Moses Kaddu reports on a successful away trip to Herefordshire for UEL 1st.
The University of East London 1sts top the British University and College Sport Southern Eastern Division 1A, after a solid 3-1 away victory against the University of Herefordshire 1sts.
A Johan Caney-Bryan hat-trick sealed the three points for UEL and make it three wins in a row, to take advantage at the top of the table.
In the first 15 minutes, UEL showed their attacking threat through Michael Ogboin and Johan Caney-Bryan with good link up play – both testing the Herefordshire keeper early on.
Liam MacDevitt found joy beating their left-back numerous times and delivered dangerous crosses into the box but no UEL frontman could convert.
UEL broke the deadlock through a 50-yard ball into the channel from MacDevitt to teammate Caney-Bryan. He latched onto the lofted pass and from the corner of the 18-yard box unleashed a shot, which found its way in from an acute angle.
Heating up
The East London side doubled their lead 35 minutes in, as MacDevitt’s long throw into the area was flicked on by Michael Ogboin towards fellow striker Caney-Bryan who volleyed the ball in to the back of the net from 6-yards out.
As half-time approached, Herefordshire converted from the corner which UEL struggled to clear. The ball bounced around inside the UEL box and paid the price for not clearing their lines as Herefordshire put themselves back in it at the break.
In the second half, Herefordshire increased the intensity and put severe pressure on Richie Robins in the UEL Goal.
The away side had a reshuffle of personnel as Thomas Bailey came on at right back to replace Ogboing. MacDevitt went to right wing and Stefan Nielsen was pushed up top alongside Caney-Bryan.
Within minutes UEL added a third, after a ball into Stefan Nielsen was excellently controlled and flicked into the path of Johan Caney-Bryan. He then struck his volley passed the keeper to compete his Hat-Trick and cap off an excellent performance.
Nielsen almost added a fourth, when he rattled the crossbar from outside the box but UEL held strong at the back to claim all three points to go top of the league.
UEL will now look to maintain their position at the top of the table as they host University of Kent 1sts.