Essex Senior League: Tower Hamlets 2 London Bari 0

Tower Hamlets defeated London Bari in convincing fashion in their Essex Senior League derby at Mile End Stadium last night.

The hosts started the game nervously, twice giving the ball away to Bari striker Toheeb Oloyede in the first five minutes.

Through on goal on both occasions, Oloyede was first stopped by a last-ditch tackle by Deeworn Miller and saw his second effort saved by Hamlets keeper.

But it was not long before Hamlets settled and took control of the game, taking the lead from a well-worked team move in the 12th minute.

O’Neal Rowe received the ball on the right wing just inside Bari’s half, and spotted the run of his strike partner Edison Teboren.

Rowe whipped a ball around the back of the Bari defence to the opposite side of the pitch where Teboren ran towards goal and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net.

Three minutes later and Rowe and Teboren linked up again, this time with the roles reversed.

Teboren dinked the ball over the back four to Rowe who made Bari’s keeper produce a point-blank reaction save.

Tower Hamlets looked in total control of their last home game of the season at this poinbt, restricting Bari to long range efforts.

The best attempt from the visitors came from their left-back, who struck the crossbar from 35 yards.

The dominance of Tower Hamlets continued after the restart, with their second goal coming 10 minutes into the second half.

Alberto Martinez turned quickly when receiving the ball and found himself time and space in front of Bari’s back four, before unleashed a devastatingly powerful shot that was too much for Bari’s keeper.

Both teams would have chances to counter attack throughout the game, often outnumbering their opponent’s defence, but neither could make these chances count.

Bari hit the woodwork again later on, but by that stage the game was already won.

It was a solid team performance from Tower Hamlets, who will hope this becomes the norm as they seek to escape from the lower end of the table.

Bari will feel disappointed that their recent good form deserted them here, as they failed to cause Tower Hamlets any real difficulties.

Manager Chris Davis will be hoping this was a bad night’s work and they can continue to climb up the table.

Tower Hamlets: Stinca, Tandor (Sumithran 61), Cedras, Martinez, Miller, Lazoio, O’Neal Rowe, Traore, Ali (Garcia 46), Teberen (Amieye 72), Akinlabi.