Kieran Baldwin reviews the opening fixtures for the UEL Men’s Football sides…
St Marys 2-1 UEL Mens 1st
The University of East London Men’s 1sts started their new campaign with a disappointing 2-1 away defeat to University of St Marys 1sts. It was UEL’s first game in the top British University and Colleges Sports league in the southern area, following their title win from last season. The game hinged on a controversial penalty awarded to St Mary’s.
UEL found themselves behind at the break despite dominating much of the play through their impressive passing style. A counter attack down the right wing resulted in a cross which the St Marys’ striker could not fail to convert, with a header from six yards out.
In the second half, UEL came out strong and created several chances to equalise. Both Liam Macdevitt and Malik Ouani threatened with their pace down the flanks and had both shots well saved, before Macdevitt again missed a great chance inside the six-yard box.
The introduction of Stefan Nielsen gave hope that UEL could finally grab a deserved equaliser. A diagonal ball over the top of the St Mary’s defence from Siao Levi-Blackwood found Nielsen whose first touch was brilliant and he slotted in through the keeper’s legs, for the leveller.
UEL looked as though they would go on to win the game but they were cruelly denied following a controversial penalty decision given to St Mary’s.
The UEL keeper Ritchie Robins was penalised for clearing his lines with a fair punch inside the box, as St Marys took full advantage from the spot to take all three points.
Middlesex 1st 1-1 UEL 2nd
UEL Men’s 2nds suffered a dramatic last minute equaliser, as they settled for a 1-1 draw away to University of Middlesex 1sts.
The game was heading for a stalemate into the final 20 minutes, until a long throw by Dylan Feehily picked out Stephen McGinn to find the back of the net.
Middlesex pushed for an equaliser and as a result UEL dropped deeper into their own half. Middlesex enjoyed a succession of corners, but UEL’s defence stayed resolute to deny the home side a leveller.
However, the pressure eventually told, as in the final few minutes a ball was slotted through the middle of the UEL defence and a communication error gave the Middlesex striker a tap into an empty net, and UEL had to settle for a point.
UEL 3rd 3-0 London Metropolitan University 2nds
UEL 3rds won their first league game of the season with a comfortable 3-0 victory against London Metropolitan 2nds, despite a host of chances squandered by the home side.
A first half goal by Moses Kaddu added to two second half goals from John Silva and Conor Denham to give UEL the three points.
New side UEL 4ths were without a fixture this week with their season starting in the coming weeks.