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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 12 February. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission. Thanks for reading. Photo by Peter Dudley [@ped1980], used with thanks.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
With additional reporting by Scott W
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 12 February
The season’s quarter final line up in the Fenton Cup is now complete with Jolof Sports becoming the eighth team to qualify as they came through a tough home encounter against FC Petrocub in East Ham. The holders, Jolof, were narrow 1 – 0 winners to book another home game, this time against Division One high-flyers RCXI in the coming weeks.
The day’s Fenton Trophy action saw another quarter final tie completed with two of Division Two’s sides meeting at Wanstead Flats as St Francis played host to Rainham Working Mens Club. A close game saw the sides finish level at 2 – 2 by full-time with Nick and Sean Tormey goal for the Workies equalled by Saints goals from Bora Alici and Skye Salmon. Rainham held their nerve in a 4-2 shootout win to go through to the semi finals.
DIVISION FOUR CUP
The Division Four Cup also saw quarter final action as Newham Royals were up against Flyers Under 21s with the two sides battling for a place in the last four. But it was the Romford based Flyers side who were imperious on the day as Bradley Maycock scored twice, with Sam Maydell, Max Wellard and Jamie Randall efforts completing a 5 – 0 win to send their side through.
Another round of close games were witnessed in the Senior Division where DTFC came through a thriller against Rapid Chingford with their bottom half opponents playing their part in a nine-goal game. Andrei Boga scored a hat-trick and Bogdan Galan also netted to give their Rapid side hope but DT FC were able to maintain their lead at the top to win it 5 – 4 through goals from Stanley Green (2), Bailey Hossack, Billy Golledge and Robbie Farrell.
Second placed Chadwell Heath Spartans remain four points adrift of the leaders with a key battle between those sides still to come as they came from behind to take a win against previously third placed Lymore Gardens in Chigwell. Ryo Brown scored for Lymore but two late Harry Payne goals were the difference to win the game 2 – 1 in Spartans’ favour. My good friend Pete Dudley was there watching this one & his report is here: http://pedroslocalfootiefix.blogspot.com/2022/02/chadwell-heath-spartans-2-lymore.html
Woodford East took advantage of that result also to shift up a place to third and with games in hand but had a tough battle of their own against an improving Chigwell Town side in Hainault, East eventually prevailing in a 3 – 2 scoreline. Billy Barr, Connor Brathwaite and Liam Adams all struck to render Town goals from Mark Howe and Harry Tew-Robinson as just consolation. Completing the action from the top flight, FC Baresi were in good form on Saturday as they returned home with East Ham with all three points in a 4 – 1 scoreline against CSM London. Plamedi Kinkela notched for CSM but Baresi goals in reply from Raymond Pok (2), Tyreece Robertson and Abdisamad Mohamed were more than enough.
There were some big results affecting the sides at the top of the Premier Division in the race to Step 7 for next season with Frenford A earning their eleventh win of the season with a 3 – 1 win away at North East Lions on Saturday. Callum Alexander, Keenan Gravillis and Damilola Olaiya scored for the league leaders with Andriano Lawson striking in reply for Lions with their consolation effort. It was also second versus third with Dagenham United travelling west to take on Wapping in Hackney knowing only a win would do to stay in the race for the title. A win was what they walked away with, putting a difficult run behind them to win 4 – 1. Dante Vincent struck twice, Charlie Fiander and Shaquille Mathurin also netting to render a Jordon Mills-Smith effort as just consolation for the hosts.
Another of the season’s promotion contenders, Oakside, had an away trip before them as they travelled down the A406 to East Ham to face London Cranes. The sides were well matched with a 1 – 1 draw the end result as the sides settle for a share of the spoils, that point being enough to move ‘Side into the top five. Luke Caston grabbed the visitor’s goal with Isa Mwebe bagging for Cranes.
It was a busy day in Division One with all twelve sides in league action and Belfry put in their usual winning performance to remain the county’s highest placed side with a perfect record. They were 6 – 1 winners against Forest Green with Warren James netting two and further strikes from Dan Osborne, Kieron James, Sam Paterson and Solomon Ogunwomoju completing the victory.
Cowley Community went into their clash at the weekend against Barkingside A with two huge games head of them and done the job to confirm a tenth league win prior to those clashes, winning the game 2-1. Chris Wright and Lekan Bakare were the men on target for the Newbury Park based side to pick up that win ahead to two season defining fixtures. James Blewitt got the solitary reply for the visitors. RCXI remain well placed to sweep up should either of the top two slip up in their remaining games and sit just one point outside of the promotion zone after a terrific 1 – 0 win against another of their promotion contenders, Wanstead. Jide Lewis got the only goal there to give his side a ninth league of a sterling first campaign in the competition.
Another side in a good run of form are Ilford Reserves who made it eight wins from fourteen this season on Saturday with a big 7 – 2 victory against bottom of the table Francis Luke over at the Marshes. Ramar Roberts scored two goals for the hosts but Foxes efforts from Joshua Graham, Luke Newbury-Neale, Mario-Angelino Lipetz, Jack Newbury-Neale, Joseph Sulola, Serghei Scupoi and Ollie Miracco gave their side another win.
There was also an impressive victory for the boys at Kwanzas London Sport who moved up a place above their opponents, Renegade, after completing a 4 – 1 win at the Marshes to steer well clear of relegation worries, despite a Nana Baah goal for the hosts. That was Kwanzas’ fifth league win this season which gives them an eight point lead over the sides in the relegation zone. The Wanstead Flats derby match ends the round-up from the third tier as Something From Nothing were in home action against local rivals Newham Wanderers. The sides started just two points apart and remained that way by full-time as they settled for a point apiece in an eventual 1 – 1 draw which keeps both sides solidly placed in mid-table.
In Division Two, Unitey have moved into a three point lead at the top of the table as they came through a tough game against promotion contenders, FHN Athletic, edging the contest 3 – 2 to scoop an eleventh league win. Matthew Pitchford, Bubintende Masadi and Ahmed Dousa all found the back of their net to help their side take maximum points. There was an important result at the other end of the table too where Redbridge Community steered themselves clear of the imminent danger of relegation by picking up three points in a 2 – 1 win against Loughton Lions who are now just one point ahead of Redbridge. Dylan Broadley scored both of the goals to give his side the best chance of avoiding the drop.
The picture at the top of the Division Three table is looking a little different after the weekend’s results as Old Barkabbeyans Reserves remain a point clear at the top following a 4 – 1 away win against Lymore Gardens Reserves in Leyton. Michael Ryder drove in a couple of goals with efforts from Robbie Osborne and Mitchell Day completing the scoring for the leaders.
It was second versus third in the division’s other big game where FC Baresi Under 23s were the visitors to take on Royal Forest Reserves in a hotly contested game at Fairlop Oak. The Trees led 2 – 0 early on through Will Casasola and Will Asenso but Baresi battled back and took victory with crucial strikes from Kii Jean-Baptiste, Joshua Adu and Joshua Matusa winning the game 3 – 2.
Melbourne Sports are up to fourth, taking advantage of results around them to close the gap on the leading clubs after picking up a solid 6 – 2 win from their trip to Newbury Park to take on Terin. Suheil Shekh and keeper Francis Hastings were accredited with the Terin goals but the Mels struck back with a Scott Duke treble, a brace from Ryan Lincoln and one from James Chamberlain to take the points. Sitting just inside the top half, Together United followed up their impressive win last weekend with another this time out as they defeated Glendale at Fairlop Oak in a tight game. Together led 2 – 0 early, capitalising on individual errors before Roland Farkas’ first Glendale goal pulled them back in it. The Dales fought hard to nick an equaliser and went close but the visitor’s defence hung on.
