Ajay Ashnike looks back on league clashes against Barking and rivals Sporting Bengal United
Tower Hamlets player-coach Ajay Ashnike was pleased to pick up a point against local rivals and Essex Senior League basement boys Sporting Bengal United last weekend.
The battle of the Mile End Stadium clubs ended in a 1-1 draw, a slightly surprising result after Ashnike’s team defeated Barking 3-0 last Wednesday (March 25).
An own-goal by Jerome Paul seemed like giving Bengal the bragging rights on Saturday, though, before Liton Zaman also put through his own net nine minutes from time to give the two rivals a share of the spoils.
“It wasn’t a bad game actually, but some of the boys looked tired after putting in a good shift on Wednesday against Barking,” said Ashnike. “We did think they would be a bit leggy.
“I went and watched Sporting Bengal against Ilford a few weeks ago and they were never going to have the same heart in that game as they would against us.
“It doesn’t matter where you are in the league it is a derby so all about who wants it more on the day, but both teams wanted it as much as each other.
“It was two own-goals and Jerome was a bit unlucky with his because he was trying to clear it off the line. I think 1-1 was a good point for us.”
The stalemate meant Tower Hamlets extended their unbeaten run to four matches and picked up four points from the week.
Ashnike’s team consigned Mick O’Shea Barking to their first away defeat in the league last week with a stunning 3-0 victory.
Ashaan Siddik scored twice, whilst Kobie Ambrose added another as top of the table Blues lost for just the fourth time this campaign.
Tower Hamlets were two up inside 17 minutes and their player-coach conceded even he was shocked by proceeding at Mile End Stadium.
Ashnike added: “When the first and second went in I was thinking what the hell is going on here!
“We went to their place in February and they beat us 1-0 and scored in the last few minutes so we wanted revenge.
“From the first minute the boys were on it and we had a few of the team from last season as well so they wanted to beat them too.
“It was a massive achievement by us and really good considering what we have been through this season. It shows what we can do next year. Barking are a team pushing for the title so it was incredible to beat them.”
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