Young Royals v Eastside Athletic: Preview

Eastside Athletic head to Walthamstow on Sunday to face Young Royals in Division Five, with only goal difference separating the two sides in the table. Fresh from a cup win at Barkingside, the Eastenders will be looking to keep their 100% away record going against one of the division’s most dangerous attacks.

Kick-off: Sunday 18 October 2026, 10:30

Venue: Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, London, E17 7HE

Competition: ESCFL Division Five

Referee: Moises Amoes

The opposition

Established in 2020, Young Royals have six years on the Eastenders, and they’ve started the season strongly. They sit 2nd in the table going into the weekend, with 6 points from 3 games, 11 goals scored and just 3 conceded. Their goal difference of +8 is the best in the league.

Their results so far:

Young Royals 0-1 Barking Colts (Division Five, 20 September)
Lonsdale 2-9 Young Royals (Division Five, 13 September)
Young Royals 4-2 Valence United Reserves (Endeavour Cup 2nd Round, 4 October)
United Amateurs 0-2 Young Royals (Division Five, 11 October)

That 9-2 win at Lonsdale stands out. Lonsdale top the table, and that is the only game they’ve lost all season. Young Royals also kept a clean sheet away at United Amateurs last weekend, and they’re through to the next round of the Endeavour Cup.

How the two sides compare

The two sides have never met before, but they’ve played four of the same opponents this season, and the results make interesting reading:

Barking Colts: Eastside won 2-1 at home. Young Royals lost 0-1 at home.
Lonsdale: Eastside lost 1-3 at home. Young Royals won 9-2 away.
United Amateurs: Eastside lost 1-4 at home in the Endeavour Cup. Young Royals won 2-0 away in the league.
Valence United Reserves: Eastside lost 0-1 at home in the league. Young Royals won 4-2 in the Endeavour Cup.

On paper, Young Royals have the edge. But the one side that beat them, Barking Colts, is a side Eastside have already beaten.

Eastside’s form

The Eastenders sit 4th, level on 6 points with Young Royals after four league games (2 wins, 2 losses). Across all six competitive games the record reads W3 L3, scoring 10 and conceding 13.

Away from home, though, it’s a different story. Eastside have won both of their competitive away games: the 4-3 thriller at Highams Park and last week’s 2-1 win at Barkingside in the 1st Round of the Essex Sunday Junior Trophy. Every competitive defeat so far has come at home.

A win on Sunday would take Eastside three points clear of Young Royals and right into the mix behind leaders Lonsdale.

Players to watch

Danny Fenn: the club’s top scorer with 3 goals, plus 2 assists and 2 man of the match awards. Danny has been involved in more competitive goals than anyone else in the squad.
Kai O’Hare: a goal and two assists at Highams Park, and on the scoresheet again at Barkingside. Kai has had a hand in four goals in his three competitive appearances.
Logan Hossack: has scored in both away wins, and was man of the match at Barkingside.
Mason Active: two assists at Barkingside last week, after scoring in the Endeavour Cup tie against United Amateurs.

At the other end, keeping Young Royals quiet will be the big test. They’ve scored 15 goals in four games this season.

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PRIDE OF THE EAST.