Lonsdale v Eastside Athletic: Preview

Eastside Athletic travel to Douglas Eyre Sports Centre on Sunday for the biggest game of the season so far: 1st against 2nd in Division Five. Leaders Lonsdale sit six points clear, and a win for the Eastenders would cut the gap to three.

Kick-off: Sunday 8 November 2026, 10:30

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

Competition: ESCFL Division Five

Referee: M. Amoes

Getting there: the nearest station is Blackhorse Road (Victoria line).

The opposition

Lonsdale, established in 1972 and playing in blue and black stripes, top Division Five on 16 points from 7 games (5 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss), with 29 goals scored, the most in the league.

Their season started with a 2-9 home defeat to Young Royals, and they haven’t lost since:

Lonsdale 2-9 Young Royals (13 September)
Eastside Athletic 1-3 Lonsdale (20 September)
Lonsdale 5-2 Valence United Reserves (27 September)
Highams Park 1-4 Lonsdale (4 October)
Lonsdale 6-1 Barking Colts (11 October)
Rainham Working Mens Club Res 3-7 Lonsdale (18 October)
Valence United Reserves 2-2 Lonsdale (1 November)

That’s six unbeaten and 27 goals in those six games. But last weekend’s draw at Valence, who Lonsdale had beaten 5-2 at home, showed they can be held.

The last meeting

Eastside 1-3 Lonsdale, Division Five, 20 September. Lonsdale took the lead after catching out a high defensive line, and Danny Fenn levelled on the stroke of half-time with a curler direct from a corner. Lonsdale struck twice after the break, against the run of play, and a late penalty was saved. In the club’s own words at the time, Lonsdale were taken too lightly. That won’t happen twice.

How the two sides compare

Young Royals: Lonsdale lost 2-9 at home. Eastside won 2-1 away, at Douglas Eyre.
Barking Colts: Lonsdale won 6-1 at home. Eastside won 2-1 at home.
Highams Park: Lonsdale won 4-1 away. Eastside won 4-3 away.
Valence United Reserves: Lonsdale won 5-2 at home and drew 2-2 away. Eastside lost 0-1 at home.
Rainham Working Mens Club Res: Lonsdale won 7-3 away. Eastside lost 2-3 at home.

Eastside’s form

The Eastenders sit 2nd on 10 points from 7 games (3 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses). The away record is the foundation: four competitive games on the road and still unbeaten, with wins at Highams Park, Barkingside and Young Royals and last week’s draw at United Amateurs. That Young Royals win came at Douglas Eyre, so the Eastenders have already won on Sunday’s pitch this season.

Last week’s change of tactics brought a dominant first hour at Hainault. The challenge now is to keep that going for the full 90 minutes.

Players to watch

Danny Fenn: three goals, two assists and two man of the match awards, including Eastside’s goal in the September meeting.
Mason Active: two goals and two assists. He scored last week’s free kick, and he has scored in both games against United Amateurs.
Bobby Goodall: man of the match at Hainault, at the heart of a defence that was outstanding for long spells.
Jack Hobbs: scored the late winner at Douglas Eyre against Young Royals. He knows the way to goal on this pitch.

Come and support

It’s the biggest game of the season so far, and a short trip to Walthamstow. Come down, back the black and gold, and help the Eastenders take on the league leaders.

PRIDE OF THE EAST.