Buckhurst Way are also on the cusp of the top half once again as they responded well to their recent defeat to take all three points from their fixture against Flyers Under 23s at Bancroft Rugby Club. They were 3 – 1 victors in that game to sit just goal difference from a place in the top six with five games of their season left.
The battle for the Division Four is on a knife edge following the weekend’s results which saw Fairlop Rovers Reserves move to the summit following a second win in succession against Chingford Harriers who moved down to third on the back of their 2 – 0 defeat. Rovers’ tenth league win sees them go a point clear with three games left to go.
Sporting Pillars are lurking with intent in second with mathematics in their favour now as their ninth league success on Saturday saw them to within one point of the summit, coming away 7 – 1 winners against West Essex Under 23s, with the ensemble cast being led by doubles for Gavin Afriyie and David Dagun, with Rajai Millwood, Daniel Gutierrez and Yanis Allam also finding the net. With two games in hand on the leaders, they can now move top if they were to win those games in hand so everything still to play for.
Fixtures – Saturday 19 February (top tier only)
EAL Senior Division
Blue Marlin v Chigwell Town | Fairlop Oak Playing Fields, Hainault
Chadwell Heath Spartans v Woodford East | Chigwell Hall
FC Baresi v CSM London | Britannia Sports Ground, 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Trophy on Saturday 27 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 27 November
There was just one Fenton Trophy tie played over the weekend where Division Two’s runaway leaders, Fairlop Rovers, were the visitors to Division Three’s Lymore Gardens Reserves with the higher ranked side safely booking their place in the last eight with a 12-1 win. Ellis Simmonds and Jack Kibblewhite netted hat-tricks, Harry Oliver scored two and one each from Logan Simmonds, Kian Millward-Burton, George Birch and Bailey White completed the scoring with Marcel Destouche netting the Lymore goal in reply.
The lead at the top of the Senior Division remains at five points after leaders Chadwell Heath Spartans put in a sterling performance to end Jolof Sports’ unbeaten record, winning the game 4 – 2 over in Chigwell. Jonathan Evans scored a hat-trick for the Spartans with Janel Alexander scoring the other in an important win. The chasing pack sees two sides level on twenty-three points with Woodford East’s goal difference advantage keeping them clear in second, aided by their most recent success, a 3 – 1 home win against Chigwell Town. Ellis Morgan scored for Town but his efforts were in vain with Joe Kemp, Ben Smith and Adam Tabbani goals for East carrying them to victory at the Marshes.
Making up the top three are DT FC who, with games in hand, will still be expecting to pose the biggest threat to the destination of the title. They were up against FC Baresi at the Harlow Arena on Saturday and two goals from Emmanuel Chitongo off the bench plus strikes from Billy Golledge, Kieran Hipgrave and a long range effort from goalkeeper Alex Jennings helped them win 5 – 2. Paul Benfield and Tyreece Robinson efforts accounted for the visitors’ consolation goals. Lymore Gardens sit just outside of the top three by a couple of points but still with a big say on how things progress after they scooped a sixth win of the campaign, defeating Kit Out London 3 – 0 at Noak Hill to keep pace at the top. Tyrique Peters scored twice and Benjamin Sumaili once as their goals proved the difference between the teams. The division’s remaining game saw two close rivals come together at Lakeside Sports Ground where Rapid Chingford were the hosts to a Leyton Royal side looking to avenge a narrow defeat earlier in the campaign. It was another close game, this time in favour of Leyton who won 2 – 1 to move into the top six.
Additional Midweek match – FC Baresi defeated Blue Marlin 1 – 0 in a rare midweek match played at Barking FC’s Mayesbrook Park.
The Premier Division title race has suddenly tightened up at the top with Wapping now just two points off the pace of the leaders on the back of their huge 15 – 1 victory on Saturday against All Prospects. Jordan Mill-Smith was in fine form with a six-goal performance, Shamsun Noor struck a hat-trick while Kamrul Ahmed, Mohammad Asrar, Joshua Morris, Meeshaq Malone, Yusuf Nasir and Aminur Rahman goals finished it off.
Just a further point back in the race for silverware and promotion, Dagenham United made it five wins from eight in the league with a solid home win against a decent London Cranes side at Castle Green. Iaia Jau’s brace set them on their way with Dante Vincent and Fabio Cunha goals completing a 4 – 2 in United’s favour. Fifth placed Crookz United are in a strong position to contend for honours themselves with games in hand and moved into the top half of the table on Saturday with a terrific 7 – 2 home win against London Park City in Walthamstow. Utd had Luke Stewart to thank for his four-goal haul here, with further goals from Anselmo Gomes, Andrew Appiah and Steven Tshiamala enabling the hosts to pick up a fourth league win in six as they continue their own quest for success.
The only side with a perfect and unbeaten record in the division are Oakside who are sitting in seventh place after a hard fought 1-0 win at the weekend at home to Athletic Newham Under23s. That result made it four wins from four for the Hainault based side with a number of games in hand against the sides above them. The remaining game in the division saw fourth placed Eastside and sixth placed North East Lions meet in a local derby game at Peter May, both keen to press on up the table albeit with other sides having more games in hand. The point gap between the teams pre-match remained the same by full time as they had to settle for a 1 -1 draw, Adnan Miah netting the Lions goal and Ifeanyi Umeh scoring for ‘Side.
It’s all change yet again at the top of Division One as the leaders were in cup action, allowing RCXI to take advantage to move top themselves on the back of a 3 – 2 home win against Renegade in Aveley. Ayo Matthews, Harold Ofori and Stephen Duberry all found the back of the net to give the hosts a sixth league win of the campaign. Daekwon King-Douglas and Nana Baah scored for Renegades. Wanstead have moved to within three points of the promotion places in the division, doing so after scooping themselves a big away victory on Saturday, returning home with the points in a 5 – 0 win at Kwanzas London Sport. James Robjant, Robert Clarke, Dan Gardner, Suhaib Abeid and Edson Lami were all on target to make it five wins in six in the league.
There were some hugely important wins for sides in the bottom half where Something From Nothing moved to the cusp of a top half position with a 3 – 2 win at co-tenants Newham Wanderers. Robertson Morais and Nuno Dentampol both found the net for Newham but their efforts were not quite enough as Cyril Pluche, Oscar Walton and Micah Innocent goals gave SFN victory. Barkingside A are another side who will be pleased with their weekend’s efforts as they picked up three vital league points with a win at bottom of the table Francis Luke. Luke goals from Adam Rowe and Tito Sijuwade proved just consolation as ‘Side won the game 4 – 2 to earn their side a third league win of the season, moving to eighth place.
Another side who will hope to build upon their weekend performance are Forest Green who despite not having had the best of starts in the league, picked up a important win against Ilford Reserves, overcoming a six point deficit on their opponents in the process. Green were 3 – 0 winners at Leyton Sixth Form College to give themselves a little cushion on the sides below them.
