Non-League and Academy football writer

Soul Tower Hamlets welcomed SC Thamesmead to the Mile End Stadium on Wednesday night, for this SCEFL Division One fixture. Soul Tower Hamlets started this league fixture in fifth place (after 27 matches played) in the league table. SC Thamesmead started this game in ninth place in the league standings, after 27  matches played. Soul Tower Hamlets would win this game 2-1. Early on in this game, SC Thamesmead player Deshon Carty would get to the ball following a clever back-heeled short pass, to the left-hand side of the Soul THFC penalty area. Carty would then play the ball across to Wilfred Peel-Evans, inside of the box, and his effort on goal at Sidi Haidara’s near post, was well kept out by the Soul THFC goalkeeper. At the opposite end of the pitch, a couple of minutes later, Soul THFC player Ashaan Siddik would receive a short pass on the right-hand side of the visiting team’s penalty area. He would cut inside with the ball on to his left foot, before seeing his resulting low effort on goal, be well gathered to his right, by SC Thamesmead’s goalkeeper, Archie Wayne Aldous.

An excellent cross-field pass from deep, by Louie John Maxwell, would find the run of Kieran James, in a bit of space and down the right-hand side of the away team’s penalty area. James’ powerful effort on the bounce, was well pushed behind by Archie Wayne Aldous. A couple of minutes later (Soul THFC were now playing some really effective football), Steve Carvell would pick the ball up some 30 yards out from the SC Thamesmead goal, before hitting an outstanding effort on their goal, which had both power and dip on it. That effort would rattle the crossbar, with Soul THFC now getting ever closer to taking the lead in this game. However, following on from Philip Brown’s low effort on goal (from the edge of the SC Thamesmead box), which was gathered by Archie Wayne Aldous, the visiting team would finish the half in strong fashion. 

The first of two SC Thamesmead chances would see Jack Ernest Church get to a lofted pass down the left-hand side of the home team’s box, but, his effort was then gathered by Sidi Haidara. And then, Dillon Woods would make a hugely important sliding challenge (he was the last man) to take the ball off of SC Thamesmead forward Steve Karkari, who was through on goal and on the edge of the home team’s penalty area. During the first couple of minutes of the second half, Steve Carvell would hit a powerful free-kick effort (from 28 yards out), which would whistle past the SC Thamesmead goalkeeper’s left-hand post. However, the visiting team would go on to enjoy a good spell in the second half, which would also see them take the lead in the match. As shortly after Jack Ernest Church had got to the ball following a Soul THFC clearance to the edge of their penalty area, he would hit an effort wide on the bounce, it was a couple of minutes later that SC Thamesmead would would take the lead. 

SC Thamesmead’s goal arrived following a long goal-kick from Archie Wayne Aldous, whose long ball to the home team’s final third, was flicked on really well by an SC Thamesmead player towards Deshon Carty, who had ran in behind the Soul THFC defence, and into their box. From there he would finish clinically into the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, 0-1. Soon after the game had resumed, and after Luke Alliband’s free-kick from the right-hand side of the pitch, deep into the Soul THFC box had been headed over by a teammate, the home side would show real character. Soul THFC substitute Sherman Artmeladze’s run with the ball to the edge of the SC Thamesmead box, would result in him hitting a powerful effort wide of their goal. But, then in the 80th minute of the game, the home team would deservedly draw level in this contest. As following a pass to Joao Cruz on the right-hand side of the visitor’s penalty area, his powerful effort on goal was well parried by Archie Wayne Aldous, at his near post. However, running towards the ball on the follow-up was Keanu Hill, who powerfully headed the ball into the goal, 1-1.

Less than two minutes after having drawn level, Soul THFC would take the lead. Keanu Hill was once again the goalscorer, this time receiving the ball around 30 yards out from the SC Thamesmead goal, before hitting an absolutely brilliant effort, with great power on the ball, as it found the top right-hand corner of the goal, 2-1. After some great celebrations from the Soul THFC players and coaching staff, the team would finish the game strongly. After a powerful free-kick (from distance) from Steve Carvell, had gone wide of the SC Thamesmead goal, Philip Brown’s outside of the boot effort from the edge of the box, would go just wide of the goalkeeper’s right-hand post. Soul would keep on going at a good intensity, right until the final whistle. And during the final moments of the game, SC Thamesmead’s goalkeeper would save a fine volleyed effort at his near post, before a defender would then superbly clear an effort off the goal-line, a couple of minutes later, as Soul THFC finished the game really well. 

I thought that even though a good and well organised SC Thamesmead team took the lead in this game, that Soul Tower Hamlets were deserved winners on the night, picking up a hugely important three points in the process. They played their game with good variety, and Shipon Miah and John Pike’s side worked really hard for the win, and with the great quality throughout their squad, I always thought that were they able to get a leveller, then they would go on and win this game. Keanu Hill was my player of the match on Wednesday. Starting this game on the right-hand side of central-defence for Soul THFC, he played well defensively, but he also made a great impact in front of goal, going on two score two really well taken and important goals. His second goal and match winner, was outstanding! Special mentions must also go to Soul players Steve Carvell, Louie John Maxwell, and Kieran James, for their notable performances. My SC Thamesmead player of the match was their goalscorer, Deshon Carty.