Hennessey goals had given Glendale a lead at the break but a superb second half performance from the Mels broke their opponents’ resistance to take the win.
Together United’s sparkling form has seen them climb as high as sixth in the standings now and they made it four wins from five on Saturday with a 5 – 2 against Lymore Gardens Reserves at Hainault Rec, despite Omani Green’s goal. Utd’s scorers were led by a double from Stanley Kweya with strikes by Carnell Marcel, Issac Clarke and Fifi Banin & the result sees Together go level on points with fourth-placed Old Barks and just four off the promotion pace with a game in hand.
It was a good afternoon for ASA also as they put six goals past their opponents, Flyers Under 23s, as the sides met at Hackney Marshes. Jubayed Miah scored a hat-trick for his side adding to efforts from Saigeethan Senthan, Mithurn Vijayarajah and Ramanan Selvarasa to confirm a solid 6 – 2 victory for the eighth placed side. Joshua Adu and Kai Eaton replied for Flyers in this match.
DIVISION FOUR
After a couple of winless afternoons for Chingford Harriers, they returned to form on Saturday with a solid victory at Emerson & Upminster A, defeating the mid-table side 2 – 1 to go two points clear at the top. Darlington Ojo’s form in front of goal continued and Cedric Onchuru grabbed the other with Ritchie Weeks coming off the bench to net Emerson’s consolation effort.
Sporting Pillars are third in the table and with games in hand as they added to their points tally with a win against Avondale Rangers on Saturday, winning 9 – 3. Daniel Gutierrez scored four and Rayan Allam three with Ousmany Dibaga and Gavin Afriyie finishing things off. Jake Clarke, Chris Harper and Blaijan Kitufueni all netted in reply for Rangers.
The Reserves of Dagenham United are in some fine form at present and sit fourth on the back of their most recent success, a 2 – 1 home victory against West Essex Under 23s at Castle Green. Cain Dash scored twice to set up his side for a winning performance, overcoming Javen Cole’s goal from the visitors. With results around them going in their favour, Flyers Under 21s excellent recent form has now seen them move into the top half, moving fifth after a terrific 4 – 0 win against Newham Royals at King Georges. Bradley Maycock struck twice with Harry Cossington and Jack Atherton goals completing the scoresheet on the day.
Fixtures – Saturday November 20th (top two tiers only)
EAL Senior Division
Chigwell Town v Blue Marlin | London Marathon Sports Ground
FC Baresi v Chadwell Heath Spartans | Britannia Sports Ground, Walthamstow
FC Petrocub v Lymore Gardens | Noak Hill 3G
Leyton Royal v Tower Utd | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields, Hainault
Rapid Chingford v CSM London | Lakeside Sports Ground
EAL Premier Division
All Prospects v Eastside | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields
London Park City v Dagenham Utd | Seven Kings Sch 3G
North East Lions v Crookz Utd | Peter May Centre, Walthamstow
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