Matt Dean reports on the East London side’s victory over local rivals in the Essex Senior League.
London Bari overcame a stern test from Sporting Bengal to celebrate a 1-0 win away at Mile End Stadium. A goal from Substitute Benjamin Oni in the 74th minute was enough to seal the three points for the visitors.
It was a dull East London derby with very few clear cut chances. Junior Decker could have broken the deadlock after five minutes but he failed to trouble Sporting goalkeeper Shamimaz Zaman with his effort.
From then on, both sides struggled to create opportunities in front of goal , reflecting some fine defending.
With the scores level and the game petering out, London Bari manager Cristopher Davis brought on substitute Oni in the 68th minute in an attempt to spark his side into life.
Oni paid back his manager’s faith after a mix up in the Sporting Bengal back line handed him a clear sight of goal with only the keeper to beat. The fresh-legged substitute made no mistake as he calmly beat Zaman with a superb chip.
A quick response from Sporting saw them work an opportunity at the other end, only for Maamoun Khan to carelessly put his shot wide.
Bari were forced to endure late pressure from the home side but Sporting failed to find a way through a stubborn Bari Defence.
London Bari will look to extend their unbeaten run to six in their next fixture against Tower Hamlet at Mile End Stadium.
TEAMS:
Sporting Bengal: Zaman, M William, Ngulube, Borozam, Adeyemi, Kahie, P William, Roberts (Khan 68), Adewunmi, Noubissie, Jogae. Unused subs: Meikle, Ogazi, Burns
London Bari: Boateng, McCarthy, Abdellaziz, Jimoh, Mpalampa, Athanaze (Nishizawa 85), Decker, Elukaydoe, Murson (Oni 68), Oloyede, Sanda (Sanchez 46). Unused sub: Koymen