First Division

SC Thamesmead 0-0 Soul Tower Hamlets

 

SC Thamesmead and Soul Tower Hamlets may have finished goalless, but it was packed with action…

Early in the game, Cameron MacMillan headed wide of the near post for the home side, followed by a dangerous cross from Charlie Dale, set up by a superb pass from Edward Dwyer, which was cleared thanks to solid defending from Soul.

Shortly after, Steve Karkari found himself through on goal down the right channel but couldn’t beat Soul’s goalkeeper, Ali Ozcelik, who came off his line quickly to make a fine block.

Around the 30-minute mark, Soul had their first real chance. They earned a free kick just outside the box, and Ashaan Siddik’s attempt was punched clear by Ryan McCourt.

Karkari came close again, only to be denied by Ozcelik, who blocked his shot on the goal line after the visitors failed to properly clear a corner.

As the first half drew to a close, MacMillan had a shot blocked from a Mason Simms’ cutback, while Siddik fired wide for Soul following a quick counter-attack.

Early in the second half, MacMillan was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty. Karkari stepped up to take it, but Ozcelik made another great save, diving the right way to keep the score level.

Moments later, MacMillan hit the post with a spinning effort, and substitute Raphael President had a chance, only to fire over the bar. Soul responded with a dangerous long-range shot from Timothy Monsheju, which narrowly missed the target with McCourt beaten.

Aaron Walker came on for Thamesmead and nearly scored immediately, but his deflected shot went just wide. A brief halt followed when the floodlights failed, delaying play by 13 minutes.

Once play resumed, Ozcelik again denied Dwyer with an outstanding save. In added time, Soul won their first corner, which Monsheju headed just wide. Soon after, Shareef Ali raced through on goal, but McCourt made a brave save, suffering a knock in the process.

Nick Bell’s shot was deflected wide for the visitors before Thamesmead’s Shiaroe MacDonald had a golden opportunity to win it, but his outside-of-the-foot shot drifted wide.

Monsheju’s late free kick struck the wall, and a frantic scramble in the Thamesmead box from another corner was heroically defended, preserving the 0-0 draw. The match ended after 22 minutes of stoppage time, with both teams earning a point.

 



P