Essex Senior League: FC Romania 1 Tower Hamlets 2

Tower Hamlets claimed a much-needed win over FA Cup giantkillers FC Romania at Cheshunt last night.

AJ Olatunbosun’s side travelled to Theobalds Lane on the back of a disappointing 2-1 loss at Eton Manor at the weekend, while the hosts had celebrated a 1-0 victory at Haringey Borough which ended their long winning streak.

And Hamlets broke the deadlock with only 10 minutes gone when Joe James flicked home from a corner.

FC Romania, with a big FA Cup tie against Sutton ahead of them this weekend, drew level before the interval but Hamlets regained the lead when Vinny Williams slotted home six minutes into the second half.

The home side’s hopes of salvaging a point were hit when they were reduced to 10 men on 77 minutes and Hamlets held on for three vital points.

*East London rivals Clapton, Newham and Sporting Bengal all bowed out of the Essex Senior Cup this week.

Zakir Hussain’s Newham travelled to rural Essex to take on Halstead Town but slipped to a 2-0 defeat against the Thurlow Nunn Division One outfit.

Clapton, meanwhile, were knocked out after conceding an 89th-minute goal at Stanway Rovers, having played the first 20 minutes of their tie with only nine players.

The Tons were delayed en route due to traffic trouble on the notorious A12 and the tie was delayed for 45 minutes, before kicking off at 8,30pm.

Clapton kept the scoreline blank despite their numerical disadvantage, until reaching a full quota of players and had chances of their own in the second half.

James Briggs sent a free-kick over the bar late on, while Pape Diagne produced a superb save to deny Stanway and suggest a penalty shoot-out would be needed.

But the home side snatched a winner with time almost up and were subsequently handed a home tie against Brightlingsea Regent in the next round.

Sporting Bengal took their tie at Barking to penalties, after goals from Sarfraz Pivano and Mauricio Rincon forced a 2-2 draw.

But the hosts kept their nerve from the spot to win the shootout 5-4 and earned a trip to Conference South side Chelmsford.

*Newham face an early start to their Essex Senior League fixture against Waltham Forest tomorrow, kicking off at 11am at the Old Spotted Dog ground.

It is the first half of a double-header at the venue as Clapton host Bowers at 3pm, while London Bari are on the road to Sawbridgeworth.

Sporting Bengal welcome Stansted to Mile End Stadium, meanwhile, as Tower Hamlets face a blank Saturday.