Isthmian Division One North, Wednesday September 11th
I popped over to Mile End for my latest venture to see two sides who had began the season well, Sporting Bengal United were embarking on their first ever season at this level after back to back promotions from Step Six, and they were up against a Basildon United outfit who had won all three of their league games thus far.
The hosts themselves had a 100% record at home after winning both their games so far this season at Mile End, so something had to give this evening, who would prevail and keep their records going, assuming it didn't end a draw of course!!!
A lively first period ensued, Basildon having the better chances, the best one falling to Ruben Bartlett-Antwi who someone fired an effort from point blank range at hosts keeper Sidi Haidara who made a brilliant stop to thwart the striker, the hosts best opening saw the lively and dangerous Tanel Ayvaz drill a decent ball across the six yard box but no one was able to get on the end of it.
It meant a goalless first period, but the Bees got their noses in front nine minutes after the break when a brilliant run down the left by Darren Esuka saw him square a pass into the box for Karl Kayembe to run onto and side foot home beyond Haidara in the hosts goal, however, Sporting managed to respond to going behind when with just under twenty minutes to go, a square ball across goal was tapped home by Kevin Krans.
Parity though did not last long as Basildon quickly regained the lead, Nidal Berri had only been on the pitch two minutes when he managed to convert from inside the box in the 73rd minute, and then seven minutes after that the visitors extended their advantage when a flick on found Bartlett-Antwi, and after seeing two previous chances from point blank range saved by Haidara earlier in the game, he managed to round the keeper this time and slot into the net.
Sporting then laid siege to the visitors goal for the next ten minutes or so as they looked for a route back into the contest, but they just could not find that second goal that would have made the final few minutes interesting, a scrum inside the six yard box somehow saw the visitors keep the hosts out, and then another effort was deflected onto the bar as Basildon did all they could to remain two goals ahead.
The counter was always a danger for the hosts, and two minutes into stoppage time they were caught on one such counter as the superb Esuka again did excellently down the left, and he squared to Berri who eventually managed to slot past am exposed Haidara and seal the points for the visiting side, much to the joy of the travelling contingent who had come to Mile End for the evening.
Hard on the hosts who more than competed in this physical battle, they certainly made the visitors work hard for the win, but it means their 100% home record ends here and it's now two wins and three defeats in their five league matches thus far, for Basildon it's now four wins from four in the division as they go top of a very early league table, exciting times indeed for the Bees who take on second placed Bury Town at the weekend, oooooh.....
Full time Sporting Bengal United 1 Basildon United 4
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