East Moore are targeting Premier Division glory next season after clinching the East London League Division One title

By JONATHAN CLEGG

East Moore are targeting Premier Division glory next season after clinching the Division One title and securing promotion to the top flight.

The Stepney club overcame Leyton Trades 3-1 at South Marsh on Sunday to establish an insurmountable seven-point lead at the top of the table and wrap up the championship.

Goals from Tony Field, Alan Smith and player-of-the-season John Magnus sealed the victory that maintains East Moore's unbeaten league record and manager Darren Cross believes the side can continue their success in the league's top division next season.

"There's no reason we can't challenge for the Premier Division next season," said Cross, who dedicated the triumph to friends Terry Pluck, Ashlie Plummer and Natalie Misfud, who were killed in a car crash in January.

"I've had a look at some of the top teams and it's a tougher, more physical league. But if we can keep this team together, we'll be a match for anyone."

New North Rangers also celebrated promotion last weekend after the defeating title rivals William Fitt Tigers in a five-goal thriller to claim the Division Three title.

The two sides have been locked in a titanic battle for the championship since the opening weeks of the season, but a hat-trick from Alfie Moss helped New North to a 3-2 victory in the winner-takes-all clash in Chingford.

Stoke Newington remain favourites to win the league's only outstanding title race after a 3-0 win over Adriatiku moved the Hackney side to within two points of Division Two leaders EFY with four games in hand.