UEL delivered one of their performances of the season to see off title rivals City University in a 14 goal thriller at SportsDock on Sunday.
The hard-fought win puts the East Londoners level on points with Queen Mary and City, with a game in hand on the latter.
Their win against Queen Mary last month also puts them above the Bethnal Green-based side on their head-to-head record, with the return fixture being played on the final day of the season.
‘We knew it was going to be a battle’
The win may prove to be a vital one, as it makes UEL favourites for the title with just three games left to play. With City being the only side to take points from UEL this season, the home side anticipated another tough affair.
“Going into the game knowing what was at stake, we knew it was going to be a battle,” claimed UEL’s, Amine Mimoune. “We really showed our resilience today, after many situations where we could have broken down.”
UEL were without coach Trevor Tamatave which gave team captain, James Rene the opportunity to step up and lead the team from the sidelines, having previously suffered an injury.
The occasion lived up to its expectations with both sides giving as good as they got, creating a tense, yet high quality affair.
UEL Strike First
It was the home side who opened the scoring through their powerful forward Yacine Rabia, but they were soon pegged back by the visiting side.
UEL regained the lead two minutes later when Harman Sandhu combined with Rabia before lashing his effort in off the post.
City then leveled the scoring after catching the hosts out with a quick kick-in, a chance that came after a string of saves from UEL’s ‘keeper had kept them in the lead.
The two sides looked to be locked in a stalemate for the remainder of the half, but Rabia put the home side ahead once more in the dying seconds of the half as he delicately flicked Dan Grimes’ long throw past the City goalkeeper.
Counter-attacking futsal
Despite carrying a slender lead into the second half, UEL were by no means home and dry. The Blues were failing to build on their lead, and City were looking to counter this by leaving two up top for quick breakaways.
It was through this method that they had the most success as they brought the tie back to 3-3, and then 4-4 shortly after Bruno Cesar scored for the Blues.
Both sides continued to threaten, but neither were able to seize control of the game. Rabia popped up at the back post once more to net his third of the game, but once again failed to put the game to bed.
City’s direct approach caught UEL out twice as they were pushing on to put the game to bed, and suddenly the tie swung in the away team’s favour for the first time in the match.
Grandstand Finish
With five minutes left UEL were in danger of throwing the delivering the title into City’s hands, having taken the lead so frequently throughout the game.
However, Sandhu stepped up in the final stages of the game, driving forward frequently and subsequently firing a shot home to level the tie once more.
Now intent on restoring their lead, UEL pushed forward as City looked to protect their point. City were defending gallantly, but their resolve was broken when Cesar’s show found its way past City’s ‘keeper through a crowded box with just three minutes left.
Rabia managed to add another goal after turning his man to complete the day’s scoring and boost UEL’s title chances.
UEL now take on Essex’s first and second team, before their final-day-clash with Queen Mary, whose next game comes away to City on the 17th of March.
Man of the Match – Bruno Cesar: The winger attacked with purpose and helped to ensure that his side kept the ball well under pressure. Added to his mature performance with a couple of vital goals.
