Thirds Aiming For First

Uways Nisar finds the men's UEL side in confident mood as the season resumes.

UEL 3rd XI face Bottom side University Arts London away in a crucial match which could go a long way to confirming the East Londoners’ title credentials, with just five games to go.

The league season resumes after a break of more than a month, with UEL looking to exact revenge after a 3-2 loss on the opening game of the season.

Ahead of the game, the 3rd XI have a fully fit squad with no injuries to worry about, a key bonus in their race for promotion.

Form

The visitors will want to be wary of any complacency within the camp, with just six points separating bottom club UAL from top-of-the-table Brunel. However, midfielder Conor Denham, told Rising East the team was brimming with confidence.

He said: “The lads are very confident about our first game [back] being against an Arts team that we really should have beaten in our previous game.

“It’s a good incentive to go out and play, score a couple of goals and get up for the next game when we play a slightly better team.”

The 3rds are in red-hot form with just two losses in their last eight game in all competitions, a run that has seen the team score 14 goals.

However the side will also look to shore up their defence after shipping 19 goals since their last clean sheet, recorded way back in their third game of the season, away to West London 2nd XI.

Denham believes fitness issues have hindered the team’s defence this season.

He said: “We know what we need to do, it’s when we lose players, to other teams or injury, that’s when we have issues at the back.

“If everyone is fit and ready we are a very solid team. The lads have also come a long way individually after each game also so we are very happy.”

Title chances

Denham talks up his teams’ chance of a title, given that the so-called ‘best team in the league’, Tottenham Hotspur Foundation 1st XI, are struggling. He believes that their poor form means he can end his UEL career on a high note:

“The table is very close and for me personally [while] Tottenham Hotspur are the best in the league, they have really struggled.

“Because of this I fancy our chances, as it’s mine and Kieran [Baldwin’s] last year we want to be in a title race.”

Away Day Blues?

UEL 3rd XI have enjoyed a brilliant campaign on the road this season and will be confident of victory against University Arts London.

The Dockland’s-based side have won three of their four away games this season and will be looking to extend that fine form.

UEL will play three of their remaining five games away from home, with Denham, more than confident it will help rather than hinder the side’s promotion chances, due to a strong ‘team chemistry’

He said: “One of our best attributes as a team is our chemistry and team morale, which has been lacking in some teams over the last couple of years at UEL.

“We work hard for each other and expect each other to play to a good standard and put their work in. This it’s what’s going to drive us forward.”

Victory for UEL will see them move on to 10 points with key games against promotion rivals Tottenham, Canterbury Christ Church, Queen Mary’s and Brunel still to come.

 

 

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