Fireworks as Sporting Bengal beat Deal Town in 10 goal thriller

Sporting Bengal United turned on the style to defeat Deal Town in a mesmerising home match.

Mamun Chowdhury’s boys got off to the worst possible start, conceding an early penalty after keeper Shamim felled the Deal Town centre forward.

Takaloo obliged, duly stepping up to shoot past the Bengal keeper. Deal began to dominate and Bengal were left scrapping for opportunities in the middle of the park. Goal opportunities dried up as a disciplined Deal restricted Bengal to hopeful long range punts.

“We were giving the ball away too easily,” said Sporting Gaffer Mamun Chowdhury.

The disciplined Deal approach paid dividends as Takaloo sprung the Bengal rearguard, found space and cleverly lobbed Shamim from outside the area.

Buoyed by the goal, the travelling Deal team and support scented blood. Sporting though responded well and were unlucky not to pull a goal back, Prince Pippin just failing to convert the chance created for him.

Bengal began to assert pressure and the pressure tide changed with a goal, Luton based hotshot Yasser Rashid striking magnificently from 30 yards. Rashid’s goal scoring exploits are legendary, and some may recall the 53 goals he notched for United Sporting Luton during the 2007/2008 season.

Though Bengal applied a steady wave of pressure, it was not long before Deal restored their 2 goal advantage against the run of play, with Govey taking advantage of a shaky defence.

Chowdhury did not waste time and made changes during the break by introducing Justin and John Donoughie to the game. It was to prove a tactical masterstroke and paid immediate dividends. With a more spirited attack, both Justin and Yasser went close before Donoughie scored his first Bengal goal to once again cut the lead to a solitary goal.

Chowdhury ordered his team forward, demanding more effort. The pressure paid off and in the 75th minute Pippin made up for his earlier miss, turning two Deal defenders and shooting low and hard from outside the box to equalise.

There were more twists to come, and it was a mere 3 minutes before the brilliant Takaloo who completed his hat trick and Deal’s 4th.

Battered Sporting did not give up and kept chipping at the Deal rearguard with neat attacking forays. A moment of magic was needed and it was that man Yasser Rashid again, who picking up the ball 35 yards out, skipped a lunch before thundering home another wonder strike.

Amazingly, both teams continued to play The game had opened up and both teams looking for an amazing 5th goal.
In a rare forward move, Bengal centre back Aaron Hutchins picked the ball up in his own half and played a one two with substitute Justin Zackaria. Hutchins found himself in unfamiliar territory with Zackaria’s return. The stopper’s thunderbolt struck the post and sneaked past the Deal goalkeeper for the clincher and Sporting's 5th of the game. In the dying minutes, the splendid Rashid fluffed a sitter, followed by a terrific save by the Deal keeper a few minutes later. Rashid changed roles, turning provider by crossing deep into injury time for Donoughie to score his second and Sportings 6th.
The celebrations erupted at the final whistle seconds later. Manager Mamun Chowdhury said, "At half time we were very much second best team and Deal deserved the 2 goal lead.

“I told the boys they had to play with a bit more belief as we have a lot of talent in the camp. John (Donoughie) made a massive impact as sub and Yasser’s performance was star quality.

“The boys showed tremendous character and belief in the second half to clinch the 3 points, I am very proud of them."

© Emdad Rahman