TT No.22: Stephen Harris - Sunday 20 August 2007; FA Cup EP Round; Sporting Bengal Utd v London APSA. Result: 0-0; Att: c.350; Admission: £5; Programme issued; FGIF Match rating: 3*

View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 When the draw for the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup was made, the outstanding tie in my part of the world pitted two clubs based in the east London Asian community against each other for the first time since they both stepped up to senior football five years ago.  The decision to play the game on the Sunday drew a very respectable crowd of around 350 to the Mile End Stadium, despite the absence of the game from most fixture listings.  Sporting Bengal are the team of the Bangladesh Football Association and run teams in various age groups based around Shadwell and Stepney.  It is noticeable though that the players themselves come from a wide range of backgrounds and it can truly be said that both these two clubs are representative of the areas in which they are based.  In the crowd, it was interesting to see the colours of such unfamiliar sides as Bethnal Green United, Stepney FC and London Tigers instead of the usual Chelsea and Arsenal shirts. This athletics stadium does not make for ideal football spectating as the only stand is set well back from the action and other vantage points are rather low.  The site is run by Tower Hamlets Council who do a decent job with the sports facilities but neglect the stand, which is always filthy.  Yesterday was no exception and there was much tutting and wiping of seats before spectators settled down for the game.  A few people wandered around to the far side, where there is a new indoor sports hall, but almost all wandered back again shortly afterwards when they realsied just how poor are the sightlines from anywhere other than the stand. APSA took the initiative from the start and dominated the first half, rattling the woodwork three times but failing to score in an entertaining opening.  But as the game wore on it seemed less and less likely that anyone would actually score a goal.  Both sides created numerous wasted chances, but even extra time could not separate the teams who go to Newham for a replay on Thursday evening. Highlight of the day was probably the barbeque, preparing spicy kebab rolls and onion bhajis at sensible prices. A considerable improvement on the dreadful burgers and sausage rolls you are usually asked to endure at football games in the London area.  An adequate match programme was issued for £1 and entry came with a nice match-specific ticket.

contributed on 20/08/07