Eastside Athletic 1-4 United Amateurs
A stoppage breaks our momentum as cup run ends at the first hurdle.
Eastside Athletic’s run in the Endeavour Cup came to an end at the first round, beaten 4-1 at home by United Amateurs — though the scoreline tells a harsher story than the performance deserved.
Travelling Squad: Lewis Kinnie (GK), Jude Mitchell, Bailey Hossack, Corey Sears, Owen Oakford, Alfie Mason (C), Matty Stacey, Danny Fenn, Mason Active, Logan Hossack, Kai O’Hare, Richard Agu, Alfie Stacey, Tobi Omotosho, Finley Morrison.
United Amateurs made the early running, capitalising on a high defensive line inside the first 15 minutes to slot past Lewis Kinnie. Eastside responded around the half-hour mark, Mason Active finishing off a beautiful pass from Danny Fenn for his first competitive goal for the club. Fenn’s involvement made it 5 goal contributions in 5 games this season — the 17-year-old continuing to prove himself the standout performer in this young squad.
Level at half-time, and with the momentum very much in Eastside’s favour, the game was disrupted around 10-15 minutes into the second half by a stoppage to deal with an issue among spectators. It went on far longer than it should have, and the break in play killed Eastside’s momentum at exactly the wrong time.
The scores stayed level until around the 70-minute mark, when Eastside conceded an unnecessary penalty, which United Amateurs converted to make it 2-1. Heads dropped from there, and United Amateurs added a spectacular third before a fourth sealed the win and ended Eastside’s cup run.
A tough one to take given how the game was going before the stoppage, but plenty to bounce back from.
Up next: Barkingside (A) — Essex Junior Trophy, 1st Round.
PRIDE OF THE EAST.