Meath United are back in control of the East London Premier Division title race following a crucial victory over championship rivals Inter Lucia

By PHIL RAVITZ

MEATH UNITED are back in control of the East London Premier Division title race following a crucial victory over championship rivals Inter Lucia on Sunday.

In a seven-goal thriller, reigning champions Meath handed Inter their first defeat of the season, closing the gap on the table toppers to just a single point with a game in hand.

Inter, who were six points clear at the summit a fortnight ago, appeared on course for a point when Meath missed a penalty with the sides level at 2-2 during a tight encounter.

But the champions continued to press for a vital victory, scoring twice after half-time to take a two-goal lead. Inter did reduce the deficit late on, but Meath held on to record a 4-3 victory that reinforces their bid for a second successive league crown.

Clapton Rangers remain in the title hunt following a 7-2 demolition of SK Veleciku that keeps the Hackney outfit in third place, while at the other end of the table, Crownfield inflicted more misery on bottom side Hench FC with a 5-2 win.

East Moore are the new leaders of Division One after the Stepney outfit triumphed in a rollercoaster clash that produced 15 goals.

Moore overcame Leyton Trades

9-6, thanks to hat-tricks from Ricky Field and John Magners and further goals from Shaun Brennand, Sean Brown and Jesse Mason.

The outcome saw Moore leapfrog previous leaders Reama, who were held to a 1-1 draw by White Swan and Cuckoo.

Arbour Athletic proved too strong for Tube Lines, derailing the Stratford outfit with a 7-0 win. Nick Fautley netted a treble for the Stepney team, who could have added to the goals scored by Perry Greenberg, Tony Marsh, Ovidio Copciaoe and Richard Christeson, who has joined the club from rivals East Moore.

In a tight race for the Division Two crown, EFY remain in pole position following a 4-2 victory over Concordia, but Millwall Albion are still in contention after recording a 4-1 win over Byron Athletic.

Gervic Palace are still searching for a first win of the season after a 7-1 defeat by East Moore's B side.

Adritiku inflicted a 5-0 defeat on Arbour's B side, for whom that will be a last outing in the league. The Arbour club have announced they are withdrawing the side from the league and their record will be expunged.

The title hunt in Division Three is also hotting up, with the division's two dominant sides New North Rangers and William Fit Tigers due to meet this weekend.

New North overcame Beskitas 3-0 in a thrilling encounter on Sunday while the Tigers collected an eighth successive win with a 9-1 defeat of Chettle Court Rangers.