London APSA wins Charity Cup for Newham Learning Centre

NILC 2-6 London APSA

Emdad Rahman

Normal service resumed as the London APSA Youth Team played and triumphed in another cup final. About 100 spectators crammed into the Spotted Dog – home of Clapton FC – to watch APSA win the coveted East London Charity Cup against NILC FC and raise money for the Newham Learning Centre in Manor Park in the process. Players’ families, fans and the general public watched a mouth watering finale. as both teams battled it out to be crowned champions.

In the first half it was APSA who maintained most of the possession with their quick passing and ball control. NILC, to their credit, closed down well and frustrated their opponents early on. APSA drew first blood after the captain Tanbir Ahmed fed a crisp ball neat into winger Akram Miah, whose deflected cross shot made it 1-0.

NILC were sloppy, and a flurry of free kicks conceded proved costly as Taher Mahmood’s long punt was steered in by Kamran Uddin to make it 2-0 to London APSA. APSA scented blood, and their pressing game led to a third. Uddin turned provider, and his pinpoint cross was tapped in by Akram Miah to make it 3-0.

NILC showed character as wing man Abdullah pulled a goal back on the stroke of half time after capitalising on sloppy APSA defending. Abdullah started the second half in the same manner and his early strike made the scores 3-2 to APSA.

It was game on, and NILC pressed forward in numbers to try to force an equaliser. It wasn’t to be, as Akram Miah broke and scored a fourth, which was also his hat trick for APSA. The explosive youngster scored a fourth and a late fifth to seal a 6-2 APSA rout. At the final whistle both teams were told that they had raised over £200 for the Newham Learning Centre.

Manager Hafiz Ahmed said after the game: “I’m really proud of the boys and the way they kept the ball and more importantly kept their discipline throughout the game. I was really pleased that all the parents came down to support the event. It was a brilliant atmosphere. We have worked really hard in training this week to make this happen and I couldn’t have asked for more. We wish NILC all the best. I thought our class stood out throughout, especially when we were under pressure.”

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