FA Vase first round: Sporting Bengal United 6 Southall 2
If Saturday night was a scare fest, then the day at the Mile End Stadium was a goalfest, as Sporting Bengal United progressed to the second round of the FA Vase with a 6-2 victory over Southall.
A hat trick from Tunde Adewumni and a brace from Abdi Mohamed earned the hosts a fine victory in a horror second-half show for the visitors.
The first 20 minutes didn’t give the impression that a high scoring encounter was to ensue as both teams looked to settle their nerves.
But on the half hour mark, there was a heart in the mouth moment for the Southall goalkeeper, Dominic Cassells, when his attempt to catch a Yacine Teladjati shot slipped through his gloves and almost ended in a nightmare.
Moments later, Cassells did have to pick the ball out of his net. Good pressing from the Bengal midfield saw them get the ball in a dangerous area, Sporting captain Joswar Gonzalez’s through ball put Adewumni one-on-one and he rounded the keeper to give the hosts a one nil victory going into half time.
Encouraged by their lead, Bengal came out of the blocks well in the second half and were rewarded with a shoddy piece of defending that typified Southall’s performance.
A simple long ball forward left both centre backs spellbound, with Mohamed allowed to run through on goal, and lob the rushing goalkeeper, to make it 2-0.
It was three before the hour mark, as Mohamed went on a dazzling run into the box before squaring to a grateful Adewumni who swept home.
Bengal’s defence had a slight scare on the hour mark as Michael Williams had to clear off his own line.
The Southall pressure lead to the Bengal fourth, as a flowing counter attack saw Mohamed through on goal again, once more he unselfishly set his teammate up, this time Teladjati getting in on the action.
After 85 minutes the crowd was treated to a landslide of goals, with four goals coming before the final whistle. The first completed a fine day for striker Adewumni, this time latching onto a Teladjeti through ball and rounding Cassells once again, to complete his treble, making it 10 from 10 games, for the striker.
A rare defensive error from the Bengal back four, who were praised by their manager in his post-match analysis, gave Southall a consolation goal.
Jayras Jejada’s shot was tipped onto the post by Lewis Lockyear, but Kadeem Roderique hit home the follow up.
It was soon two to the visitors, as a bursting run and cross from Roderique found Edwin Akoto, who slotted home, giving them something to cheer on the journey home.
Yet Mohamed made sure Bengal had the last laugh, scoring the standout goal of the match with the last kick of the game.
He ran across the defence before nonchalantly chipping home from outside the box, it was the icing on the cake from a dominant Bengal display.
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