White Ensign beaten in eventful season opener
The 2025/26 season got off to the worst possible start for Ensign who found themselves 4-0 down inside 33 minutes.
Although Riley Weir did pull one back for the hosts just before half time, Tower Hamlets restored their four-goal cushion six minutes after the restart through Samir Bihmoutine.
On 73 minutes, following a clumsy challenge from Joseph Atoki, both he and two Tower Hamlets players were sent off – including goalkeeper Sidi Haidara.
Ensign failed to make the man advantage count, only managing a single consolation goal deep into injury time thanks to Mechack Asuka.
It took the visitors just 63 seconds to break the deadlock and it came courtesy of an Ensign mistake.
Tolu Ajayi's fluffed clearance gifted the ball straight to Sherman Artmeladze, who lobbed the ball over Ensign 'keeper Jordan Williams to give the visitors an early lead.
Tower Hamlets were only promoted to the Essex Senior League last season, but made light work of Ensign and soon added to their lead with two goals in quick succession.
Rian Patel did well up against Ajayi on the right-hand side before finding Steve Carvell in space in the box.
His shot was parried by Williams, but only as far as Kieran James who side footed home the rebound from close range.
The away side kept up the pressure, with Artmeladze seeing a shot from distance turned behind by Williams, and they soon added a third to their tally.
Carvell got his name on the scoresheet, thumping an unstoppable strike past Williams and into the top corner from 20 yards.
Things then got even better for Terry Spillane and John Field's team, making it 4-0 just past the half hour mark.
James slipped a clever pass into Artmeladze who was able to break into the box and, despite losing his balance, wriggled away from both Ajayi and Albie Keith, before chipping the ball over Williams and into the top corner.
Any hopes of a major Ensign comeback were increased somewhat just before the interval, with the hosts reducing the deficit to three goals.
Rio Campbell dug out a cross and it was met by Weir who beat Haidara with a stooped diving header to make it 4-1 going into half time.
However, six minutes into the second period, Tower Hamlets restored their four-goal cushion.
Louie Maxwell thumped the ball forward and over the Ensign backline, Bihmoutine raced onto it, beat Williams to the ball and poked it past the Ensign 'keeper and into the back of the net.
The game fizzled out somewhat after this, however with 20 minutes left to play it sparked back into life.
Haidara claimed an Ensign corner and looked to start a Tower Hamlets counterattack.
However, when he went to kick the ball he was caught by Atoki, resulting in Haidara wrestling Atoki to the ground and sparking a huge fight between both sets of players.
When tempers did finally cool down somewhat, referee, Adeolu Adeyemi, brandished three red cards – dismissing both Atoki and Haidara as well as Tower Hamlets defender Keanu Hill who was also involved in the melee.
This resulted in, not only a man advantage for Ensign, but also outfielder Taylor Gibson having to go in goal for Tower Hamlets.
Aaron Bloxham's side couldn't make this count though.
A glancing header from Asuka, seven minutes into injury time proved nothing more than a consolation as Ensign fell to a heavy defeat on opening night.
Ensign are next in action on Wednesday night, when they entertain a Barking side who take on Basildon United this weekend.
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