Mile End Stadium manager has impressed since taking charge in the summer and is looking to change reputation of the east London club

East London Advertiser: A Sporting Bengal player gets in a shot against Burnham (pic Tim Edwards)A Sporting Bengal player gets in a shot against Burnham (pic Tim Edwards) (Image: Archant)

Imrul Gazi has a lot of admiration for Sporting Bengal United’s opponents on Saturday, Takeley, and feels they are among the best teams in the Essex Senior League.

Bengal host the high-flying side at the Mile End Stadium on Saturday in great form of their own having won their last three games.

Fourth-placed Takeley will provide Gazi’s team with one of their toughest tests, however, having scored 15 goals in their last four matches.

He said: “They are flying at the moment and are a really good side. I have been involved in the Sporting Bengal set-up for three years now and always admired them.

“They have great facilities too and one of the best pitches in the league plus the people at the club are very welcoming.

“It is always a pleasure to see them and they play football the right way, so I am really looking forward to it.

“On top of that it is our last home game of the season, so we will be looking to really finish on a high.”

Bengal had a case of deja vu last weekend and for the right reasons, as they secured a 2-1 win over struggling Burnham Ramblers.

Shiblu Miah and Oscar Almeida Mendes netted in the victory just seven days after Gazi’s team had triumphed by the same scoreline with the exact two goalscorers at Southend Manor.

Bengal would certainly take another 2-1 success this weekend and their boss is happy with the progress they are making.

After taking charge in the summer, Gazi is hoping to change the reputation of the Mile End Stadium club.

Despite sitting fourth from bottom, Bengal have earned plenty of praise in recent months for their impressive form.

“Saturday is another test for us, but we like to be underdogs and we will try to play our football,” said Gazi.

“I always want us to give a good account of ourselves, so hopefully we do that again and I want people to talk about Sporting Bengal and say we are a good team.

“I am trying to get us some more respect. I do feel in years people have looked at the club and just seen us as making up the numbers, so I want to change that.”