The prospect of a first all-Division Two Jubilee Cup final drew closer on Sunday as East Moore became the latest high-profile club to crash out of the competition
By PHIL RAVITZ
The prospect of a first all-Division Two Jubilee Cup final drew closer on Sunday as East Moore became the latest high-profile club to crash out in the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Division One leaders were overwhelming favourites to reach the semi-finals ahead of their meeting with Stoke Newington, but the Division Two outfit defied the pre-match odds to claim a memorable upset as Moore were subjected to a crushing 4-0 defeat.
Stoke Newington will now progress to a last-four meeting with Rolls Park - the only Premier Division side left in the prestigious competition after Division Two duo Springfield and Millwall Albion were paired in the other semi-final last weekend.
In the Premier Division, Meath United were also victims of a surprise loss as the champions fell to a 5-4 defeat by Beaumont International in a thrilling encounter that could have a major bearing on the title race.
Meath, who are bidding to retain the championship, had taken a two-goal lead after Dean Goggin Jr and Timmy Hamley struck to put the Bethnal Green club in control.
Yet Beaumont pulled a goal back before the break and levelled early in the second-half, before taking a shock lead 13 minutes from time.
Meath were back on level terms in the 85th minute when a Beaumont own goal tied the scores at 3-3, before a frantic finish produced three goals in the final four minutes.
Beaumont edged in front for a second time with just three minutes remaining, but Meath appeared to have salvaged a point when Hamley netted his second, only for Beaumont to hit back with a stoppage-time winner and seal an improbable triumph.
The defeat has dropped Meath to fourth in the table - seven points behind long-time leaders Inter Lucia - while Clapton Rangers took advantage of the slip-up to climb into second following a 1-0 win over Rolls Park.
In Division One, improving Tube Lines moved further away from the drop zone after a 2-2 draw with Queensbridge Rangers, but Byron Athletic remain deep in trouble in Division Two after dropping to the foot of the table following a 4-2 defeat by Gervic Palace.
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