Division Two was one of many goals on Saturday and with the leaders in cup action, the focus was on the chasing pack with things looking very tight. Old Esthameians are now second in the standings as one of three clubs on eighteen points, their tally extended with a 4 – 2 win at home against Redbridge Community, who responded through goals from Abbas Osman and Melanijus Butkus. Sitting in third position are Unitey who hold that position on goal difference after a terrific win against an in-form St Francis side at Roding Valley High School. Bubintende Masadi extended his recent scoring record by netting twice with Ahmed Dousa, Matthew Pitchford and Matthew Surry goals seeing their side to a solid 5 – 0 win.
Also part of the eighteen point club are Emerson & Upminster Reserves who had an interesting afternoon and fell 3-0 down to bottom of the table Newbury East through goals from Bhajandip Purewal, George Montgomery and Rafai Bentick. But they amazingly found the strength to claw their way back and ended up winning it 4 – 3 with Archie Pitfield scoring twice off the bench to go with efforts from Reece Martin and Tobi Onafeko. FHN Athletic are well in the frame for promotion themselves and sit just a couple of points back on the chasing clubs as they won at home against Rainham Working Mens Club to leapfrog their opponents in the process. Merrill Appiah scored twice and Terron Fordjoe once to overcome a Joshua Iyen goal for the visitors, FHN therefore confirming a 3 – 1 win.
There has been plenty of entertainment value in Ryan Under 23s’s recent fixtures and this week’s was no exception as they shared a ten goal thriller against Loughton Lions, the teams beginning the day just two points apart. And that is the way it stayed as they drew incredibly 5 – 5 in a result which really doesn’t aid either side’s chances. Loughton’s scorers were Thomas Osmond with a hat-trick with Harrison Andrews and Taylor McLaughlin also on target.
It was first versus third in Division Three where an entertaining game saw Melbourne Sports romp into a 3-0 lead against leaders FC Baresi Under 23s in Hainault. But the Mels couldn’t quite hang on to take three points as Baresi responded with goals from Maamoon Khan, Zach Aliane and Ronnie Kabongo to take a 3 – 3 draw by full time. Old Barkabbeyans Reserves were able to take advantage of that result to close the gap on the sides above them, now sitting just three points outside of the promotion places after edging a tight game at home against Together United. Geovany Cruz, Robbie Osborne and Jalen Davis efforts were just enough to give Barks a 3 – 2 win.
There was a third league win of the season for Glendale who made the trip to Buckhurst Way with eight points separating the sides going into the game. But that was cut to five by full time as Dales goals from Maryis Shamku, Seyi Agboola, Mo Fadel-Mboupe and Mouhamed Gueye gave them a 4 – 2 win, despite Way threatening a comeback in the second half through strikes by Joey Butcher and Dolapo Gbadamosi. The goals were also “flying” in down at King George’s in Romford where Terin were the visitors to take on Flyers Under 23s with the bottom two sides battling it out to move closer to safety. The accolades went to Flyers who scored seven in a 7-1 win Kai Eaton (2), Deren Kale, Joshua Adu, Rafin Alam, Mohammad Miah and Aaron Weymouth. Fahad Abdallah scored the Terin goal in reply.
There were some big results affecting the top of the Division Four standings where Chingford Harriers became the only unbeaten side as they were triumphant against an in-form Dagenham United Reserves side, beating their rivals 3 – 1. Suleman Yusuf, Darnell Lamothe and Jake Kemp all netted for Harriers with Mamadou Soumare responding for United. Avondale Rangers produced what must be their best performance of the season as they took an second placed Fairlop Rovers Reserves and won an entertaining twelve goal thriller 7 – 5. Debutant Fraser Bolton scored a hat-trick, Liam Cole also scoring a hat-trick himself as Harry Callagher finishing things off to give Rangers a fourth league win.
Flyers Under 21s also produced one of their best results of the season to end Sporting Pillars’ unbeaten record in the division in a 4 – 3 victory, moving level with their opponents. Two Jamie Randall goals and a Frederick Every effort accounted for the Flyers goals with two Emanuel Jacob goals and a Kain Betty effort giving Pillars their consolation goals. There was also an important win for Emerson & Upminster A who faced up to a trip to West Essex Under 23s with a three point deficit on their opponents. Their trip proved to be a fruitful one however as they recorded a 2 – 0 win with Tyler Huggett scoring both goals in the game to move level on nine points with West.
In the Essex Junior Cup, Frenford A faced a trip up the M11 to the very north of the county as they took on Cambridgeshire County League based side Debden in the fourth round. Frenford were on the wrong end of a narrow defeat however, going down 2-1 to see their run in the competition ended.
There was all-EAL clash in the Essex Junior Trophy as Belfry renewed old acquaintances with Cowley Community. With the two sides already going hammer and tong in the league, it was Cowley who secured progression in this county cup tie, edging the game 2-1 to go through. Completing the weekend’s action, FC Petrocub continued their passage in the London Junior Cup as they successful in their third round clash against Middlesex County League based Hilltop Reserves. Petrocub won 2-0 at Hainault Rec to progress through to the fourth round after being finalists last season.
Fixtures – Saturday December 4th (top two tiers only)
EAL Senior Division
Chigwell Town v Tower Utd | London Marathon Sports Ground
CSM London v DT FC | West Ham Community Ground 3G, Beckton
FC Baresi v Raid Chingford | Britannia Sports Ground, Walthamstow
Jolof Sports v Woodford East | Flanders Playing Fields, East Ham
Kit Out London v Blue Marlin | Noak Hill 3G
Leyton Royal v FC Petrocub | Lakeside Sports Ground
Lymore Gardens v Chadwell Heath Spartans | Leyton County Ground, E10
EAL Premier Division
Frenford A v Athletic Newham U23 | The Jack Carter Centre
London Cranes v All Prospects | Flanders Playing Fields
London Park City v Oakside | Seven Kings Sch 3G
North East Lions v Dagenham Utd | Peter May Centre, W’stow
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
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Sat 20 November
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the Essex Premier Cup as EAL sides joined sides from EOFL & ESBL as well as other divisions on Saturday 16 October. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission with additional reporting by Scott W. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Sat 16 October
FC Baresi were the weekend’s biggest movers in the Senior Division as they took advantage of results around them to move sixth in the standings, earning a 4 – 2 away win at Blue Marlin in Hainault. Tyreece Robinson bagged two for the visitors with Abdisamad Mohamed and Raymond Pok goals completing the victory.
There were two close games in the other fixtures completed where JolofSports saw their perfect start come to an end with the points shared in their trip to LymoreGardens, Jolof conceding their first goals of the season in the process. The Lymore scorers were Braley O’Donovan and Tyrique Peters in a 2 – 2 result that saw Lymore move level with two other teams on fourteen points while Jolof sit a point further back in fifth position.
The Noak Hill derby match also saw a very closely fought contest as the two tenants of the ground, FC Petrocub and Kit Out London, faced off with both seeking to break into the top half of the table. The game ended in another score draw with the sides settling for a share of the spoils, finishing 2 – 2, to stay ninth and seventh respectively.
The league leaders were back in action at the weekend and Frenford A extended their advantage at the top to six points on the back of a 2 – 0 win at home against North East Lions. Damilola Olaiya struck both of the goals for the hosts which saw them record a fifth league win in six, keeping them as the favourites for the title at present.
It was a good afternoon for Dagenham United who took advantage of results around them to move second on goal difference though they did have a real battle on their hands facing fellow promotion chasing Wapping. Debutant Jordan Mills-Smith struck twice for Wapping but his efforts were in vain as Lewis Bennett, Shaquille Mathurin and Iaia Jau all netted to edge it 3 – 2 in favour of United.
