Young side from Mile End on the road again but will target more joy

East London Advertiser: Tempers boil over between Sporting Bengal and Tower Hamlets (pic; Tim Edwards)Tempers boil over between Sporting Bengal and Tower Hamlets (pic; Tim Edwards) (Image: Archant)

Tower Hamlets manager Ade Abayomi is hoping for another memorable FA Cup match this weekend when he takes his young side to Cockfosters, of the Spartan South Midlands League, for their preliminary round encounter.

The Essex Senior League outfit stunned Wivenhoe Town in the previous round, thrashing them 5-1 and demonstrating their talent.

Although Cockfosters will be a tough test for Hamlets, Abayomi hopes his young side can learn from last weekend’s 3-1 league loss to rivals Sporting Bengal United.

He believes if they can, they could go on to progress further in the famous old competition.

Abayomi said: “I’m hoping it can be another memorable day for us. I know Cockfosters are going to be physical, but I will be telling my players not to react to it.

“You get a much better feeling at the end of the game if you have won rather than reacting and doing something you will regret.

“They are starting to learn it is not only about football, it is about the banter and other things that go on, but it is a learning curve.

“I hope they take on board what happened against Sporting Bengal because the quicker they learn not to react and to keep your discipline, the better they will become.”

If Tower Hamlets can defeat Cockfosters they will pocket £1,925 and visit Thetford Town or Bury Town in the next round.

But first they must get past Cockfosters and the threat they will pose to the young side from Mile End.

“It is another big team and will be a tough game for us. They are going to be a very physical side,” said Abayomi.

“I have seen one or two clips of them from previous games and they are big boys so it will be physical and we must maintain our discipline.”