Mixed fortunes for Lea Valley FC teams

Dean Banks saves a penalty from Weirside Rangers in Cup Quarter final

Lea Valley FC’s adult and youth teams had varied performances in January.

The 1st XI narrowly lost in the Cup to Queen Mary College 4-3, and drew 1-1 with Old Edmontonians in a very windy match. They then lost 3-1 in a close game with UCL Academicals III, leaving them 7th in the table with work to do. The 2nd XI also went tumbling out of the Cup, losing 5-2 to Old Bromleians.

The Seconds sit handily 4th in the table, six points off the leaders with four games in hand.

The 3rd XI were unbeaten in January – first putting Polytechnic IV out of the AFA Cup in dramatic fashion. It was 1-1 after 90 minutes, and 2-2 after extra time. Dean Banks kept out two opposition penalties as Lea Valley won the shoot out 4-3. Then in the quarter final against Wierside Rangers IV Banks made another important penalty save to keep the Swans ahead, going on to win 2-1. With a cup semi-final to come, and third in the league with a game in hand, the Thirds are aiming for an ambitious double.

The under-16s beat St Mary 4-2 away from home, with Nathaniel Soneye-Thomas scoring twice, but then lost 5-0 away at Minchenden Youth.

The under-10s have now won their last seven games. Against Leyton United in the cup the score was tied 1-1 after normal time, and Lea Valley pushed on for the winner in extra time, leaving themselves open at the back, but a good performance from the Swans goalkeeper and an excellent finish up front meant Lea Valley ran out worthy 2-1 winners. This excellent performance was followed by a 4-2 win away to Edmonton Eagles.

Many thanks to Hackney Community College and the Princess of Wales Pub for sponsorship and continued support.

For more information about Lea Valley FC, please contact melvinsullivan@yahoo.co.uk.