Saturday 31st January, 2026 | Sporting Bengal 1-3 Buckhurst Hill | Essex Senior League Premier | Attendance : 27
By Harry Biggs
Buckhurst Hill made amends for their 3–3 draw against Sporting Bengal United back in December, as Mark Williams’ side produced a brilliant performance to defeat the struggling Tigers in the capital.
The game nearly ended before it had even started, with the referee close to postponing the fixture due to an unplayable pitch just one hour before kick-off. The match was saved, however, by Buckhurst Hill manager Mark Williams, who stepped in at the last minute to take on groundsman duties at Mile End Stadium, temporarily putting his managerial responsibilities to one side. With the gaffer working relentlessly right up until kick-off, the pitch was eventually deemed just about playable, and The Stags returned to action for the first time in three weeks. Well done, gaffer!
Onto team news, and two changes were made to the side that travelled to Ilford on 10th January. In-form Harry Lusher was named on the bench, with experienced striker Tony Martin starting up top as the first of the two changes — a bold decision that would pay off massively by the final whistle. The other change saw Dimitri Nicolaou replace the unavailable Tyler Dolan in midfield, completing a trio in the centre alongside captain Ollie Williams and the experienced Josh Banfield.
The Stags started the game as the stronger of the two sides and remained in control for much of the contest, with Sporting Bengal struggling to break through a resolute Hill defence.
An early header from Harvey Brown inside the first five minutes was the first effort to trouble the hosts, but his attempt drifted just over the crossbar.
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute when Callum Maltese fired The Hill in front. Tony Martin, who was involved in all three goals, laid the ball off to Maltese, who drove his effort goalwards, sending the keeper the wrong way to give The Stags a deserved lead.
Buckhurst Hill continued to dominate, with both Maltese and Nicolaou testing the goalkeeper. Maltese saw another effort sail narrowly over the bar, while Arthur Massingham missed the best chance of the half without scoring, skewing his shot wide from a position he would normally convert, perhaps undone by the bobbly surface.
Sporting Bengal drew level just before the break after being awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Evander Lopes converted from the spot, netting his second penalty of the season against Buckhurst Hill to send the sides in level at the interval.
The second half brought more action and, crucially, more goals. Just over ten minutes after the restart, The Stags regained the lead. Arthur Massingham made amends with a neat finish inside the area after being played through by Tony Martin, who claimed yet another assist.
Mark Williams turned to his bench twice within eight minutes to maintain the intensity. Massingham was replaced by Harry Lusher, and shortly after, Yannis Mengou came on for Callum Maltese.
With 12 minutes remaining, Sporting Bengal were reduced to ten men when defender Iman Imasuen received a second yellow card for a late challenge on substitute Harry Lusher, who was breaking towards goal.
In the same minute, Williams made his third change, with Archie Hammond replacing Dimitri Nicolaou in midfield.
The Stags took full control in the closing stages and sealed the victory with a third goal — a well-deserved one for Tony Martin. After bringing the ball down on the edge of the area, he calmly side-footed his finish into the bottom corner with a true striker’s touch, leaving the keeper with no chance.
Further fresh legs were introduced before full-time, as Ethan Daniels returned from injury and Jason Balde made just his second first-team appearance, replacing Tony Martin and Josh Banfield, both of whom had delivered outstanding performances.
That concluded the action in the capital, with Buckhurst Hill extending their unbeaten run to 12 games and setting the record straight with a well-earned victory over Sporting Bengal — something they had been unable to do back in December.
TEAM:
North 🧤, Fosters, Edwards, Williams ©, Fernandez, Brown, Massingham ⚽, Banfield, Martin ⚽, Maltese ⚽, Nicoloau
SUBS:
Daniels (88’ – Banfield), Hammond (80’ – Nicolaou), Mengou (74’ – Maltese), Balde (88’ – Martin), Lusher (67’ – Massingham)