Late drama sees Buckhurst Hill claim morale-boosting win to spoil Newham’s day

The weekend’s match saw a first visit to Parsloes Park 3G as Athletic Newham welcomed Buckhurst Hill for another Essex Senior League Premier Division match. This was Newham’s first match in Dagenham after several years at Terry Mac in Beckton. It is a nice venue and could be an important one for the local community. The match did not disappoint even from the early stages as the tempo was building nicely. Hill had an early block as full-back Buchanan had to be replaced by Carolan after just nine minutes. Newham lead goal-scorer Jaime Nvumba was denied an early chance as the Kings sought to continue their free-flowing passing moves. However, Buckhurst had a glimmer at goal on ten minutes from thirty yards but Hammond could not catch home stopper Lindrit Beqiri out as he was off his goal-line as his strike fizzed wide. Newham responded immediately as full-back Louis Hiobi’s effort needed a decent save by visiting custodian Muhammed Otuyo. Mark Williams’s side did have a slice of fortune as Otuyo was caught advancing as he headed clear outside his area but Newham regained possession but Carvalho Pedro’s strike thundered off the woodwork.

You sensed that a goal was coming and it did just short of the half-hour. Referee Lee Jarvis detected a handball in the penalty box by a Newham player & awarded Hill the penalty. George Thompson duly stepped up and fired home past Beqiri to give Buckhurst a surprise lead. Thompson had another good chance several minutes later but it was Newham who deservedly levelled on 37 minutes. Jaime Nvumba did well to get some space to lob Otuyo well and found the net. Technical forward Alex Kozak drew another decent save out of Otuyo before the equaliser as Diogo Nobre’s side were building the pressure.

HT: Newham 1 - 1 Buckhurst Hill

It was a keenly-awaited second half in this entertaining match and Buckhurst again took the lead nine minutes after the resumption. Thompson again showed good awareness by receiving a good pass by Robertson and blasting the ball home from close range to put the pressure back on the home team. Just past the hour, Newham pushed forward again as another good pass by Kozak found Nvumba but Otuyo did well to deny him with his strike via his foot. The Kings pushed forward for the remainder of the game really with Nvumba spurning several chances. Buckhurst had to deal with wave after wave of forward moves and they had defended admirably though it was no real surprise when Newham levelled on 79 minutes. A free-kick was conceded right inside ‘the D’ just outside the eighteen-yard line and Alex Kozak struck it very well and found the top right corner.

That gave the hosts the impetus they needed as they continued to search for the winning goal. Four minutes before the ninety minutes elapsed, Nvumba turned provider as his fine cross from the left side of penalty area found substitute Ferrini but he could only head wide when well-placed at the far post. As we got deep into added-time and Hill tried to slow the game down, just when we thought the draw was coming, Buckhurst pushed forward and Okuguni found the run of substitute Suleyman Zuhdu and his low, composed finish found the right corner past Beqiri and started wild celebrations from the chuffed visiting side. Given the situation, it was a fine strike but Newham were understandably disappointed.

Full-Time: Athletic Newham 2 – 3 Buckhurst Hill

To summarise this game is difficult, given we had a smorgasbord of chances, mostly for Newham but Hill had a few as well and the attack-minded mindset of both teams made for a high-tempo, entertaining watch. Newham created a lot, particularly in the second half as Buckhurst’s defence admirably stuck to their task. That hard work & a little fortune enabled them to profit late on as the returning Zuhdu was the hero deep in added-time.

For the victors Buckhurst Hill, forward George Thompson worked hard and ran down the channels to good effect. He scored two decent goals & had a few other chances as well. Congratulations to him, as well as central midfielder Oliseh Okuguni who put in a good shift and made several important forward passes as Hill did okay on the counter-attack. Centre-back Alfie Harris typified the defence which had to deal with a lot of pressure from Newham and made several good interceptions. Lastly, a mention for early substitute Jude Carolan who really got into the game and dealt with the threat of Newham’s fast-flowing attacking moves well and showed good energy levels.

For Newham, full-back Louis Hiobi put in a good performance in defence and contributing well going forward as well with several good passes to create oppurtunities. Hiobi, a club stalwart showed why he is an important player for the Kings. Winger Alex Kozak scored a fine goal and also showed good movement and pace to make it difficult for Buckhurst. Centre forward Jaime Nvumba had a good game also, took his goal well and got into good positions to have chances on goal. Finally, Leonardo Carvalho Pedro did a good job for his team in midfield as well as his defensive duties, making two important clearances.
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Teams

Athletic Newham | Manager: Diogo Nobre | Assistant: Ricardo Freitas

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Lindrit Beqiri (GK), 2 Derek O’Halem (16 Julian Ramirez 56’), 3 Louis Hiobi, 6 Abubakar Mohammed (9 Tychique Kinkela 71’), 4 Daniel Udanoh, 8 George Rankin, 15 Charlie Campbell (20 James Runham 46’), 10 Anderson Baro (Capt) ( 19 Victor Ferrini 60’ ), 7 Leonardo Carvalho Pedro, 14 Jaime Nvumba, 11 Alex Kozak

Goal-scorers: Jaime Nvumba [37’], Alex Kozak [79’]

Booked: Campbell, Hiobi, Udanoh, Carvalho Pedro, Rankin | Subs Not Used: Dame

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Buckhurst Hill | Manager: Mark Williams | Assistant: Adam Connolly

Starting XI (Subs): 1 Muhammed Otuyo (GK), 2 Shaquel Foyewa, 3 Edward Buchanan (18 Jude Carolan 9’), 5 Jonathan Ogunsanya, 6 Alfie Harris, 4 Oliseh Okuguni, 8 Oliver Williams (Capt) (19 Jimi Feeley 76’) , 7 Joe Re, 9 George Thompson, 10 Archie Hammond (17 Suleyman Zuhdu 60’), 11 Tyreece Robertson (14 Harry Markatis 76’)
Subs: 15 Lucas Willison, 17 Suleyman Zuhdu, 18 Jude Carolan, 19 Jimi Feeley

Goal-scorers: George Thompson [pen 28’ & 54’], Suleyman Zuhdu [90’ +6]

Booked: Otuyo | Subs Not Used: Willison
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Referee: Lee Jarvis
Assistants: Anthony Abbs & Charlie Fox