Oakside remain unbeaten following their second league fixture of the season on Saturday as they completed a solid victory at home against London Park City in Hainault. They added a 3 – 1 win here, with Mussa Jamanca and Demi Elegushi among their scorers to take a place in the top half of the table while City remain eleventh and without a point so far.
There was a local derby game in East Ham over the weekend where London Cranes took on Athletic Newham Under 23s at Flanders. And it was London Cranes who turned the tables on it head, ending Newham’s unbeaten start as they completed a 5 – 1 win to open their points account. Bruno Mwasnje was the hero with a hat-trick while Dennis Mahadha and Mathius Sendawula also struck the net.
The top game of the day in Division One came from Dagenham where the division’s top two faced off with Cowley Community the visitors to take on Belfry, renewing old acquaintances. Kieron James was the difference between the two sides, netting both goals for the hosts to take their perfect start to four games in a 2 – 1 scoreline. Chris Wright grabbed the Cowley consolation effort.
Wanstead’s recent run of form has not gone unnoticed and they made the most of sides around them dropping points on Saturday with to move fifth as they ran out winners by the odd goal in seven, beating Ilford Reserves 4 – 3. Edson Lami scored a hat-trick with Zoltan Balogh also netting to render Foxes efforts from Jack Newbury-Neale, Mario Lipetz and Rhys Clements as consolation.
Barkingside A’s league form so far this term has brought them two wins from two and they are up to sixth, coming out on the right side of a ten-goal thriller at Nutter Lane, defeating Kwanzas London Sport 6 – 4. Maximillion Murariu led the way with a treble for the hosts, with Harry Nicholson, Mohamed Sheikhnor and Joshua Fagbohun also on target. That result keeps ‘Side in touch with the sides above them with games in hand while Kwanzas stay rooted to the bottom from their three games.
With games in hand, Newham Wanderers are another side who will another with a big say in the promotion race this season and they moved to six points from three games following a 5 – 3 home win against Forest Green at the Flats. Robertson Morais is a man who knows where the goal is and he scored twice with Amir Gurji, Miranda Silva and Otto Bolton finishing things off.
It’s been a good couple of weeks for Francis Luke who have picked up a couple of handy wins now across league and cup competitions, their latest at the weekend earning them a first league victory, beating a high-flying Renegade side in the Hackney derby. Jose da Silva scored twice and Abser Abdul once to give the visitors a 3 – 1 win.
Completing the action in the third tier, Something From Nothing made the journey to Aveley to take on RCXI seeking to improve on their league form so far this season, the teams starting five points apart in tenth and fourth respectively. And that gap remained by full time as the teams finished level at 1 – 1, securing a point apiece.
It’s as you were at the top of Division Two where Fairlop Rovers have continued their title tilt with a fifth win from five in the league, returning home from Walthamstow with all three points in a 4 – 1 scoreline against Ryan Under 23s. Dylan Scutt scored twice with Toby Stephens and Harry Oliver efforts extending their great start.
The leaders are closely trailed by Rainham Working Mens Club who themselves have made a terrific start in the division, winning all four of their games to date. Unitey were the visitors on Saturday and saw Mohammed Abaker net for them but two Sean Tormey goals for the Workies did the damage to edge a close game 2 – 1.
With the sides above them dropping points, mid-table FHN Athletic and Redbridge Community both had the chance to cut the gap and that was exactly what they both did though had to settle for a point each in a 2 – 2 draw. Amos Agyei and Kieran McKoy both scored for unbeaten FHN while Akiljo Balliu and Samuel Oramadike struck in reply for Redbridge to level it.
Emerson and Upminster Reserves made ground on a number of sides above with the only win amongst the sides placed third to seventh and it was a terrific result to boot as they ended Old Esthameians unbeaten start with a 6 – 3 victory. Braces from Tobi Onafeko and Dan Lane plus singles from Harry Wilkins and Reece Martin did the damage to make it two wins from three.
There was a crucial clash at the bottom end of the table also where Loughton Lions and Newbury East were up against each other in Debden seeking their first points of the season. Both will be relatively satisfied to have fixed that by full time after an incredible game ended in a 4 – 4 draw. Sehraan Hussain scored twice with Bhajandip Purewal and Connor Goom also striking for East.
Two sides sit locked on twelve points at the top of Division Three where Royal Forest Reserves presently lead the way on goal difference after confirming a fourth league win on Saturday, beating Flyers Under 23s 3 – 0 over in Romford. Jamie Cooper, Will Casasola and Will Asenso all found the back of the net to hand their side another win.
The side keeping close track on the leaders are Buckhurst Way who also sit on twelve points though from a couple of games more than Forest. Way were 2 – 0 winners on Saturday are putting in a good performance at home against Lymore Gardens Reserves. Goals from Benjamin Noonan and Andrei Rizea secured their fourth league win in six this season while Lymore drop a place to fourth.
FC Baresi Under 23s took advantage of that result also as they moved up to third in place of Lymore, coming through a closely fought game against an improving Terin. Leo Siki scored twice for Baresi with Zack Aliane also netting to render Terin goals form Ahmed Abdulrahman and Ali Swamad as just consolation on the day in a 3 – 2 scoreline.
Moving up into the top half of the table, Harlow Inter have joined a group of clubs all on six points as they entertained Glendale at Chigwell School over the weekend in an entertaining fixture for the neutral. Glendale lead early through Sam Izaini but Inter led themselves by the break. Was Lawal scored to level it again for the Dales but two further Inter goals won it 4 – 2 in their favour.
Together United are up to seventh now in the table with two wins on the bounce as they joined the six point club with a six goal performance on the road away at ASA in Hackney. Jubayed Miah struck twice for the hosts and Atif Haider once but United got it ‘Together’ in the end with six goals of their own to take a 6 – 3 win.
Things are incredibly tight still at the top of Division Four where Chingford Harriers continue to lead the way after scooping an impressive fifth win with a local derby victory away to West Essex Under 23s. Goals from Darlington Ojo and substitute Cedric Onchuru were enough to earn a 2 – 1 win in the E4 derby and stay clear at the top on goal difference.
Second placed Fairlop Rovers Reserves are certainly doing their bit to make this an enthralling title race and will hope to be in the mix in a few months time still. Their hopes were further improved with an away victory of their own, defeating Dagenham United Reserves 4 – 1 at Castle Green despite an Amran El-Kaouny goal for the hosts.
There was a terrific win for Emerson & Upminster A on Saturday as they replicated the reserve team performance in taking a 6 – 3 win of their own as they entertained Collier Row A at Hall Lane with both sides having started well. Emerson goals however from Bradlee Birch (2), Ryan Whitton, Ryan Cook, Ronnie Bryan and Elliot Kaye were too much in the end as their side won the contest.
Avondale Rangers will be pleased with their efforts also over the weekend as they moved to the cusp of the top half with a win by the odd goal as they edged past Flyers Under 21s. Debut goals from Dylan Fagan, Liam Cole and Johnson Santos were supplemented by a Phillip Heinen goal to win the game 4 – 3.
The final league game of the day saw Sporting Pillars make their competitive debut as they entertained Newham Royals over in Leyton seeking to make a positive start. And that was what they did as two goals apiece from Rayan Allam and Ousmany Dibaga earned a 5 – 0 win and a first ever win for the club.
