2024-25 Heybridge Swifts Vs Sporting Bengal
📢 MATCH REPORT:
Heybridge Swifts 2-2 Sporting Bengal
INJURY TIME EQUALISER!
Isthmian League North Division
Saturday 28 September 2024
First Call Community Stadium
Due to Cup fixtures, Bengals last game was a couple of weeks ago so there was plenty of preparation time for this huge game.
However it was the home side that started faster, applying pressure from the outset, especially down the right flank. The Tigers defence stood strong and they eventually got a foothold into the game.
As the game settled, it was evident that both teams were evenly matched with goalscoring chances at a premium. In fact there wasn’t much goalmouth action as both sides cancelled each other out.
Approaching half time, on 42 minutes, Bengal took the lead. A clearance from Keanu Hill was chased down by Tanel and under pressure, the Swifts centre back poked the ball past the on rushing goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
Now an old football cliché is ‘you’re most vulnerable after you’ve just scored’. This was the case as Heybridge Swifts immediately got an equaliser! From the restart of play, they worked the ball down the right flank and a superb cross found the striker unmarked who headed into the back of the net. The teams went in level at the break.
The second half was a more open affair with chances being spurned at either end. It looked like it was going to end in stalemate. However, controversially with 20 minutes to go, Heybridge Swifts broke away and and scored a goal to take the lead. It appeared as though Pepple should have been awarded a free kick as he was brought down whilst countering.
Sporting Bengal didn’t dwell on this, they stepped up the pressure, searching for that equaliser. A couple of guilt edged chances were missed but commeth the hour, commeth the man. Deep into injury time, Bengal talisman, Steven Carvell, picked up the ball on the right hand side and found that bit of quality that was lacking. He delivered a superb cross that was volleyed in brilliantly by the Bengal number 9, Joe Gregory, in the 95th minute!
A huge point for Bengal in the league and up next it is Welling United of the National League South in the London Senior Cup.
