Former Dagenham & Redbridge skipper praises local talent after entertaining clash with rivals

East London Advertiser: Sporting Bengal face the camera before their derby success against Tower Hamlets (pic: Sporting Bengal)Sporting Bengal face the camera before their derby success against Tower Hamlets (pic: Sporting Bengal) (Image: Archant)

Sporting Bengal United boss Anwar Uddin was delighted his first home match of the new campaign brought an opening success of the season.

What made Saturday’s 3-1 Essex Senior League win extra special was that it came against Bengal’s local rivals Tower Hamlets.

Carlos Aoldirve put Uddin’s men ahead, before Omar Rowe equalised for the away side. But second-half substitute Yacine Teladjati scored twice late on to give Bengal bragging rights.

It was also Uddin’s first match in the Mile End Stadium as Bengal manager and it ended up being a great occasion.

He said: “We were delighted with the result and it was a really nice day. It was the first time I have managed in the stadium.

“I have done sports days and grown up here, so to have my first match at Mile End as a manager against our rivals was brilliant.

“My assistant went to see Tower Hamlets against Basildon and the reports we got back were very positive about them and the way they try to play football.

“He was impressed with what he saw, but we had a game-plan that we thought we could use to take advantage of their weakness and it worked.”

A crowd of 64 watched the four-goal thriller and witnessed some excellent football. Uddin was thrilled with the display.

He discussed the talent of match-winner Teladjati as well as others in his squad, before also talking up the local potential.

“Yacine has done very well, but we have a few talented players like that in the group,” added Uddin.

“At this level of football they just need a little bit of direction and help in certain areas about how to improve. In east London there is so much talent.

“We have loads of local leagues and community clubs and it really is a hotbed for talent. A lot of teams higher up can’t always take a chance on some of these young, skillful players, so I think both Tower Hamlets and Sporting Bengal can benefit from getting the best out of these players.”

Bengal are without a match on Saturday, but they host Burnham in the FA Vase next weekend, Uddin said: “We will get the players together this weekend and work on some things that we can improve and a few other issues.

“They definitely deserve some rest, though, and that is key if we are to continue being successful because we have a long season ahead.”