Joint-boss Shamrez Darr reflects on first month of the campaign and next match with Hullbridge

Newham joint-manager Shamrez Darr was hoping to pick up three points tonight (Wednesday) when his side hosted local rivals London Bari at Chadfields in the Essex Senior League, but the match has been called off.

The clash has been postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and extends the east London clubs time without a fixture, they were last in action on September 9 against Basildon United in the Essex Senior League Cup, but exited the competition following a 4-2 defeat.

Samuel Adejokun and Vlad Sighiartau were on target at Longmans Motors Ltd Stadium, but Newham made the journey home with nothing to show for their performance.

“We went to Basildon last week, who have a strong side, and we took the lead twice, but couldn’t keep it. To score two goals away from home and lose is quite disappointing,” said Darr.

“It is a positive that we can take, though, that we are finding the net away from home. We really need to tighten it up at the other end.”

After having their clash with Bari called off, Newham will now switch their attention to Saturday’s trip to Lower Road where they will take on Hullbridge Sports.

Darr is familiar with many at that club and discussed his sides tough start to the league campaign.

Despite the fixture list not being too kind to the east Londoners, they have only lost once in the division this year and that was to leaders Bowers & Pitsea.

“You look at the game against Bowers and it sounds like 3-0 and an easy win, but it definitely wasn’t and we were in that match,” insisted Darr.

“The three goals we conceded were from our mistakes and the disappointing thing is that I think every goal we have conceded has been from our mistakes.

“Only one against Sawbridgeworth, where their lad put it into the top corner, wasn’t from our mistakes, but we are working on that and hopefully with time and more coaching, the boys can eradicate those mistakes.

“We have played all the top sides like Bowers and Sawbridgeworth and Sporting Bengal under Anwar Uddin are a going to be a strong team as well. We are getting those hard ones out the way early I guess and I think we have a decent points tally.

“I know quite a lot of the Hullbridge boys because I have played with them before and they are a good side. Teams like Barking, Bowers. Hullbridge, Sawbridgeworth and Basildon United will be up there come the end of the season so our fixture list hasn’t been kind.”