Greens desperate for a Sports clash!

Bethnal Green United

BETHNAL GREEN UNITED saw their match with Takeley postponed at the weekend after the tragic death of their opposition club's secretary, writes MATT DINER.

United have now not played since December 12 and although many other teams are in the same position, manager Justin Gardner is still disappointed by his teams lack of action.

"It is frustrating not to play for so long, but I can understand why they asked to have the game called off," the Greens boss said.

"We trained last Thursday and then on Saturday on astro turf and it went great, which makes it even more annoying that we can't get a game.

"I'm impressed from what I saw fitness-wise and I'd say there were only one or two off the pace. That said, you cannot replace match fitness with anything.

"We won't know until we play, but if the game is a high tempo one, I can see us struggling after say 70 minutes, but whoever we play would be in the same boat, so that is not a big worry."

The Greens are hopeful of playing this Saturday when they face Mauritius Sports in an east London derby at Mile End Stadium.

Bethnal Green hammered the Walthamstow outfit 6-0 earlier in the season, but after managerial and personnel changes, Gardner is expecting a closer game against the league's bottom side.

"They were diabolical last time we played them," he added.

"But they have improved greatly and, although we are confident, it will be a tough game.

Right back Joel Gallimore picked up an injury in training and is out for three weeks, while United could lose their goalkeeper to a Football League club.

"Ashley King is on trial at Barnet for three weeks," Gardner said.

"We wish him all the best and it would be a great opportunity for him."

Bethnal Green won the Senior football team of the Year at the Canary Wharf Group awards ceremony last week.