Chike Nnatunaya came on as a substitute in Saturdays 3-1 defeat

Defensive lapses prove costly as APSA slip up

Simon Jackson Friday, October 12, 2012
4:00 PM

London All People’s Sports Association failed to capitalise on an early lead and crashed to defeat at league leaders Bethnal Green on Saturday.

London APSA 1

Bethnal Green Utd 3

London All People’s Sports Association failed to capitalise on an early lead and crashed to defeat at league leaders Bethnal Green on Saturday.

The Plaistow outfit had belied their lowly league position to take the advantage through Stefan Kilron on 15 minutes after dominating the early exchanges.

But Zakir Hussain’s men were soon to pay a heavy price for a brace of defensive errors that led to them going away empty handed in a match that the APSA boss believes they should have drawn at worst.

“We were unlucky as two defensive errors cost us the game,” Hussain said. “We had many chances and scored when Stefan latched on to a through ball over the top.

“But they equalised when our keeper came out of the box and the defensive was to blame again for the next goal.

“We had the chance to equalise when Homa Ashman was brought down early in second half, only for captain Christian Beaupierre to shoot wide.

“I think a draw would have been a fair result and we gave a good account of ourselves.”

Hussain has high hopes of an improved performance when his men travel to Barkingside for Saturday’s early kick-off (1pm), despite the Oakside outfit currently riding several places higher in the Premier Division table.

“I think we are confident for the match against Barkingside at the weekend,” Hussain continued. “We have played them twice this season in cup games and have drawn twice.

“We must put chances away and not give teams the chance to score. When you are on top you must not make mistakes.

“We just need to get points on the board and I think we can go there on Saturday and get a result.”

London APSA: Mark Richards, Christaan Beaupierre, Justin Maynard, Jagbir Singh Birring, Majid Hussain, Abs Hussain (Chike Nnatunaya), Geoff Ocran, Stefan Kilron, Ben Tageo (Homa Ashman), Umair Mauthoor (Sub Richard Villota), Daniel Matthews. Sub-Not Used- Soloman Appiah.