JEFFREY WEIGHS IN FOR THE TON

Cobblah piles late pain on Tower Hamlets

CLAPTON made a winning start to the season, but they left it oh so late to finally see off Tower Hamlets at the Spotted Dog.

Amir Falah of Clapton nor Dominic Weston for Hamlets troubled the opposing goalkeeper when they had shots on target in the first half hour. Jeffrey Cobblah forced Jordan Stansbury into a full-stretch save just before half-time. At the other end, Weston beat Joe Phillips with a powerful drive, but the ball cannoned off the post. Weston wasted another good chance early in the second half, dithering when in a good position. Ton’s Andy Greenslade then fired wide and his side wasted another great chance with 13 minutes to go, but three good scoring chances weren’t taken in one goalmouth scramble. Jay Morris was denied by Stansbury late on, but the goalkeeper could do nothing three minutes into stoppage time when Cobblah scored the winner from six yards. The league started on Friday, with Woodford Town far too strong for Leyton Athletic at Harlow. Ola Ogumwamide scored a double and there were also goals for Chinua Phinn-Archer and Ethan Kessell. Dwade James scored a consolation goal in stoppage time. Takeley are the early leaders as they won 5-1 at newcomers Stanway Rovers. Leading the way was Stuart Zanone, who scored a hat-trick. Mitchell Das and Bryn Thorpe got the others, while Romario Dunn got Stanway’s goal. Stansted were convincing 3-0 winners at Ilford as Carl Mullins got a double and Sam Wes hit the other. Alfie Lindfield and Charlie Burns scored in the last 18 minutes as Southend Manor opened with a 2-0 win over Enfield 1893. Sawbridgeworth won 32 at West Essex’s Maysbrook Park, John Knight scoring their first and Lewis Roberts getting the other two; Greg Frederick and Tom MacLeod netting for the home team. The other games ended in draws, Walthamstow and Hoddesden sharing four goals, Redbridge and Saffron Waldron drawing 1-1, while Hullbridge Sports and Barkingside drew 0-0.