Local duo progress with home wins
Essex Senior League rivals Barking and Sporting Bengal United progressed to the second round of the FA Vase with impressive home wins on Saturday, but Ilford bowed out after conceding a late goal at Cricklefield.
Barking welcomed Tring Athletic to Mayesbrook Park and took a 13th-minute lead through Kieran English. Wale Odedoyin doubled the advantage on 28 minutes, with Ben Turner claiming his 47th goal for the club, from the penalty spot, midway through the second half.
Odedoyin netted his second goal of the tie and eighth of the season six minutes from time, before Luke Dunston grabbed a late consolation for the Spartan South Midlands League visitors.
Barking are back in cup action on Tuesday when they visit Redbridge for a London Senior Cup tie.
Sporting Bengal are also in the hat for the draw for the next round after a superb 6-2 win over Southall at Mile End Stadium.
Tunde Adewunmi’s hat-trick led the way for Anwar Uddin’s side, with Abdisamad Mohamed adding a brace.
Yacine Teladjati completed the rout for Sporting, who visit Southend Manor in the Gordon Brasted Trophy on Tuesday.
There was disappointment for Allan Fenn’s Ilford as they slipped to a 1-0 home loss against AFC Kempton Rovers.
The Foxes had set up the tie with an impressive 3-2 win at Woodbridge in the previous round and boasted a six-match unbeaten run heading into the action.
But they succumbed to an 81st-minute winner from Shane Bush and will look to bounce back when they welcome leaders Sawbridgeworth next weekend.
In-form London Bari held the table-toppers to a 1-1 draw at Crofters End, while landlords Clapton picked up a point from a 2-2 draw with Eton Manor.
Bari fell behind when Charlie Cole netted from the spot, but they hit back before the break through Peter Wilcox.
Neither side could find a winner in the second half, although a point was enough for the hosts to take over at the summit as Bari extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven matches.
Clapton are unbeaten in 11 league matches and sit in sixth place after a late equaliser from Khadean Campbell.
Kevin Bondjanga put Eton Manor ahead in the first half, but Eamon Payne levelled from the penalty spot on 58 minutes.
Clapton’s joy was shortlived as Dean Florence restored Manor’s lead on the hour, but Campbell popped up five minutes from time to earn Tons a point.
Newham and Tower Hamlets both had a free weekend.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here