Akeple goal is key (From Thurrock Gazette)

Essex Senior League latest

4:59pm Friday 11th January 2013 in Sport

ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE: BASILDON United’s Greg Akeple scored an injury-time goal to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at home to Hullbridge Sports on Wednesday night.

The Bees had trailed 2-0 at the break but brought it back to 2-2 in the second half before Akeple went on a run at the death and fired a shot which crept inside keeper Lawrence Priddle’s post to complete a remarkable comeback in front of a 126-strong crowd at the newly-branded Cohart Stadium. It was Akpele’s sixth goal of the season and made him the club’s joint top scorer with Jamie Williams.

Both sides had good chances in the first half on what was an extremely difficult pitch to play on, but two clinical strikes from Tom Peck put Hullbridge in the ascendency at the break.

After a few half chances for either side in the second half, a dramatic final 20 minutes began with a header from a Basildon free kick brilliantly pushed onto the bar by keeper Priddle, only for the rebound to be tapped in by Joe McEvoy to give the Bees hope. Hullbridge had chances to put the game to bed but Basildon’s Bertie Brayley lobbed Priddle from 25 yards to level on 90 minutes before Akeple scored the late winner. The result moved Basildon above Southend Manor, and into 11th in the table, while Hullbridge stayed in 16th.

The Bees will look to make it back-to-back league wins when they go to Takeley tomorrow, while Sports are away to Eton Manor.

Bowers & Pitsea – whose midweek league cup quarter final game with Eton Manor was called off – have a trip to Haringey & Waltham Development tomorrow.

Great Wakering Rovers will be looking for a bit of revenge when they host Enfield 1893 at Burroughs Park.

The north Londoners have won both games between the two sides this season – a 3-0 success at Burroughs Park in the Gordon Brasted Trophy, and a 1-0 league win in the reverse fixture in the league.

Southend Manor will be hoping to play their first game since a draw at home to Bowers on December 18, when they go to Barkingside tomorrow.