Chowdhury delighted as his team book place in first round of the FA Vase

Sporting Bengal United boss Mamun Chowdhury MBE was delighted with his side’s 3-1 win at Sawbridgeworth which saw the east Londoners through to the first round of the FA Vase.

Javier Riveria starred for the visitors, grabbing a hat-trick, but Chowdhury was full of praise for every member of his side.

“I am pretty chuffed to tell you the truth,” he said.

“The whole team played very well and it is only the second time that we have reached this stage of the competition.”

From the first whistle, Sporting took control of the game, playing at a high tempo.

Then on the half-hour mark, Riveria scored his first of the match from the penalty spot after an infringement in the box.

Following the goal, Shahed Ahmed and Kirt O’Brien started to dictate the play in the centre of midfield and at half time Sporting led 1-0.

In the second half, Sporting once again created the better of the chances.

The visitors were then awarded their second penalty of the game when O’Brien’s goalbound header was blocked by a Sawbridgeworth defender’s hand on the line.

Once again Riveria stepped up to convert the spot kick.

On 75 minutes, the striker completed his hat-trick to seal the tie and score his seventh goal in just five games.

Then three minutes before full time, the hosts pulled a goal back from the spot, but the game was already won.

“Javier is in great form,” said Chowdhury. “He was brilliant and very hard to play against.

“I thought that Sawbridgeworth were very lucky to finish the game with all 11 men on the pitch following the penalties.

“I thought that we were good value for our win and to be honest we should have scored more goals than we did.

“Our keeper only had one save to make and we quite easily should have won by a bigger margin.”

Following their win in the second qualifying round, Sporting now find themselves in the first-round of the FA Vase and face a daunting trip to Burnham Ramblers, but Chowdhury is not feeling the pressure.

“We are delighted to get through to this stage,” he said.

“We face a bit of a trek to get to Burnham, but we are happy with the draw.

“If we progress though, we would love to get a home draw.”

This Saturday, Sporting host Eton Manor in their first home game of the season in the Essex Senior League, following extensive repair works to Mile End Stadium.

“The lads are really looking forward to finally playing at home,” added Chowdhury.

“It will be a tough game, but we will be looking to continue the strong start to the season we have made, and build on our current league position.”