It was a difficult evening for University of East London men’s first team as they were convincingly beaten 0-3 by University of South Wales in the Aldi Men’s Premier South.
This is the second time they have been beaten by University of South Wales this season, having lost 5-3 away to them on Wednesday 12th October.
In fact, UEL’s form going into this encounter was nothing short of desperate. They had lost five out of their six games in their first season in the BUCS Premier for four years.
The East London outfit are newly promoted after being successful in the playoffs in June. They got to the playoff’s after winning the league last season.
A Hard Step-Up
UEL are one of the least favoured teams in this league having a much-changed side from the team that gained promotion in the 2021/22 season. This is because some members of the team have either left the University or no longer play for the team.
As a result, some new faces have had to make the step up into playing first team University football. Given the form of the team they haven’t been the team they were last season.
Higher Standard Then Non-League
Before the game I talked to the team’s striker DC. He is an exceptional player and was a crucial part of the team that got promoted last season. The striker spoke about the standard of university football in contrast to non-League football. He believes “It’s a better standard of football compared to non-League football because it gives players a chance to show their capability.”
It was not UEL’s day
The East London outfit lost 0-3 to University of South Wales. It was not UEL’s day from start to finish. Just 15 minutes in UEL defender Jonathan Sanchez made a crucial tackle on USW number 11 Haid who was going to be through on goal. Moments later when USW number 7 Reece was through on goal, he opened his body for a side foot finish beyond the UEL keeper’s reach to make it 0-1.
USW number 11 Haid had a shot from a set piece palmed away before the lead was doubled when a deflection fell kindly to Reece who side-footed home. In the second half Reece (USW) put the game beyond UEL’s reach when his shot with his weaker foot outside the box crept into the bottom corner.
UEL did pose problems
On the day the East London outfit did have their fair share of chances. In the first half DC’s low driven shot went wide of the post.
In the second half DC headed wide from a Dylan corner and Troy ‘s knuckleball shot outside the box went wide.
Simply Transitions
I spoke to UEL coach first team coach, Scott Bowen, on what went wrong for the team. He believes “Simply transitions (defensive transitions, the ability to react to breakdowns in play) we were not of the level that was needed. If you’re looking at the balance of play it was not a 3-0 the goals in isolation were against the run of play.”
When further alluding to the specifics of what went wrong on the day he said “it was down to quality to get us over the line defensively and offensively.”
After this 0-3 home loss, training will be key. Bowen could work on what went wrong in relation to transitions and see whether that will improve the team going forward.