Two teams whose results are impossible to predict with records of P18 W6 D1 L11 and P20 W7 D2 L11 faced each other in the Essex Senior League on Monday evening as Enfield 1893 FC entertained Sporting Bengal United in what turned out to be a very eventful game. You wouldn't of thought it at half time with the game without a goal and not many goal scoring chances created.
Sporting Bengal took the lead on 53 minutes through David Vaughan who was able to get his body to the ball to put it into the net after the 1893 keeper parried a shot from the right hand side into his path. Shortly after on 56 minutes Vaughan scored a hotly debated second goal which he appeared to be in an offside position or was he?
A frustrated Enfield manager Matt Hanning questioned the fact with the assistant referee who had a conversation with the referee who gave the goal. Hanning was then sent to the stands - It was pretty harsh on him in my opinion as I never heard any bad language or dissent just him asking why the goal was given.
The home side then had the ball in the back of the net when they quickly took a free kick after a foul was given only for the referee to call the game back for the free kick to be taken again. Unsurprisingly this infuriated the home side who were really working hard to get back into the game.
They never gave up though and the introduction of Jayden Hocking-Rising helped inject a bit of pace up front and they finally got the goal they deserved on 75 minutes when Luke Thomas scored who had looked impressive on the right hand side of midfield throughout the game.
The debatable decisions continued when on 86 minutes 1893 were awarded a penalty kick which John Bricknell scored to make it 2-2. I'll let you watch the replay to make your own mind up about if it should of been given?
The referee waved away protests for a second penalty kick for Enfield when a Sporting player handled the ball in the box which was another decision much debated by the players, management and 63 fans in attendance. Was it accidental 'ball to hand' or 'hand to ball'?
The final score was probably just about right on the balance of play. Sporting Bengal host Hackney Wick on Saturday with Enfield 1893 travelling to Hullbridge Sports in an eagerly anticipated FA Vase game.
This match summed up what an extremely difficult job the officials have and at non-league level many do it just for the love of the game with little financial reward. They don't have the luxury of slow motion replays and frequently have to make difficult decisions in the blink of an eye. The Cold End reminds readers that without them there will be no game. Please show them respect them and enjoy your football.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
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