Bethnal Green United take control in title race

Bethnal Green United have been handed a golden chance to lift the Middlesex County League title after a shock slip-up by championship rivals Hayes United.

The Bethnal Green club will be crowned league champions if they win their final two Premier Division matches after a crushing 5-1 win over Kodak Harrow moved the club to within two points of leaders Hayes, who were last week held to a 1-1 by mid-table Southall.

The prospect of a surprise title triumph would complete a dramatic turnaround for United, who failed to win three of their opening four matches this season and have not held top spot during the course of the campaign.

Even a fortnight ago, Hayes looked certainties to be crowned champions, but the leaders have faltered with the finish line in sight, recording one win in their past three games to hand the advantage to United.

Now the East End outfit, who face a Senior Cup final clash against Indian Gymkhana on Saturday, have a chance to complete a memorable double by winning their final three matches.

Manager Justin Gardner said: "We looked out of [the title race] a couple of weeks ago but we kept putting pressure on Hayes and it's in our hands now.

"We've been on a fantastic run and we've just got to make sure we finish the job. We've got three games to make history."

Despite missing eight senior players for the trip to Harrow, United rarely looked in trouble after Marvin Abegunde had opened the scoring in the 15th minute with an overhead kick from Marlon Boateng's corner.

Bethnal Green's seventh straight win was all but confirmed when Jamie Barry doubled the lead from the spot following a foul on Michael Begg, and though Harrow pulled a goal back after the restart, Danny Sabroche tapped in to restore the two-goal lead.

In-form Sabroche netted his side's fourth from a Begg pass before Boateng lashed in from 30 yards late on.

United meet Indian Gymkhana in the Senior Cup final at Yeading FC's The Warren ground on Saturday (7.45pm).