United Amateurs 1-1 Eastside Athletic

Eastside Athletic kept their unbeaten away record intact with a 1-1 draw at Hainault Recreation Ground, in a completely different outing from October’s Endeavour Cup defeat to the same opponents.

Matchday squad: Lewis Kinnie (GK), Tobi Omotosho, Bailey Hossack, Corey Sears (C), Bobby Goodall, Daniel Kayode, Francis Hastings, Jay Tear, Danny Fenn, Jack Hobbs, Owen Oakford, Bruno Da Fonseca, Mason Talbot, Alfie Stacey, Mason Active, Prince Bansende.

After last week’s home defeat to Rainham, the Eastenders changed their tactics, and for most of the afternoon it paid off. New signing Jay Tear made his competitive debut, and Corey Sears led the side as captain.

It was all Eastside in the first half. United Amateurs still carried a threat on the break, and they came closest to scoring when they rattled the crossbar, but the visitors were firmly in control.

Around the half-hour mark, Eastside got the goal their pressure deserved. Mason Active stepped up to a free kick and drove it low and hard into the bottom left corner. The keeper will feel he could have done better, but Mason won’t mind. It was his second competitive goal for the club, and his second against United Amateurs. 0-1.

Defensively, Eastside were outstanding, and they went in at the break fully deserving of their lead.

The second half started the same way, with Eastside on top. But towards the hour mark the effort of the first half began to tell, and the Eastenders were clearly running out of steam. Silly fouls crept in, Tobi Omotosho almost turned the ball into his own net in bizarre fashion, and chances to kill the game off went begging.

Eventually, United Amateurs made it count. A move came in from the right and into the box, and the home side found the equaliser. 1-1.

That’s how it finished. There’s frustration at two points dropped from a winning position, but plenty to build on: a new approach that worked, a defence that was outstanding for long spells, and a fourth competitive game unbeaten on the road (3 wins, 1 draw).

Man of the Match: Bobby Goodall, his first award of the season.

Where we stand

The point keeps Eastside 2nd in Division Five on 10 points from 7 games (3 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses). Leaders Lonsdale were held 2-2 at Valence United Reserves, so the gap at the top stays at six points. Young Royals (9 points from 5 games) and Ace Athletics (9 points from 5 games) are close behind with games in hand, after Young Royals beat Highams Park 7-4 and Ace Athletics won 1-2 at Rainham.

Up next: Lonsdale (A) in Division Five, Sunday 8 November, 10:30 at Douglas Eyre Sports Centre, Walthamstow. It’s first against second. Lonsdale won 3-1 at Redbridge in September, but Eastside have already won at Douglas Eyre this season, beating Young Royals there. A win would cut the gap at the top to three points.

PRIDE OF THE EAST.