Football squad draw positives

The University of East London’s second string produced a great second-half comeback to nick a point in their 2-2 draw with University of Essex thirds at Beckton District Park.

UEL conceded early second-half goals, the first creeping in at Dan Robinson’s near post before a great header put Essex 2-0 up.

The home side got back in the game with a header through Michael Ogboin and grabbed a late equaliser as Ogboin struck again.

UEL dominated the early exchanges and almost got a reward thanks to Dylan Feehily’s long throw, but Tobi Adesina’s header went over.

Essex had a great opportunity following some neat passing just inside the UEL half and a deadly pass broke the UEL defence to put the striker in on goal, but he scuffed horrifically wide.

Adesina stormed down the left flank on the half-hour mark, chasing the ball down and nicking it off the defender to burst towards goal but his shot went just wide of the far post.

UEL’s best chance of the half came just before the break, when another huge Feehily throw was flicked on at the near post for Ogboin to head goalwards, only for the ball to be palmed away by the Essex keeper.

Essex took the lead six minutes into the second half against the run of play, when a long ball up to their front man allowed him to turn and his shot squeezed underneath Robinson.

UEL were stunned and paid the price when a corner from the right was arrowed in and met by the Essex centre-back with a bullet header to double their lead.

The hosts then upped the tempo and momentum to pin Essex in their own half which paid off on 68 minutes when a long ball was switched out wide to Adesina, who found a yard of space to hit a shot which went straight at the keeper but was spilled, and Ogboin headed in the rebound.

UEL equalised with ten minutes left as Jaden Osei-Bonsu persisted on the left flank and played in Ogboin, who used his upper body strength to hold off a defender and send his shot inside the far post.

The hosts nearly won it with six minutes left, as Joshua Adjei whipped in cross that was met by an unmarked Adesina.

The ball looked to be heading in, but a brilliant diving save denied UEL the win.

UEL: Dan Robinson, Dylan Feehily, Conrad Roda, Jaden Osei-Bonsu, John Daly, Marcus Smithies (James Awokoya 50), Harry Matthews, Joshua, Adjei, Cemal Agdelen, Michael Ogboin, Tobi Adesina.