Non-League Day swept across east London this weekend with boosted attendance figures and varying results.
Brisbane Road Expects
Leyton Orient recorded their highest attendance of the season against Hartlepool United, with 6,871 packed into Brisbane Road to witness a 0-0 draw between the former Football League clubs.
The O’s had the lion’s share of the chances, with target man Macauley Bonne going close in the first half after receiving a cute ball from Craig Clay.
Summer signing James Alabi missed the opportunity to put Orient ahead within seconds of the second half, however the forward failed to connect with James Brophy’s whipped cross.
On 59 minutes, former West Ham United man Joe Widdowson saw red for a cynical foul on Michael Woods.
With no more action, apart from from a Scott Loach save from an Alabi header 14 minutes from time, the duo went goalless on a sunny day in E10.
Bad Goes To Worse For Daggers
At the other end of the table, Dagenham & Redbridge’s woes continued as the Daggers fell down 2-1 at home to second place Wrexham.
Goals from Luke Young and Luke Summerfield took all three points back to North Wales and allowed the Dragons to leapfrog Leyton Orient into second place.
Dagenham’s solitary strike came from a Brad Walker own goal on the stroke of half time and sunk the Daggers to their fifth consecutive league loss.
The Daggers will be hoping for some respite as they travel to Boreham Wood in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round this weekend.
Hornchurch Lose Again
Further up the District Line, in the Isthmian League, AFC Hornchurch fell to ninth after a surprising loss to amateurs Corinthian-Casuals.
Gabriel Odunaike’s third of the season in the 79th minute was enough to see the west Londoners through at King George’s Field in Tolworth.
The Urchins will hope to get back to winning ways with two successive home games against Lewes and Tonbridge Angels.
Thriller for the Boro
In the Isthmian League Division One North, Romford fell to a 5-3 loss to Coggeshall Town at their temporary home of Rookery Hill.
The Boro, who are groundsharing with East Thurrock United, found themselves 4-0 time at half-time and despite goals from Ayo Olukoya and Nick Reynolds, the damage was already done in large part due to a Sam Bantick hat-trick.
Cup Highs and Lows
Cup action was also on the menu for the likes of Barking, Redbridge, May & Baker and Newbury Forest.
Barking, competing in the FA Trophy, fell to a 1-0 defeat against Hayes & Yeading United in the preliminary round in front of 103 at Mayesbrook Park.
A 32nd minute Lee Barney strike was enough to send the Blues out of the competition at the first hurdle.
In the FA Vase first round, Redbridge made easy work of Southend Manor in a 4-1 victory away in Essex.
Larry Asare, Calvin Poku and Jack Stevenson all found themselves on the scoresheet as the Motormen were too hot to handle and will be awarded £825 for their efforts.
May & Baker Fight Back
Meanwhile, in Dagenham, May & Baker sprung a surprise win on Spartan South Midlands League outfit North Greenford United.
Despite North Greenford taking the lead in the first half via an Aaron McLeish strike, May & Baker came out all guns blazing in the second half and equalised in the 46th minute, owing to a Tom Harvey strike.
Lee Arnitt got North Greenford’s noses ahead once again in the 72nd minute, however May & Baker’s never-say-die spirit was on full display and with one minute of normal time remaining, substitute Alex Owuadey managed to touch home to take the tie to extra time.
With the momentum with the east Londoners at Barking RFC, May & Baker took their lead for the first time in the tie with Craig Hall powering a header home on 98 minutes.
Owuadey secured May & Baker’s name into the hat for the second round on the 112th minute, slotting the ball past North Greenford’s custodian Lewis Todd to make the game 4-2 and take the club once step closer to Wembley.
Newbury Forest Not Strong Enough
At Oakside, Newbury Forest bowed out of the competition after a 3-2 home defeat against Newport Pagnall Town.
A 93rd minute winner for the Swans via Jake Watkinson broke Newbury Forest hearts and ended their journey which had seen the side put the sword to Wivenhoe Town and Clapton in previous rounds.