In the BBC Essex Premier Cup, it was a great afternoon for Woodford East who made the trip down the A127 on Saturday to the Len Forge Centre as they took on Essex Senior Reserve League side White Ensign Reserves and returned home to east London with a 2-1 win under their belts, thanks to goals from Frank Glock and Adam Tabbani. Zach Somerset-Butler responded for Jack Caten’s side. They will now face Essex Olympian League Division Two side May & Baker A in the next round in November.
There was a terrific contest in Chigwell where Chadwell Heath Spartans were up against a highly-rated EOFL Division One side in Leigh Town with the sides finishing 3 – 3 by the end of extra time. Leigh’s scorers were Dan Driscoll, Shane Cooper and Junior Lawrence though Spartans commendably levelled through strikes by Ray Hunwicks, Samir Aboulainaf and Jonathan Evans. In the ensuing shoot-out, Town held their nerve, winning it 3-2 to secure their passage into round three.
Leyton Royal’s run in the competition came to an end as they made the trek up the A12 to face another Essex & Suffolk Border League side with Tiptree Heath the hosts. Heath ran out comfortable 5 – 1 winners thanks to a brace from Charlie Green and goals by Joe Chester, Ryan Knill-Jones and Cameron Ward to end Royal’s cup hopes in this competition. There were also some away day blues for CSM London who also ventured east to take on Olympian League Division Two side Rayleigh Town Reserves. A 4 – 1 winning performance from Town thanks to a treble for Byron Down and one from Matthew Oaten was more than enough to counteract Munnir Saad’s goal in response and end CSM’s participation for another year.
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 some Cup competitions as well from Saturday 9 October. My thanks to the EAL’s Rob Parker. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission with additional reporting by Scott W. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
Essex Alliance League Round-up- Saturday 9 October
Just five points separate the top five sides in the Senior Division as the chasing pack took advantage of the leaders being out of action. Woodford East moved to within two points of Chadwell Heath Spartans after they returned to winning ways on the back of a terrific 7 – 0 home win against Leyton Royal in Hackney. Frank Glock and Lucio Uare both scored twice here with Will Letchford , Ben Smith and Adam Tabbani goals rounding off a win.
Jolof Sports remain the only side with a perfect record in the division as they extended their perfect start to four games, still being yet to concede a goal also. They were 4 – 0 victors on Saturday with a home victory against Blue Marlin in East Ham. Mody Gaye, Papa Ndiaye, Bogdan Ursica and Jeremias Visi all netted to move within four points of the leaders.
The other side in the top flight yet to experience defeat are DT FC and the Harlow-based side romped into a 4 – 1 half time lead away to Chigwell Town through goals from Jake Kissiedu, Stanley Green and Billy Golledge & an OG. But Town fought back hard through Ellis Morgan, Harry Tew-Robinson and Wesley Adeyemi goals though their efforts were not quite enough, going down 4 – 3.
It was a big afternoon for Tower United who moved themselves away from relegation worries following a shock away win as they returned home with three points from their trip to the County Ground against Lymore Gardens. Abdi Jama, Kayis Mohamed and Yaqub Haji were the goal scorers to edge the contest 3 – 2, a crucial result affecting both ends of the table.
Another five goal thriller was witnessed down at the Lakeside Sports Ground where Rapid Chingford were the hosts, taking on FC Petrocub, the sides both occupying places in the bottom half. An in-form FC Petrocub side though were the winners on the day, earning a 3 – 2 win to leap above their opponents and up to ninth.
In the final game in the Senior Division, there was a crucial point earned by CSM London who took their tally to four for the season thus far as they held sixth-placed Kit Out London to a 1 – 1 draw in Beckton. Daniel Muamba came off the bench to score an equaliser for Kit Out after CSM thought they had won the game late on via Ramone Senior’s goal, the sides eventually settling for a share of the spoils.
North East Lions have closed the gap on the leaders to just three points in the Premier Division after the Walthamstow based side returned home with all three points from their trip to All Prospects in Hainault. Lions were 5 – 1 winners as Mikael Martin netted two with one apiece from Lorenc Hoxha, Adnan Miah and Louis Blake.
Wapping remain in the hunt for promotion as they picked up an important third win of the campaign so far, coming away with all three points with victory in Seven Kings against London Park City. Wapping goals from Sabiq Khan, Mohammed Asrar, Joel Brown and Shamsun Noor were the difference between the sides, helping their team win it 4 – 2.
There was another big win for undefeated Dagenham United who moved up to fourth in the table following a 6 – 1 home win on Saturday against Eastside at Castle Green. Charlie Fiander came off the bench to score twice for Chris Mascall’s side with Jay Fenton, Shaquille Mathurin, Iaia Jau and Victor Mendes efforts also on the scoresheet to give United their second win in three.
In Division One, Wanstead have found some form in recent weeks and have moved into the top half of the table on the back of a terrific 8 – 3 win on Saturday as they travelled to Leyton to take on Forest Green. Zoltan Balogh and Edson Lami were on fire with four and three goals respectively, Robert Clarke netting the other secure a first league win of the campaign.
The day’s other action in the third tier came from Beckton where Kwanzas London Sport were in action for the second time this season with Renegade their visitors on the day. Renegade have made an indifferent start in the league but were able to secure all three points on Saturday, winning 3 – 1 as goals from Fernandez Kogneman, Praise The Lord Masasu and Vincent Follea confirmed the points.
There were two goal filled contests in Division Two where Unitey moved up to fourth place in the standings, coming through a ten goal thriller in a 6 – 4 scoreline at home to Royal Forest. Mohammed Abaker scored a hat-trick and Gaeton Mukoko also netted to give the hosts a crucial victory, their third of the season. Forest goals came courtesy of Thomas Osmond, Joe Owers, Charlie Palline and Joe Meader.
The other game of the day saw Redbridge Community pick up a big win, their second of the season. Redbridge were 7 – 2 victors at home to bottom of the table Newbury East as Jayke Welch and Tevini French both scored twice, adding to further goals from Dean Cole, Dylan Broadley and debutant Akilijo Bullio.
There is a change at the top in Division Three where Royal Forest Reserves have become the new leaders on goal difference as they recorded a third league win of the season with a 4 – 1 victory at home against Terin. Tom Alexander scored twice with Sereign Lette-Jallow and Josh Trainor goals, cancelling out a Fahad Abdallah effort from the visitors.
Lymore Gardens Reserves join Forest at the top on nine points, though from a game more, after they saw off the efforts of Melbourne Sports on the very next pitch. Garden, who have made a terrific start to the new season, will be more than pleased with their efforts thus far, recording a 6 – 2 win on Saturday to trail at the top by just goal difference.
The movement at the top was made possible after previous leaders, FC Baresi Under 23s, saw their perfect start to the season reach a conclusion as they were held to a 1 – 1 draw against ASA in Walthamstow. Harrez Aliane struck for the hosts but an ASA leveller from Ramanan Selvarasa off the bench levelled up the game.
Together United bounced back well from defeat in their opening game of the season last time out as they defeated a high flying Buckhurst Way side in Walthamstow, coming out on the right side of a 6 – 3 win. Andrei Rizea netted twice and Myles Croxford once for Way but a four goal Stanley Kweya performance plus two from Remel Green proved enough in the end.
It was also an important afternoon’s work from Romford based Flyers Under 23s as were up against visitors Harlow Inter on Saturday seeking to open their points account for the new season. And that was exactly what they did, completing a 2 – 1 win at King George’s thanks to goals from Kai Eaton and Muhammed Waqas to move them up to eleventh in the standings.
