Disappointment for Essex Senior League rivals
Tower Hamlets 1 Stansted 2
Tower Hamlets had nothing to show for their efforts being grounded by Stansted at Mile End Stadium.
Kerfala Korouma put Ade Abayomi’s men ahead after only 12 minutes, but it was all square once again as the Airportmen produced a good team move and a telling ball into the box that saw Abdeen Abdul slot home.
Abdul was pulling the strings for Stansted in the second half, with another chance flying over the bar before the visitors were awarded a penalty.
And the home side had a let-off as the penalty was saved by Stinca and, although the rebound was tucked away, the effort was ruled out for offside.
But the respite was brief as Jack Isherwood put Stansted 2-1 up just past the hour mark.
And, after Hamlets had strong penalty shouts turned down late on, it proved to be the decider as the visitors took off with all three points at the final whistle.
Hamlets have plenty of incentive to bounce back in their next match as they meet neighbours Sporting Bengal at Mile End Stadium on Wednesday.
Tower Hamlets: Stinca, Earle, Cedras, Abayomi, Orenaike, Ramos, da Silva, Teberen, Korouma, Akinlabi. Subs: Ibrahim, Rui Pina, da Silva, Bambo, Adama Bamba.
***
Basildon United 2 Sporting Bengal 0
Imrul Gazi’s Sporting Bengal made a losing start to the Essex Senior League season at the Stuart Bingham Stadium.
Having enjoyed FA Cup successes against Ipswich Wanderers and Clapton, to reach the first qualifying round for the first time in their history, the Mile End Stadium club belatedly opened their league campaign against the Bees.
But they conceded late goals in each half to come away empty-handed.
Nathan Dewberry opened the scoring on the stroke of half time, beating 18-year-old debutant keeper Matheus Brito, and the home side sealed the points on 85 minutes when Yaw Danso slotted home a second.
Gazi tweeted: “Well done to @BasildonUTD deserved win. It’s a steep learning curve for the lads. We’ll correct the errors get things right on Wed night.”
Sporting Bengal: Brito, Adeji, Cameron, Choudhury, Hussain, Rahman, Ratambwa, Rivera, Tandon, Vaughan, Wright. Subs: Ahmed, Garner-Weekes, Samad.
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