A number of East London clubs were in action once again this weekend, with differing results.
In the National League, second placed Leyton Orient kept the pressure up on league leaders Salford City with an impressive win away at Alan Devonshire’s Maidenhead United.
Orient Win
The O’s took the game by the scruff of the neck and stormed into an early lead, with prolific number nine Macauley Bonne netting his tenth league goal just after the ten minute mark, thanks to a Jobi McAnuff assist.
McAnuff was a constant thorn in Maidenhead’s side and was once again involved in the action on 30 minutes as he laid to ball to James Alabi to grab Orient’s second of the game.
With no further goals needed, Orient wrapped up a 2-0 win ahead of a tricky weekend clash at home to Hartlepool United.
Dagenham and Redbridge Woes
On the other side of east London, Dagenham & Redbridge fell to another loss away to Gateshead. The long away trip up the M1 failed to gear the Daggers up as two goals in three first half minutes were enough to sink the troubled outfit.
Steven Rigg and Tom White’s close range efforts consigned Dagenham to a fourth loss in as many games and with a tie against high flying Wrexham this weekend, the Daggers will be wondering where their next win will come from.
AFC Hornchurch took a break from Isthmian Premier Division action over the weekend, with competition in the FA Cup away to west Londoners Hampton & Richmond Borough.
First Honchurch Defeat
A first half strike from the edge of the area by Hampton captain Ricky Wellard was the only goal of the game as the Urchins went down fighting.
Hornchurch will be looking to bounce back from their first competitive defeat of the season with a trip to newly promoted Corinthian-Casuals this weekend, after a Velocity Trophy tie at home against Coggeshall Town on Tuesday evening.
Barking on a Win
In the Isthmian Division One North, Barking got back to winning ways with a 1-0 win at home against Dereham Town. Ben O’Brien secured the victory for the Blues, heading past Dereham keeper Elliot Pride after a pin-point cross from fellow defender Ricky Tarbard.
Barking will hope to build some momentum now, with a tricky visit from Hayes & Yeading United in the FA Trophy approaching.
Stansted Flying High
In the Essex Senior League, Clapton fell victims to an impressive Stansted display, losing 5-2, thanks in no small part to an eight minute Jordan Palmer hat-trick.
Meanwhile, another 5-2 result took place across the River Lea, this time culminating in happier returns for east London’s representatives in the competition.
Sporting Bengal United ran riot against a lacklustre Sawbridgeworth Town outfit as Jay Knight completed his second consecutive hat-trick after Charles Gregory opened the scoring for the 12th placed club at the Mile End Stadium.
Derby Day
Derbies were the flavour of the day in the league as Leyton Athletic notched up their second league win of the season with a barnstorming 5-0 victory over Barkingside at Wadham Lodge.
Francesco Cicconi and Dwade James recorded a brace each, with Emmanuel Oluwole also grabbing a goal in front of just 20 spectators in E17.
A healthier attendance of 75 at the Cricklefield Stadium saw former Barking man, James Peagram score the only goal of the game as Ilford ran out 1-0 winners against Walthamstow in less than enjoyable conditions, in a game that resulted in Stansted leapfrogging Walthamstow into second place.
Rounding off the east London involvement in the Senior League, league leaders Hullbridge Sports extended their gap at the top of the table with a resolute 1-0 victory against Redbridge at Oakside, with Nathan Scarborough netting his second of the season against Ricky Eaton’s men.