Things remain tight at the top in Division Four with Chingford Harriers ahead of their closest rivals on goal difference, aided by their win over the weekend at home against Flyers Under 21s. Harrier goals from Alex Diner, Jake Kemp, Edwin Jabbari and Jemel Richards were the difference with their side cruising to a 4 – 1 win.
The other side sitting well placed for a promotion push are Fairlop Rovers Reserves as their good start to the season continued on Saturday with a home victory against Newham & Havering Borough at Redbridge Sports Centre. Rovers edged a close game by the odd goal, 3 – 2 victors to make it four wins from five this season.
West Essex Under 23s will also be pleased with the start to their season and moved third over the weekend with a narrow win on the road, taking maximum points from their trip to Emerson & Upminster A. Tyler Huggett and Tashan Diamond struck for the hosts but West goals from Charles Jeans, Javen Cole and Ciaran Farrell-Christian were sufficient to earn their side a 3 – 2 win.
The biggest win of the day came from Forest Row where hosts, Collier Row A, made it two wins from three this season with a 9 – 3 home victory against Avondale Rangers. That saw Row move their points tally to nine for the season and shifting up to fourth in the standings in the process.
It was a busy county cup weekend with action across three competitions. In the Essex Junior Cup, there were progressions for our clubs in both ties with Crookz United earning a terrific 6 – 0 home win against Harold Wood Athletic A. Crookz will now travel to Barleylands in Billericay in the next round to take on Hashtag United Development, from the Essex Olympian League’s Division Three.
In the other tie played, it was an all EAL affair in Hainault where Oakside played host to fellow Premier Division side Frenford A. The visitors continued their league form into this competition, completing a 5 – 2 win to confirm a trip to Ramsey & Mistley Reserves in the next round of the competition.
In the Essex Junior Trophy, seven of the eight ties saw our sides progress on with Something From Nothing the biggest winners of the day, the Division One side putting in a solid performance to defeat Dagenham United Reserves 7 – 0 and set up a home tie against Chingford Athletic A in November.
The biggest shock of the day came from Hainault where Division Two leaders, Fairlop Rovers, put an end to Ilford Reserves’ run in the competition, defeating the Division One high-flyers in a 4 – 2 scoreline. They will now travel to an as yet unidentified Mid Essex League side in the third round.
There were three 5 – 2 scorelines in the round and Francis Luke produced what might be construed as a shock as the winless side ended Barkingside A’s perfect start to the season at the Marshes to set up a home game against Brentwood Athletic Reserves in round three.
There was a near miss for Rainham Working Mens Club in Hainault as the Division Two high-flyers were held to a 1 – 1 draw by Division Three Glendale at ninety minutes and it needed the extra time period to eventually separate the teams with the Workies running out 5 – 2 in the end.
The third 5 – 2 result came from Barking Abbey School where Old Barkabbeyans Reserves hosted Ryan Under 23s and it was Division Two side Ryan who made the move into the next round, avoiding any kind of slip up to book a trip to Benfleet Reserves next month.
Belfry are also into the hat for round for the third round as they came through an all-EAL tie at home to RCXI, winning the tie 3 – 1 on the day. They now head up the A12 next month to face Great Baddow in the next round of the competition.
The finalists in this competition from the 2019/20 campaign, Cowley Community extended their form in this competition to another round after defeating FHN Athletic 2 – 0 in Newbury Park on Saturday. They will now take on Rainham Working Mens Club in the third round.
The day’s only reverse against an outside club came at Hendersons’ where Emerson & Upminster Reserves saw their run in the competition come to an end with a narrow 3-2 defeat, going down 3 – 2 against Harold Hill Reserves.
Two of our clubs made their inaugural appearances in the London Senior Trophy over the weekend with FC Baresi renewing old acquaintances with a trip to Middlesex League side, Indian Gymkhana. After the sides battled to a 2 – 2 draw at full-time, Baresi were eventually knocked out on spot-kicks, losing 4 – 3 in the shootout.
In the other Trophy tie played involving our clubs, Athletic Newham Under 23s came up against a side expected to go far in this competition, going down 6 – 3 to Barking Under 23s at Mayesbrook Park to end EAL involvement in the competition.
Written By Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14] – Non-League & EAL Writer
Hello and welcome to a ‘bonus’ instalment of ‘In-Focus’ blogs for Summer 2021. In this fourth article, I caught up with Essex Alliance League (EAL) side Dagenham Utd, who also competed in the group-only Essex Alliance League Cup since the resumption of Football in March this year.
The ‘Daggers’ have had a side in the EAL divisions since 2017, and although their first team are a more recent addition after coming over from the Olympian League.
In this article, I’m pleased to be joined by First Team player-boss (and Adult Section Chairman) Chris Mascall (CM) and First Team Secretary & Physio Jamie Mascall (JM) to give their thoughts on how the recent League Cup has been to compete in, the season as a whole, the inside track on the club and their thoughts on the change coming for the EAL next season. My thanks to them both for their time & Jamie for the Action images shown here.
SW: It’s fair to say that the 2020-21 campaign has been disrupted by the various lockdowns, but what positives would you all take from this campaign?
CM: “It’s a pleasure Scott, thanks for taking the time to talk to us also.”
“It has been a frustrating campaign again in terms of the stop start of lockdown etc., but we do take some positives from the last lockdown as it allowed a couple of our key players to return from substantial injuries they suffered at the start of the season which disrupted our season towards the Xmas period.
In terms of positives on the pitch this season, we had a strong showing in our league division, pushing at the top of the table for promotion for the majority of the season and picking up some very good results along the way. The restart of the league cup groups yielded some of our best results as we introduced a new system and style of play, which lead to us winning all of our cup group games bar one, narrowly missing out on silverware”
SW: What was the favourite match of the season and why?
CM: “There have been some great matches this season but for the neutral, there’s only one that can really spring to mind. We had a home game early on in the season (on October 3rd 2020 – Ed) vs Forest Green which ended 5 – 4 to us with a winner in the 88th min, an outrageous goal from our winger Rodeny Dos Santos Varela whom cut in on the edge of the box and curled one into the opposite corner lobbing the keeper and leaving him stranded, the absolutely scenes that followed were amazing as it was pure euphoria and a goal worthy of winning any game at any level! Our Reserve team were playing at home too that week and won their game also and so the joint celebrations that took place immediately after the games were fantastic with both teams coming together to enjoy the results in what was a great show of the real family feel we have at this club.”
SW: On or off-the-pitch, what was your most memorable moment/s from this season?
JM: “I would say it would have to be the game Chris just mentioned , the togetherness of the teams and the pure elation they both had for each other’s results was beautiful to see. It was a lovely day weather-wise, both teams winning in spectacular fashion and really felt like it was one of those moments that makes all the hard work running and organising these teams worth it. It was a real ‘this is why we do it’ moment.”
SW: I vaguely remember the club’s first team being among the sides competing in Essex Olympian League (EOFL). How has it been competing in the Alliance League (EAL) since you came over at Division Two level?
CM: “Yes that’s right, our first team used to compete in the Essex Olympian league and moved across to the Alliance League last season. After transferring to Dagenham, I started my journey as First Team Captain and then moved into a management role with the Reserve team whom were entered into the Essex Alliance League in 2016/17 season I believe it was. It was a real ‘start from scratch’ project. I then moved into the First Team Managers role and the Adult Section chairman position, setting out a five-year progression plan for the men’s teams to aim towards. This was when we entered First & Reserve teams into the Alliance, comprised of a few key players from the Reserve team and a lot of new additions whom were eager to join the exciting project and we haven’t looked back since as I enter my 5th season managing within the EAL.
