London Bari pay penalty in London Senior Cup at Erith & Belvedere despite Joel Appiah opener

Sporting Bengal United let a two-goal lead slip to suffer another Essex Senior League defeat at Takeley last night.

Imrul Gazi’s men travelled to Station Road on the back of a 3-0 home loss to Southall in the FA Vase at the weekend, but looked to have put that disappointment behind them as they took control.

Bobby Redwood struck twice inside the first 20 minutes to suggest a much-needed win might be on the cards for the east Londoners, who are languishing towards the foot of the table and playing catch-up after their exploits in knockout competitions.

But their cause was not helped by an injury to centre-back Mark Wheeler and Reece Barrett gave Takeley hope with a superb effort from 35 yards before the break.

Charlie Cole then squared matters just past the hour mark and the home side claimed all three points after Jordan Westcott netted a winner on 70 minutes.

Defeat leaves Bengal next to bottom with only eight points from 11 matches ahead of their trip to Barrows Farm to face Enfield on Saturday.

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London Bari bowed out of the London Senior Cup after a penalty shoot-out defeat at Erith & Belvedere last night.

Joel Appiah gave the visitors the lead six minutes before the break at Welling United’s Park View Road, but the home side were back on terms within a minute of the restart through Josh Froggatt.

And when neither side could find a winner so it went to penalties with Erith scoring the first spot-kick before Bari levelled.

The hosts went 2-1 ahead before Chris Davis’ team had an effort saved, but the Kent club couldn’t take advantage as their next penalty was thwarted.

Bari converted their next spot-kick to make it 2-2 before the next five penalties were all successful.

But with the Essex Senior League club needing to score with their fifth effort to set up sudden death, Erith goalkeeper Sam I’Anson saved to send his team through 5-4 on penalties.

Bari now face a free weekend in the Essex Senior League, before they welcome Burnham Ramblers to the Old Spotted Dog next Tuesday (November 1).