Title hopefuls keep pace at top

Tower Hamlets enjoyed another successful week to keep pace with Essex Senior League leaders Great Wakering Rovers and manager Ajibola Olatunbosun is targeting more wins.

Hamlets played Hullbridge last night (Tuesday) and visit Haringey Borough this weekend.

Sporting Bengal are the opposition on Monday and Olatunbosun wants another nine-point week after beating Barking, Greenhouse and Basildon.

He said: “I was aiming for seven points out of nine so was over the moon to get all nine.

“We would like another nine points if possible, but I would accept seven from the next three games.”

The derby with Sporting is the biggest match of the three and Olatunbosun admits everyone raises their performance for those fixtures.

“I watched Sporting against Haringey recently,” he added. “But they wouldn’t have shown the heart and desire every team puts into a derby so we know it will be a difficult match.

“They don’t want to lose to us and my boys don’t want to lose to them so it should be exciting and hopefully we get the win.”

A tough battle with Haringey is expected before that, though, as Olatunbosun added: “They’re a good team. We played them third game of the season and beat them 2-1.

“I knew they would be one of the strongest teams. They’re very good and we expect a tough game but I’m confident we can get three points.”

Tom harvey, Jay Taylor and Luke With netted in a 3-1 win over Greenhouse, with Kane Wilson, With and Isaac on target in another success against Basildon.

Olatunbosun said: “We played Basildon earlier in the season and won, but we were a bit lucky. This time we absolutely played them off the park.

“I was delighted, especially because we didn’t know what team we was going to get with injuries.

“I had to make a few changes against Greenhouse and I brought a couple of the under-18s into the team and they impressed me.

“Luke With wasn’t fully fit, but he got through 45 minutes and scored so it was another pleasing victory.”

n A late penalty from Fahad Nyanja earned London APSA a 1-0 win at Southend Manor on Monday.

But Sporting Bengal had to settle for a 2-2 draw at Ilford, after Bobby Redwood and Yassir Rashid had twice given them the lead.

Clapton slipped to a 1-0 home loss against Bowers.

Fixtures (league unless stated), Wednesday: Sporting Bengal v Southend Manor. Thursday: Greenhouse v London Bari; London APSA v Ilford; Eton Manor v Clapton (Gordon Brasted Trophy). Saturday: Haringey Boro v Tower Hamlets; London APSA v Clapton; London Bari v Ilford; Sporting Bengal v Great Wakering. Monday: Tower Hamlets v Sporting Bengal. Tuesday: Clapton v London Bari.