In terms of abilities of the teams within the respective leagues, I genuinely don’t see much difference In quality, and the EAL have some great teams and players amongst the leagues.”
SW: You competed in Group D of the hastily-convened Essex Alliance League Cup finishing in third spot, two points behind leaders Cowley Community. How was it to return to playing after such a long lay-off?
CM: “To be fair, as I mentioned earlier, the break almost done us good in a sense that it allowed injured players to return, but of course you then loose the momentum of the team being together etc. What did really impress me however was that a large number of the first team especially took up 1-2-1 coaching with myself and really looked after themselves during the break, which was evident when we returned to action, where as I mentioned, we were unbeaten, bar one.”
“The final Cup table makes for a slightly distorted view of the way the cup unfolded. We were joint-top along with Unitey after 3 games, both sides winning three a piece going into our encounter with them. We proceeded to draw that game which opened the door to Cowley to sneak up the mini group. We went into the final game of the season against Cowley joint top but with 3 less goal difference then Unitey, meaning we either required Unitey to draw or for us to beat Cowley by a four-goal margin at least, should Unitey win for us to lift the title. I think this lack of clarity slightly affected us in the final fixture and we deviated from the way we had been playing so successfully since the restart, ultimately losing the final game 2-3 to Cowley, with Unitey drawing their final game a result that would have been ideal, meaning Cowley sneaked in and took the title.
Absolutely full credit to them for clinching the title as the ‘dark horses’ when it seemed like race between two sides, they are a nice bunch of lads who were simply better on the day, but we take pride in the fact we were so close to silverware and intend to make sure we get our hands on some ourselves next time around ha!”
SW: It was announced recently that the Senior Division of the Essex Alliance League has been given Step 7 status by the FA, putting it on par with the Premier Division of the Essex Olympian League. Is reaching that division an ambition of the club & what is your reaction to the news as an EAL club?
CM: “It’s fantastic news for the league and all those whom make it tick and fully deserved for all their hard work in getting to that level. On a personal note, Barry [Fitzgerald], Rob [Parker] and Alan Spike for example have been extremely supportive towards us as a team and me personally, and this is evident in the piece you did with Rob a couple of weeks ago, where he name-checked Dagenham United as being one of the big teams that are looking likely progress up the footballing ladder, which is a great compliment to read [Pleasure to assist! – Ed).
In terms of step 7 for us, absolutely, we’ve made no secret of hiding the fact that is very much the plan, to keep climbing up the footballing ladder and into the Non League system etc. We are delighted that we have gained promotion for the coming season to the Premier Division (next season’s EAL second-tier, below the Senior Division) from Div 2 and again feel it shows our progression as a club and our intent to wake what I feel is a sleeping giant of a club.”
SW: How important is it that the EAL matches are covered by Independent amateur media, particularly with the said focus elsewhere on other divisions higher up the Non-League pyramid?
CM: “I think it’s fantastic that people like yourselves are starting to shine a light on grassroots football and highlighting the hard work that goes into these teams and the quality that Is actually within these leagues that very often get missed. As you mention, coverage higher up the pyramid is strong, but at this level is few and far between, but what it does mean, is that when independent amateur media like yourself do take the time out of your days to cover and focus on teams, you have the chance to really build relationships and respect from the teams and leagues you are covering, which I think is a great thing on a personal level, as often in football, especially higher up, that personal touch element often gets missed and it becomes very business orientated.”
SW: In my research for this article, I saw you are one of a number of clubs now who film highlights of matches & then put them on your YouTube channel. How important do you feel doing things like that are to raise the profile of the club (and perhaps the League) as a whole?
CM: “I actually believe we were one of the first to really push the filming of fixtures, investing in a Veo Camera prior to pre-season to automatically record our games and create highlights of match days and other media content. The social media aspect is huge in today’s day and age and by far one of the easiest ways to attract interest in the club as it’s a physical representation of your team and whom you are and allows you to express your identity”
JM: “We not only use the filming of games to create highlight pieces etc, but use the footage for tactical analysis of games which has been crucial throughout the season in being able to Identify any areas of improvement whilst also highlighting the positives for individuals that many players often don’t have. Even at a good semi-pro standard, until recently very few games were recorded and so lots of players don’t have the opportunities to see themselves play and identify these areas to work on.”
CM: In terms of the league’s social media coverage, I genuinely believe they are by far one of the best at any level in terms of engagement with their teams and individuals in the divisions and are very supportive of the social media content put out by clubs. The filming of the games from the league can only be a positive and shows their desire to offer that extra ‘personal touch’ each week.
SW: What do you believe is the main difference between Intermediate/Grassroots Football and the top four steps of the Senior Non-League game?
CM: “Finances. Pure and simple in my honest opinion. Grassroots football has come under so much pressure with lack of help for funding, with costs rising exponentially each year for facilities especially, as quite simply there will always be more teams then there are good venues, meaning most places of hire can charge what they want, with very few teams owning or having leases to their own grounds at this level, every season you see the same story, teams folding left, right and centre, majority of the time simply down to lack of finances. I genuinely believe there are a lot of clubs out there, ourselves being one of them that have real potential to climb the footballing ladder, but football costs money and many are unfortunately ‘priced out’ of progression.”
JM: “I agree, finances play a huge part in the gap between the standards of the senior non league game and grassroots football. It’s unfortunate, but a lot of the financial strains get placed upon the managers of these teams to keep the teams afloat let alone progressing forward.
Thankfully, I’m fully supportive of Chris’s plans for the teams and the ambition he has to keep building the project, meaning the adult section have been fortunate enough to have the financial backing from ourselves to keep progressing. We take pride in the fact we can match what a lot of senior non-league teams can in terms of kits, equipment etc but that ultimately comes down to the passion and drive to want to be able to do this as-well, as we see the teams and the players as extended family and feel that is another of the key differences between the levels.”
SW: Looking on now to the 2021/22 season, what are the short-term aspirations of the club?
CM: “To get some silverware under our belt and ultimately to gain promotion to the Senior Division, after a positive year this season which culminated in a promotion from Div 2 to the Premier Division.
We would like to add some fresh faces to our current teams that believe in the project we have and can appreciate the progression we have made and to compliment the existing players we have. We have keen focus of developing young players and providing a pathway into men’s football as well, a luxury which is often not afforded. In our last game for example, we had four 17 year old players in the first team squad, with another 3 under 21’s and that is something we are committed to continue doing in the 21/22 season.”
SW: Finally, what other developments are on the way for the club in the future that you’d like to share?
CM: “As cliché as it sounds, We’ve got some really exciting plans in the pipeline that will elevate the club to another level. We have transferred to a 4G pitch for our men’s first team to ensure we have a better standard of playing surface to compliment the attractive football we play, whilst also securing a partnership which sees us gain the use of a clubhouse and bar for post-game socials, something we had been sorely missing in the last few seasons.”
“With our ambitions to progress into the Senior division and continue up the footballing pyramid, we are in positive talks to secure a stadium and pitch for the 2022/2023 season [Readers, Ground-grading is a factor in Step 7 divisions – Ed] and have a secure home base with the fantastic current owners whom we are building a good relationship with.”
