Essex Senior League: Clapton 2 Wadham Lodge 0

Newham Recorder: Roddy Lemba of Clapton (pic: George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO)Roddy Lemba of Clapton (pic: George Phillipou/TGSPHOTO) (Image: �TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 8450 946026)

Clapton moved back above local rivals London Bari and into eighth place with victory at the Old Spotted Dog.

The home side had the better of the first half against fifth-placed Lodge, in front of a crowd of 392, but could not find a breakthrough.

The pressure eventually told for Tons, though, as they got their noses in front when substitute James Briggs netted from the penalty spot on 75 minutes.

And Michael Walther’s men made sure of the points when another substitute, Roddy Lemba, tucked home a second from a neat cutback five minutes from time.

Tons will now turn their attention to the London Senior Cup and their tie against Ryman North side Redbridge at Oakside on Tuesday.

Clapton: Seyer, Barry, Bogdan, Moore, Abdujl, Mfula, Ocran, Oshin, Cook, Hunter, Morris. Subs: Webb, Lemba, Briggs, Haighton.

*****

Sporting Bengal 1 Burnham 1

Sporting Bengal were denied victory by a late, late Burnham goal at Mile End Stadium.

Anwar Uddin’s men looked set for a long overdue win after Tunde Adewunmi’s 68th-minute strike put them in front.

But Ramblers snatched a point with an equaliser in the 13th minute of injury time and Uddin tweeted: “Great performance from @SportingBengal today, deserved much more than a point.”

*****

Waltham Forest 1 Newham 1

Ten-man Newham held on for a point in their basement battle with fellow strugglers Forest.

The visitors took the lead on 11 minutes as Brad Williams volleyed home.

But Alex Clarke was dismissed on 25 minutes for a high tackle on Miguel Lopes De Matos and the home side got back on terms through Jose Agua, who converted a perfect cross from Solomon Ofori eight minutes before the break.

Forest missed other chances to take the lead either side of the interval, the best of them when they were awarded a penalty after Ofori was pushed over in the box.

Stephen Ellery saw his penalty saved by Robert Hatton and the draw ensured Forest remained bottom, one point behind Newham, who are due to host Eton Manor at Chadfields on Wednesday.

Other matches were postponed due to waterlogged pitches, includings London Bari’s clash at Basildon, Tower Hamlets’ trip to Greenhouse and Barking’s fixture at Southend Manor.

Ilford’s home meeting with Bowers was cancelled as their rivals had an FA Vase tie, which took precedent but also fell victim to a waterlogged pitch.