Essex Senior League: London APSA 1 Tower Hamlets 2

Tower Hamlets took the local bragging rights at Terence McMillan Stadium and moved level on points with Great Wakering and Enfield at the top of the table.

The visitors got off to a great start when, with only three minutes played, they took the lead as Luke With capitalised on some sloppy APSA defending to fire home from 20 yards.

D’Sean Theobalds went close to getting APSA back on terms moments later, going very close with a fine 25-yard effort.

But the home side had keeper Mark Richardson to thank for an outstanding save on 10 minutes to deny Kane Wilson.

APSA had the better of the chances in the lead up to half-time, with Keith Oppong, Billy Hendy and Theobalds all testing the Hamlets keeper, while Josh Thomas saw his attempt cleared off the line.

But the hosts were caught cold again at the start of the second half as Steve Brown took advantage of some poor marking at a set-piece to head home and put Tower Hamlets 2-0 up.

Richardson denied the visitors a third with another impressive save, while Jason Agyekum went close to a reply from Jorge Sambu’s lovely through ball.

The impressive Taj Hussein set up Oppong for a shot at goal, but he sent it straight at the keeper before finally grabbing a last-minute consolation after a nice move involving Theobalds and Sambu.

But it was too late to make any difference to the outcome as Tower Hamlets climbed above Takeley, who were held to a goalless draw at home by Greenhouse, and into third place behind the top two on goal difference.

APSA will look to bounce back when they play host to Basildon on Thursday.

London APSA: Richardson, Hendy, Akanbi, Nyanja, Ali, Adeyemi (Nyarko 46), Theobalds, Sambu, Oppong, Hussein (Nunes 65), Thomas (Agyekum 46).

*London Bari are due to visit Haringey Borough for their first match of 2014 on Tuesday.

The basement boys are set to welcome Sporting Bengal United to the Old Spotted Dog on Saturday, while Clapton travel to Great Wakering and London APSA visit Sawbridgeworth.

Tower Hamlets have a home fixture against Greenhouse scheduled for Saturday.