If you’d like to catch up with the others article in this ‘In-Focus’ series relating to the Essex Alliance League, you can find them here
Hello and welcome to a guest blog, going through the action in the five Essex Alliance League divisions on Saturday 19th September, along with the Olympian League & ESBL action, it is good to have guest content on other Grassroots Leagues, thank you Rob. This round-up is posted with the author’s permission, with thanks. Thanks for reading.
Guest Blog written by Rob Parker for EAL [EAL Twitter: @EssexAllianceFL]
Essex Alliance League – Saturday 19th September
FC Petrocub have moved top of the standings in the Senior Division as they made it three wins from their opening three games this season. They were on the right end of a seven-goal thriller at home to Lymore Gardens as Valentin Siciov’s hat-trick and a Alexandru Iusco single earned them a 4 – 3 win, overcoming Lymore goals from Dylan Roberts, Ryo Brown and Devonte Forsythe-Young.
Moving up to second place are FC Baresi as the Walthamstow based side kept their own unbeaten start going with a narrow 3 – 2 victory on Saturday over All Prospects. Prince Eze and Zivonimur Lopes were both on target for Prospects but Mark Matthews, Hadi Osman and Ali Shikheey strikes completed a win in favour of the hosts.
West Essex Reserves continued their perfect start to the campaign, making it two wins from two so far as they defeated winless Rapid Chingford in Hainault by two goals to nil. The all-important goals arrived through Adam Norris and Josh Flood goals helping last season’s title chasers resume where they left off.
CSM London will be pleased with their afternoon’s efforts over the weekend as they recorded their first win of the season, beating winless London Cranes 1 – 0 in Beckton to take all three points. The all important goal came from Keifer Cole who netted the only goal of the game to move ninth in the standings.
There was a winning return to the league for Jolof Sports as the East Ham based outfit got underway with three points from their home fixture against Chigwell Town. The former, and technically current, league champions from 2018/19 were narrow 1 – 0 winners as they started off their season in positive fashion.
Tower United have moved to fifth place in the table with two wins from their first three fixtures in the top flight following promotion. After last week’s reverse, they battled past Blue Marlin in Newbury Park with Guled Abdirahman, Sayid Abdi and Abdi Abdikarim all netting in a solid 3-1 victory.
Woodford East have made a terrific start to life in the second tier as they wrapped up a third league win in three so far and are yet to concede a goal. Their flying start continued with a terrific 7 – 0 win on Saturday as they beat Wapping, helped by a Billy Barr hat-trick plus further efforts from Ben Smith, Frank Glock, Callum Maltese and William Letchford.
Another side with a perfect start to the campaign so far are Leyton Royal as the new boys made it two wins from two to go second. They were 5 – 1 home winners this week as they saw off the efforts of North East Lions to continue their positive start. George State scored twice, accompanied onto the score-sheet by Tamer-Andrei Bozgan, Cosmin Capatina and Catalin Gavril.
It’s also been a great start to the new season for London Park City who made it two wins from two with a massive local derby victory over a well-rated Frenford A side in Ilford. City made the short trip back to Seven Kings with maximum points, earning a 3-0 win to go third in the table after three weeks.
Another of the league’s new sides, Francis Luke, got their points account underway for the season as they defeat fellow new side, Kwanzas London Sport. An eight-goal thriller ensued between the sides as Joel Malundama, Benjamin Sokomay, Aliu Balde, Saico Djop and Reumel McIntosh all netted for FL to give their side a maiden 5 – 3 win.
Completing the day’s action in Division One, promoted Chadwell Heath Spartans finally got their season underway as they made the trip to Mabley Green to take on Eastside. The defences reigned supreme in this one with a rare goalless draw the outcome as the sides settled for a share of the spoils, just alphabetical order separating these teams in the table!
Belfry are top of Division Two on goal difference following their opening two matches of the campaign as they completed their first home fixture with a 5 – 2 win against Rainham Working Mens Club. Jamie Redington scored a hat-trick to help his side towards victory, with Patrick Macdonald and Liam Pickett scoring the others.
Just behind the leaders are Newham Wanderers whose elevation to this level has been quite successful thus far with a second win in two games. The latest victims of said success were Royal Forest who have made a difficult start themselves, succumbing to two Robertson Morais efforts and further Newham goals from Bradley Harris and Macane Caleir in a 4 – 2 score-line.
Cowley Community move up to third in the table after securing a second win in three games so far, this week winning a local derby against St Francis at Wanstead Flats. Chris Wright was on target once again with Ryan Thompson-Cobham netting the other to hand Cowley a 2 – 0 win.
Sitting fourth in the standings, Forest Green couldn’t have wished for a better start to the season as they wrapped up win number two on Saturday, taking all three points from their away trip to Old Esthameians in Newbury Park. In a five-goal thriller, Green came out on the right side of a 3 – 2 scoreline to return home the happier of the sides.
Just behind Forest Green, Dagenham United are up to fifth in the standings as they were victorious on Saturday in their home clash against Chingford Athletic A. United were 3 – 1 victors, with a double from Agbor Sobeh and one from Charlie Fiander overcoming a Warren Isoka goal for previously unbeaten Chingford to ensure the points remained at Castle Green with the hosts.
Melbourne Sports opened their account for the new season with a big home win in their opening fixture, defeating Flyers Under 23s 5 – 0 who themselves were making their league bow. That win sees the Mels move straight up into second place in the table ahead of what they hope will be a successful campaign.
Also taking part in their first fixture of the season, Loughton Lions made a winning start to life at this level as they came through with all three points against FHN Athletic at Mayfield School. In a topsy-turvy game in which Lions had to come from behind, they netted the all important fifth goal which saw them take a 3-2 victory.
The day’s other action came from Walthamstow where Bailey Football Academy led then had to come from behind against Glendale to take a late, late point. Maryis Shamku and Paul Oriakhi goals appeared to have given the Dales the points but Bailey strikes from Ayo Dosunmu and Berdan Yelken made it 2 -2 to share the spoils.
DIVISION FOUR Royal Forest Reserves have made a good start to life in Division Four with a pair of opening wins, their latest coming at the expense of Together United in Walthamstow. Tom Alexander and William Asenso both scored twice for Forest to set their side on the way to a 4 – 2 win that keeps them clear at the top. There was a first win of the season for Chingford Harriers over the weekend as they were victorious in their win at home against Collier Row A. Andrew Bowring, Jake Kemp and Stephen Duberry all found the back of the net to earn their team a 3 – 1 win, taking their side up to second place while Row remain in search of their opening points.
Sitting third on goal difference, Custom House United have kept their unbeaten run going for another week and had to come through a close battle against Emerson United Reserves. Anthony Reeve and Archie Pitfield both netted for Emerson but their efforts proved in vain as Charlie Clarke, Robert Wooster and Tim Mason scored for the Dockers to win 3 – 2.
Newham Royals are up to fourth in the standings, extending their own unbeaten run to two games with another 3-2 score-line in the division. They edged past Dagenham United Reserves at Castle Green as Anthony Adade scored twice and Desmond Wilson once to render a Dan Lane brace as just consolation.
Completing the weekend’s action, Avondale Rangers bounced back from their opening reverse last week to take a big 4 – 0 victory home with them in Loughton. Brentwood United Reserves were the side on the wrong end of this result as Jake Clarke scored twice and further goals arrived from William Coakley and Paul Regan.