By PHIL RAVITZ EAST LONDON LEAGUE newcomers Hench FC have hit on their best form of the season as the year comes to an end after the club continued a remarkable turnaround with a second successive victory on Sunday. Hench had opened the campaign with ni

By PHIL RAVITZ

EAST LONDON LEAGUE newcomers Hench FC have hit on their best form of the season as the year comes to an end after the club continued a remarkable turnaround with a second successive victory on Sunday.

Hench had opened the campaign with nine successive defeats, conceding 53 goals as they slumped to the foot of Division One, before collecting a shock first win over title contenders Clapton Rangers last week.

But the early relegation favourites are now just two points from safety after surviving a late collapse to prevail 4-3 in a thrilling encounter with fellow strugglers Athletico Hackney.

Hench appeared to be cruising to victory when they led 3-1 with just 10 minutes remaining, but Athletico hit back with two late goals to level the scores, only for Hench to conjure a last-gasp winner and continue their stunning revival.

League leaders Inter Lucia, shocked by last week's Jubilee Cup defeat by Division Three outfit Springfield, bounced back to form with a 5-1 defeat of Crownfield, but Meath United are keeping up the pressure on the table toppers.

Meath inflicted a first defeat of the season on the Hackney side this month and remain one point behind with a game in hand following an impressive 3-2 win over Clapton Rangers, whose own title challenge has faltered in recent weeks.

Stepney pair East Moore and Arbour Athletic are the leading candidates for promotion from Division Two after both sides chalked up victories on Sunday.

Arbour recovered from a slow start to record a 7-0 demolition of Haggerston Park Lions as John Gilroy netted a hat-trick. Leroy Kemai added two goals while Perry Greenberg and Nick Fautley were also on target.

East Moore earned their points even more easily, with a walkover win over Young Prince.

Stoke Newington remain firmly in the Division Three promotion race following a dramatic 4-3 win over Concordia, but Millwall Albion currently lead the division after a 3-0 defeat of borough rivals East Moore B.

Division Four leaders William Fitt Tigers fought back from a two-goal deficit to secure a 4-4 draw against Besiktas in the clash of the day.

The Tigers, who had had maintained their unbeaten record at the expense of title rivals New North Rangers last week, suffered an early setback as Besiktas raced into a 2-0 lead.

The leaders pulled a goal back after half-time but Besiktas immediately restored their two-goal advantage before the Tigers clawed their way back into the game with two late strikes.

A further goal five minutes from time looked to have sealed a remarkable comeback victory, but Besiktas levelled in stoppage time to salvage a point from a thrilling encounter.