Real Romania underlined their promotion credentials by overcoming Premier Division opponents to reach the semi-finals of the Albert Daniels Senior Cup

By PHIL RAVITZ

Division One leaders Real Romania underlined their promotion credentials by overcoming Premier Division opponents to reach the semi-finals of the Albert Daniels Senior Cup on Sunday.

In a nail-biting quarter-final with Old King John's Head, extra-time was ultimately needed to decide a tense encounter that frequently threatened to boil over.

Romania had taken a second-half lead through Gheorge Ofrim, but King John levelled late on through Paul Doyle to force an extra half hour.

Yet the Haggerston side were unable to conjure another equaliser when Real's Antonio Mierei restored his side's lead and Romania duly progressed into the semi-finals.

Fellow Division One promotion hopefuls Army and Navy also reached the last four of the competition as Tony Scully fired a double in a comfortable 3-0 win over strugglers London Aprilia.

The Jack Morgan Cup also provided a handful of upsets last weekend, highlighted by the exit of Division Two leaders Delta, who fell to a 2-1 defeat against Hackney rivals Homerton Rangers.

Division Four outfit Shoreditch Fire Penguins provided another shock as Duncan Coombs struck the only goal in a 1-0 win over Aberfeldy, who have been in good form in Division Three.

Old George required extra-time to edge through against AFC Knights in a match of fluctuating fortunes.

The Bethnal Green side led 1-0 through Stuart Pearson, but then fell 2-1 behind only to equalise late on through Shane Javier, who promptly struck the extra-time winner to send Old George through.

In league action, Eureka moved into third place in the Premier Division in some style after a crushing 8-0 win over Red Devils, with Eric Palmer scoring a hat-trick. Justin Cummins, Alex Bramble, Shane Joseph, Ian Baker and John Nevin were also on target for Eureka.

FC Metwin emerged victorious from the relegation clash in Division One following a 2-1 triumph over Midfield, while Aaron Williams hit a hat-trick as Mile End shared an entertaining 4-4 draw with Gascoyne.