Essex Senior League: London APSA 1 Basildon 2

East London Advertiser: London APSA players celebrate Jason Agyekum's early goal (pic: AZ Images)London APSA players celebrate Jason Agyekum's early goal (pic: AZ Images) (Image: ©AZSPORTSiMAGES)

London APSA were left to rue a series of missed chances as they slipped to defeat at a wet Terence McMillan Stadium last night.

The home side, beaten 2-1 at home by local rivals Tower Hamlets at the weekend, got off to a perfect start after being awarded a penalty in the fifth minute.

Bismark Donkor was brought down in the box by visiting keeper Steve Brown and Jason Agyekum stepped up to convert from the spot.

Brown let a header from Fahad Nyanja slipped through his fingers soon after, but the ball trickled just wide.

And when the corner was only cleared as far as Vendel Nunes, he fired his shot just past the post from the edge of the box.

Agyekum’s cross picked out Donkor soon after, but Brown produced an excellent save low down this time to keep it at 1-0.

Basildon came back at the hosts after that nervy start and Mark Richardson had to get down at his near post to keep out Angelo Ogensey’s shot on the turn.

Leon Smith then produced a surging run and his shot was tipped onto the crossbar by Richardson, but poor marking allowed Ellis Sands to smash home the equaliser from the edge of the box.

Donkor and Agyekum went close to restoring APSA’s lead before the break, but they made the worst possible start to the second period as Basildon took the lead.

A hopeful long clearance was misjudged by Alex Akanbi, allowing Ogensey to slot the ball low past Richardson within minutes of the restart.

APSA had claims for another penalty waved away, when Donkor raced through on goal and appeared to be hauled down, and substitute Josh Thomas forced an excellent save from Brown at a free-kick.

But as APSA poured forward into attack, their rivals held firm to run off with the points.

APSA’s scheduled trip to Sawbridgeworth tomorrow (Saturday) has already fallen victim to a waterlogged pitch.

Their next fixture is at home against Eton Manor on January 25.

APSA: Richardson, Hendy, Akanbi (Thomas 75), Nyanja, Beaupierre, Hussain (Adeyemi 60), Sambu, Nunes, Donkor, Agyekum, Kahle (Singh 60). Unused subs: Theobalds, Ali.