Imrul Gazi’s men will travel to The Only Way Is Essex land this weekend for an FA Cup tie

Tower Hamlets were unable to join local rivals Sporting Bengal United in the preliminary round of the FA Cup this week.

AJ Ashanike took his team back to Stanway Rovers on Tuesday to replay their extra preliminary round tie after the original clash on August 11 was abandoned.

A meeting with the FA decided the tie would be played again this week at the Hawthorns, but the hosts’ ran out 2-0 victors to dump Hamlets out of the competition.

It extends the Mile End Stadium club’s winless run this season as the new-look squad take time to gel together.

Hamlets have played four times during the 2018/19 campaign and lost on three occasions and drawn once away to Leyton Athletic.

Last weekend, Ashanike’s men played their first home match of the Essex Senior League term, but were unable to stop Redbridge claiming a 3-1 win.

The Motormen held a two-goal lead at half time and made it 3-0 after the restart before Amon Walton-Owen pulled one back.

Days later and Hamlets visited divisional rivals Stanway and yet again found themselves trailing by two goals at the break.

Even though they created lots of second-half opportunities, they were unable to reduce the deficit and exited the competition at the extra preliminary stage and don’t play again now until September 1.

It has been a much better week for Sporting Bengal despite boss Imrul Gazi being away for their league match on Saturday.

The Mile End Stadium club made the trip to new boys Saffron Walden Town and produced an eight-goal thriller.

It seemed done and dusted at Catons Lane when the home side went 4-1 up and Bengal captain Freddy Tandon received a red card, but the east Londoners once again showed superb mettle.

Bengal managed to fight back and claim a point following a 4-4 draw to leave Gazi, who was still in America at the time, happy.

He said: “Another goalfest, this time away to Saffron Walden. We went 3-0 down, had a man sent off at 3-1 and then squared the game at 4-4 to take a massive point.

“I’m so proud of my lads. How’s that for a test of character? Great effort gents.”

Next up for Bengal is a trip to Bostik North outfit Brentwood Town on Saturday for an FA Cup preliminary round tie where £2,890 is up for grabs in prize money for the winner.