After excellent win on Monday, Mile End Stadium club don’t play for another two weeks

East London Advertiser: Sporting Bengal United players (blue) defend a corner against Essex Senior League rivals Bowers & Pitsea (pic: Steve Alison).Sporting Bengal United players (blue) defend a corner against Essex Senior League rivals Bowers & Pitsea (pic: Steve Alison). (Image: Archant)

Sporting Bengal United manager Anwar Uddin is frustrated his team cannot build on their wonderful win at Essex Senior League title challengers Bowers & Pitsea until May.

The Mile End club pulled off a shock on Monday night by registering a 1-0 success at the Len Salmon Stadium after Abdisamad Mohamed scored four minutes from time.

It was a fine result for Bengal and means they have set a record points total this season of 46 – the best they achieved since entering the division in the 2011/12 season.

But they do not finish their campaign until Monday, May 2 when they visit Greenhouse Sports.

That fixture was originally set to be played last Saturday, but postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and Greenhouse saw their clash with Basildon abandoned on Monday night, which has been rescheduled for this weekend.

“It’s a bit devastating that we’re not playing now until May, but it just sums it up this season really doesn’t it?” said Uddin.

“I know teams need to catch up fixtures and this situation is slightly different to normal as it was abandoned, but we just can’t wait for the next game now.

“The season will be all but over by the time we play this match which will be a bit strange, but our result against Bowers on Monday showed everyone what we can do and gives us a good feeling going into the summer.”

Uddin challenged his players before the match and was impressed to see them rise to the occasion. He admitted it was mixed emotions for him, though, after finally beating the club’s record points total.

“I said we are playing against a team that finished fourth in the biggest competition at our level. They are probably the best side in our division and if we want to reach a higher level as a club or as players, this is when you need to show you can cope,” added Bengal’s boss.

“All credit to the boys because they rose to the challenge and up against a big team, they delivered. It is a proud moment to beat our record points total, but it has been well documented how frustrated I have been this season.

“After Monday night, it shows we should be a top eight side, but at the same time the table doesn’t lie.”

The ex-Dagenham & Redbridge captain conceded he shouldn’t be too unhappy with their current place in the table.

But knows the next step is ensuring they are in the top half, he added: “You do have to factor in several things, but I’m glad we’ve beat the record and the players have all improved.

“When we look back at this season we will view it as a success, but I’d like to have seen us in that top eight.

“I’m a bit of a perfectionist so shouldn’t be too disheartened, but as a fan if you saw us beat Bowers on Monday you would ask how is that team only 12th.

“Listen it is frustrating, but it’s the way it is. For the time being it is ok, but the next thing is to look at how we can turn our draws into wins and get ourselves further up the table.”