West Essex 2-1 Ilford FC

West Essex won a hard-fought encounter against Ilford at Wadham Lodge on Friday evening to improve their hopes of a top ten finish in the Premier Division of the Essex Senior League.

Ilford nearly surprised 91 home fans with their first attack from kick-off. However, Tony Da Silva scuffed his attempted volley into the grateful arms of Kacper Ignatiuk, the West Essex keeper.

Despite the early chance, the next 44 minutes were typical of an end of season, mid table clash, with both teams struggling to create.

This changed at the stroke of half time when Cameron Gray put West Essex 1-0 up on his 201st appearance for the club. David Bell’s pinpoint cross was headed home after the Ilford centre backs failed to track Gray’s late run.

After the break, Ilford put the home side under sustained pressure. In the 65th minute, they thought they had a deserved equaliser, but the goal was ruled offside.

West Essex weathered the storm, and in the 75th minute were awarded a penalty. Samrat Gill was fouled in the box and Reece Clarke drilled his penalty straight down the middle to make it 2-0.

Then, in the 87th minute, Ilford set up a grandstand finish. A corner caused chaos in the box before the ball fell to their captain, Jordan Fisher, who headed home from close range.

Finally, with seconds remaining, Ilford spurned a chance to nick a draw when Da Silva blazed his effort over the bar.

Teams: West Essex:  Ignatiuk; Hardy, Lamb, Okuguni, Gray, Dame, Lo-Seye, Wazola, Clarke, Bell, Gill. Ilford:  Kuzsel; Sharpe, Ahmetaj, Vieira, Racine, Fisher, Harpon, Da Silva, Scarlett, Lazaris, Gomes.