Bethnal Green United made a winning start to life in the Essex Senior League as a strong second-half performance was enough to overcome Hullbridge Sports

HULLBRIDGE SPORTS 0

BETHNAL GREEN UTD 2

Bethnal Green United made a winning start to life in the Essex Senior League as a strong second-half performance was enough to overcome Hullbridge Sports.

The Greens, who were promoted to Step Five of non-league football this summer after winning the Middlesex County League last season, picked up where they left off as Alfred Kamara's 60th-minute strike and a late own-goal secured a deserved victory at the Essex club's Lower Road ground.

Bethnal Green boss Justin Gardner praised his side for a dominant display on their league debut after watching his side emerge victorious following a goalless first half.

He said: "It's a good start. We didn't have a great pre-season and we looked a bit cautious in the first half, but after half-time we were much better.

"Hullbridge have finished in mid-table for the last two years so they're not a bad side. We've got nothing to be scared of in this league."

The Greens survived an early fright when Hullbridge headed narrowly over from a corner before Bethnal Green spurned another good opening as Danny Sabroche produced a tame effort when clean through.

Neither goalkeeper was called into action for the remainder of the half, but the Greens improved after the restart and took the lead when Kamara broke the deadlock after an hour.

Marlon Campbell won the ball in midfield and played a quick one-two with Leon Ryan before releasing Kamara, whose left-foot shot found the far corner.

New signing Chris Theodore made his debut as a second-half substitute and could have sealed the outcome, but shot wildly over when well-placed.

Kamara saw a weak effort saved following good work from Marlon Boateng 10 minutes from time, but the Greens secured victory in the final minute, touching a long pass beyond the Hullbridge goalkeeper and shooting towards goal, only for a covering defender to force the ball into his own net.

Bethnal Green United entertain Takeley at Mile End Stadium on Tuesday (7.45pm).