Abayomi happy to see young side bounce back

Tower Hamlets boss Ade Abayomi claims his young squad can take ‘heart’ from their 1-0 victory over Essex Senior League rivals Wadham Lodge on Saturday.

A goal from Anthony Ikenwe eight minutes before the break, and the sending-off of Wadham goalkeeper Steven French, were enough to earn Hamlets their first win of the new season.

And Abayomi admitted he was relieved to see his side bounce back following their 4-0 defeat to Barkingside in midweek.

“It was a good win and one which we needed, because the longer you go without a win in the league the more difficult it becomes to get that first win,” said Abayomi.

“I’m glad that we’ve got our first points on the board, but I’m also pleased with the way we played because I thought we played well.

“Wadham Lodge are a good team who I expect to do well this season, but I thought we showed that we deserved to win, even in the second half when their keeper went off they responded well, but I felt like we still contained them.

“It wasn’t only an impressive performance, but it was the performance that I wanted to see from the boys, so they can take heart from this game.”

Abayomi was especially pleased to see his side contain Lodge to achieve their first clean sheet of the season, after conceding a total of eight goals in the previous three games.

“For me the biggest thing is that we didn’t concede because achieving a clean sheet is vital,” he added.

“For me the more clean sheets we can get the higher we can finish in the table, I always have the belief that we can score against any side, it’s just about trying to keep them out at the other end.”

Hamlets return to action in the FA Cup preliminary round on Saturday, when they face a trip to league rivals Sawbridgeworth Town.