Kieran Baldwin reports on a dreary afternoon for the UEL 3rds men’s football team as they travelled to Essex.
The University of East London 3rds suffered back to back defeats after a disappointing 4-2 away loss to the University of Essex 4ths.
John Silva and Ellis Brittain were the scorers for UEL but it was not enough to travel back to East London with any points.
On a drizzly day in Essex, the home side were quick out of the blocks and UEL were under pressure. With just 15 minutes played, UEL went behind when a short backpass allowed the Essex striker to go round the keeper and slot the ball into the net.
UEL were yet to find their passing rhythm, but the goal sparked life into the visitors and after an intricate passing move, Moses’ Kaddus slotted in Silva on the turn and he tucked the ball past the onrushing keeper to equalise.
Forced
Despite UEL’s leveller Essex still looked dangerous and came close on several occasions, before Conor Denham hit the crossbar with a fantastic curling effort after a neat lay off by Kaddu, denying UEL the lead.
At the break, UEL were forced to make a change due to an injury which left them without any other substitutes.
In the second half, UEL came out the brighter of the two sides as, Silva attempted an audacious lob after the Essex keeper made an error but he got back just in time.
UEL squandered yet another opportunity shortly after, as a cross from the left by Silva caused all sorts of problems at the back post. Dayron Suaze brought the ball down but his shot hit the post.
Essex made UEL pay for missed opportunities and regained the lead 65 minutes in. A curling shot from the Essex midfielder struck the inside of the post and the striker was there to convert the rebound from close range – despite a possible offside appeal from UEL.
UEL could have been level within minutes when a deep ball found Kaddu at the back post but his shot from the angle was superbly tipped around the post to maintain Essex’s lead.
The hosts’ extended their advantage, from a corner which was not dealt with and the Essex midfielder found space at the back post, and his deflected shot went into the net.
Gift
UEL were again their own worst enemy, as they gifted Essex a fourth goal. It was almost a replica of the first as another short back pass put the Essex striker in and went round the keeper to put the game out of UEL’s reach.
With a three goal deficit, UEL finally showed some desire and began to play football again. A sloppy back pass from Essex gave UEL an opportunity from a set piece.
The resulting free kick was struck powerfully by Brittain and found the back of the net to give UEL a consolation despite the disappointing result.
UEL’s Kane Taylor said: “Costly errors have cost us again today, it’s a fairly new team and in time we will prevent these.”