A brace from Michael Ogbion and a goal from Sam Cassell was enough to give UEL the three points and potentially kick-start their campaign.
UEL started the match much the better side and had a good early opportunity through lone striker Ogbion, as he shot over from inside the box.
UEL’s intent was shown right from the start with a high intensity press and several hard challenges in a physical battle.
Pace and Power
UEL were rewarded for their good start when they scored the game’s first goal midway through the half. Ogbion was played through and rounded a defender with his pace and power before calmly chipping the ball over the keeper to give UEL the lead.
South Wales’s main attacking threat in the first half came from set pieces, with long throw-ins causing problems for the UEL defence. This was a theme of their opponents’ play during the first half and the main way they managed to cause UEL problems.
UEL then paid the price for their errors during set pieces when they conceded 10 minutes before half time. A long throw came in to the box and a South Wales defender peeled off at the back post and slotted the ball into the net, a disappointing ourtcome for UEL as there were opportunities to clear.
The half-time whistle came at a good time for UEL who struggled to get back into the game after conceding. The break gave coach Yassin Abidou the chance to organise his defence in preparation for more set pieces after the interval.
Smashed home
The second half began in the same maner the first finished with South Wales on top. The visitors created numerous chances, again from set pieces which caused chaos amongst the UEL defence. They visitors took the lead in the 55th minute when a free kick was whipped in from the left and smashed home by a South Wales midfielder.
This began a spell for the visitors in which UEL struggled to test the South Wales keeper but the home team kept plugging away at their opponent, defending with resilience.
They were then rewarded for their hard defensive efforts when Ogbion scored his second of the game after a corner was whipped in by winger Ade Joshua.
The momentum of the match had swung once again and now it was UEL’s chances to grab the winner. They managed this just three minutes later. UEL were in front for the second time in the game as Joshua Adjei played in Liam MacDevitt. The full back then tricked his way past a couple of defenders, and teed up Cassell who bundled the ball over the line.
This proved to be the winner for UEL after a run of three games without picking up a point in their league campaign. After the game Abidou expressed his delight at the strength of character after they came back from 2-1 down with just 15 minutes to go.
He said: “Considering we were 2-1 down in the second half I think the boys showed incredible character to score two and win 3-2.
“I feel we deserved it, however in football as we have learned in other games it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to get what you deserve.”
The victory sees UEL get their first win of the season and a much-needed three points on the table, against a South Wales team who were unbeaten since January. The Londonders now prepare for their next game against Chichester at home in a week’s time in bouyant mood.
