🎞️ West Essex FC ⚪️♈️🔵 Sporting Bengal United FC - Essex Senior League [Sat24Jan26] HIGHLIGHTS

Описание: Match Report: West Essex v Sporting Bengal United.
In a tense relegation six-pointer at the bottom of the Essex Senior League, West Essex secured a vital 2-1 home victory over Sporting Bengal United on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Wadham Lodge Stadium. The match, played in front of a modest crowd of 103 spectators, pitted two struggling sides against each other, with West Essex entering as the 19th-placed team and Sporting Bengal in 18th.
This result provided a much-needed boost for the hosts in their fight against the drop, while condemning the visitors to further peril. West Essex's win moved them to 17 points from 25 games, still in 19th but closing the gap on teams above. Sporting Bengal remained on 18 points from 22 games, staying in 18th underscoring the tight relegation scrap.
Historically, West Essex held the edge in head-to-head encounters, having won three of the last five meetings.
The opening 45 minutes were largely uneventful, with neither side able to break the deadlock. West Essex controlled possession early but struggled to create clear chances against a resolute Sporting Bengal defence. The visitors, in turn, looked threatening on the counter but lacked precision in the final third. No goals were scored, and the half ended 0-0, reflecting the nerves of a relegation battle. The only notable incident was a 53rd-minute yellow card to Sporting Bengal's Leonardo Pedro for a foul, though this occurred early in the second half.
Substitutions began post-interval, with West Essex introducing Kieran James for Hassan Nalbant in the 61st minute. Second Half drama unfolded as the game burst into life after the hour mark. Sporting Bengal took the lead in the 70th minute when Leonardo Pedro capitalized on a defensive lapse to slot home, making it 0-1 and stunning the home crowd.
West Essex responded swiftly, bringing on Ethan Earnshaw in the 71st minute. Just one minute later, Earnshaw equalized in the 72nd with a curling shot into the top corner of the net, restoring parity at 1-1 and reigniting the hosts' hopes of much needed points.
Both managers rang the changes as the match entered its final stages. Sporting Bengal substituted Evander Lopes for Samir Hussain (64'), Elton Gjonbala for goalscorer Pedro (74'), and later Nicholas David Ejakita and Opeoluwa Mosuro (both 78'). West Essex countered with Jaedon Phillips for Nidal Berri (64'), Khadean Campbell for Reece Simpson (80'), and Alfie Gilbey for captain Harry Norman (81').
The decisive moment came in the 90th minute when West Essex were awarded a penalty after a tackle in the box was judged to be a foul. Substitute Jaedon Phillips stepped up and converted coolly, securing a dramatic 2-1 win and sending the home fans into raptures.
This West Essex comeback victory could prove pivotal for West Essex, who now sit within touching distance of safety. Their resilience in the second half, particularly the impact of substitutes Earnshaw and Phillips, was key. Sporting Bengal, meanwhile, will rue missed opportunities after taking the lead, dropping crucial points in their survival bid. The frantic final 20 minutes, including Pedro's opener, Earnshaw's rapid reply, and Phillips' late spot-kick were the game changing moments in the game. In a league where the bottom five are separated by just 10 points, every result counts—West Essex's grit may have earned them a lifeline.

🎞️ West Essex FC ⚪️♈️🔵 Sporting Bengal United FC - Essex Senior League [Sat24Jan26] HIGHLIGHTS