Young Royals 1-2 Eastside Athletic

Eastside Athletic made it three wins from three away from home in competitive football, edging a hard-fought battle with Young Royals 2-1 in Walthamstow thanks to yet another late winner from Jack Hobbs.

Travelling squad: Francis Hastings (GK), Alfie Stacey, Finley Morrison, Prince Bansende, Bobby Goodall, Owen Oakford, Logan Hossack, Alfie Mason (C), Bruno Da Fonseca, Kai O’Hare, Tom Hamson, Jack Hobbs, Mason Talbot, Prince Daniels, Daniel Kayode.

Both sides came into the game level on 6 points. Young Royals sat 2nd in Division Five with the best goal difference in the league, having won their last two (4-2 against Valence United Reserves in the Endeavour Cup and 2-0 away at United Amateurs), and they had handed league leaders Lonsdale their only defeat of the season, 9-2. Eastside sat 4th, unbeaten on the road in competitive games after wins at Highams Park and Barkingside, and arrived off the back of last week’s Essex Sunday Junior Trophy win. Tom Hamson and Daniel Kayode were both in line for their competitive debuts.

Young Royals started the game with real authority, letting off at least four shots at goal before Eastside could even settle. It was all Young Royals for around 90% of the first half, and they showed exactly why they sat so high in the table: comfortably the best side the Eastenders have faced so far for fitness and technical ability.

Then, completely against the run of play, Eastside struck on the stroke of half-time. A free kick not too far out from the Young Royals box, and up stepped Kai O’Hare to slot it home. 0-1.

Just before the half-time whistle, the Young Royals goalkeeper collided with one of his own defenders while trying to stop Eastside grabbing a second, and came off worse for wear. Everyone at Eastside wishes him a speedy recovery from what looked to be a broken nose.

Eastside went in at the break 0-1 up.

With the wind also against them in the second half, Eastside faced a Young Royals side that came out flying, and it didn’t take long for them to equalise: a ball over the top of the defence and a calm, composed finish past Francis Hastings. 1-1.

It was game on from there, with both sides putting up a fight right until the very end. Francis Hastings was forced into some excellent saves at one end, and the Young Royals stand-in goalkeeper did the same at the other.

Until, in the dying minutes, cometh the hour, cometh the man. Prince Bansende found Jack Hobbs, and, just as he did at Highams Park, he scored a last-minute winner. 1-2 to Eastside.

The Eastenders then held out through what ended up being an excessive amount of added time to take all three points.

The win lifts Eastside up to 2nd in Division Five on 9 points from 5 games (3 wins, 2 losses), behind only leaders Lonsdale, who have played a game more. Young Royals drop to 4th. Kai O’Hare’s free kick also takes him to three competitive goals for the season, level with Danny Fenn as the club’s joint top scorer.

Man of the Match: Alfie Stacey

Up next: Rainham Working Mens Club Res (H) in Division Five.

PRIDE OF THE EAST.