Match Reports

Meanwhile ACE displayed a woeful first half performance against rivals Elite Youth. They lacked creativity and did not look like a championship winning team. ACE’ club captain was the first to test the goal keeper after seeing his low shot saved. Syed Ali thought that he had broken the deadlock but his shot rattled the underside of the crossbar. Elite Youth came close to scoring but their attempt on goal was tipped over the crossbar.

Straight after the restart winger Nurul Haque’s shot flew inches wide away from the target. Abdul Sabur’s strike was denied by the woodwork. Seconds later ACE found themselves trailing a goal down, after centre-back Shahidul Kabir lost possession of the ball in a dangerous territory. ACE persevered into getting an equaliser and salvaging their excellent league form in 2008 until the final 10 minutes, when Syed’s cross was headed in by Sabur. Syed then scored ACE’ second after some scrappy play in the opposition’s defensive half. Abdul Miah extended the lead further from the spot-kick after ACE were awarded a penalty for handball in the 18 yard box.

10/08/08 SHOCK BYM DEFEAT HANDS TITLE TO ACE

ACE FC have been crowned champions of the BFA second division without kicking a ball and remain on course for an unprecedented back to back undefeated championship. But who was to know what the day had installed for them as there were many twists and turns in the race for second place. Having lost last week, London Tigers ‘B’ ended up taking the runners’ up spot. A shock 3-1 defeat to Bromley ‘B’ saw BYM’s promotion hopes ended in tears as they were leading for most of the campaign but faltered on the last hurdle.

03/08/08 ACE ONE WIN AWAY FROM PROMOTION

ACE FC are one win away from securing promotion to the first division. With a game in hand and without kicking a ball in three weeks ACE needed the 3 points to keep their title contention alive and were given a major boost when local rivals Hackney Probashi drew 0-0 against Brothers Union and London Tigers losing against Vallance FC.

ACE made a nervous start against Bromley ‘B’ and 10 minutes into the game found themselves falling behind after some woeful defending during a set-piece. ACE did pull a goal back after Syed Ali’s cross was bundled into the net by Nazmul Hussain After a shock wake up call ACE did respond by producing some of the finest football and deservedly took the lead when Aziz Diallo threaded the ball to Syed Ali who struck the ball with great power and venom. ACE were lucky not to have conceded another after Bromley ‘B’s front man Prince saw his acrobatic scissor kick attempt go wide and was giving ACE’ centre-backs Christopher Mukunku and Jual Ali a rough time.

After the restart ACE shifted a gear and extended their lead even further. Nazmul Hussain scored his second of the match and what must be considered as a sensational build up where no fewer than ten passes were exchanged amongst the players, starting from the defence. With the angle against him Abdul Sabur rounded off the match with some fancy foot work and the use of his pace to beat several opponents before curling the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. Meanwhile the defensive duo of Chris and Jual managed to keep Prince quiet during the entire second half.

13/07/08 ACE GO TOP FOR THE FIRST TIME

ACE FC have gone to the top of the BFA second division for the first time this season after beating Mohammedan ‘B’ 2-1. Earlier on ACE watched Hackney Probashi and BYM battle it out on the field. BYM recorded another victory after beating one of their title contenders 3-1. Meanwhile London Tigers ‘B’ thrashed FC Brick Lane 4-1, and has now left the championship race wide open as any of the top four teams can be promoted.

Prior to kick-off ACE knew that they could not afford to slip up as the team went in search for nothing less than another victory. Couple of minutes after kick-off ACE took the lead after Syed Ali crossed the ball to fellow team-mate Nazmul Hussain who tapped the ball past former ACE goalkeeper Iqbal Hussain. Seconds later ACE should’ve scored another but were denied by the post. Just before the end of the first half Mohammedan ‘B’ got their equalizer after some poor defending by ACE.

After the half-time team talk, ACE responded well by creating numerous chances. Jallal Miah saw his shot struck directly at the keeper and then later saw his shot ricocheted off the woodwork. The pressure was beginning to mount on ACE but Nazmul salvaged three vital points by restoring ACE’ lead after being played a superb ball from playmaker Abdul Miah.

06/07/08 ACE CAPITALISE AS TOP THREE SLIP UP

ACE FC made sure that they took full advantage by picking up another three points after seeing top three sides being held to a goalless draw. The victory for ACE now means that they're second in the league table level on points with Hackney Probashi & BYM and also with a better goal difference from BYM.

ACE returned to action against Robin Hood after a fortnight’s break. Manager Hassan Khan had to shuffle players around due to several absentees. Straight from the kick off ACE dominated the half with possession and created a hatful of chances to take the lead within the first few minutes of the game but Syed Ali and Onaldo Dos Santos’ shots were either blazed over the bar or across the face of the goal. Midway through the first half ACE took the lead and deservedly did so after Onaldo Dos Santos’ corner kick was bundled into the net by Syed. ACE’ Ryan Clarke came close to adding another but his shot went wide.

Robin Hood did not create any clear cut chances. 10 minutes through the second half ACE extended lead after Abdul Sabur created an opportunity for substitute Frederic Mukunku who rolled the ball into the goal. It was his first goal since the opening game of the season against London Tigers 'B'. Frederic had another chance to but his shot was blocked by a defender.

ACE FC have failed to go beyond the first round of the annual BFA Cup after losing 4-2 in a dramatic penalty shout-out. ACE dominated most of the half with possession but trailed the Premiership side after 10 minutes when goalkeeper Konok Miah was beaten to the ball in the air by Abohani’s strong and powerful centre forward. ACE re-grouped after the restart and tested the keeper on numerous occasions and should’ve got the equaliser after Syed Ali’s shot was parried by the keeper but M.H. Balde’s follow-up was directly struck back at him. ACE got the goal that they were looking for when Aziz Diallo turned provider for Jual Ali who scored his first goal in just over a year.

The second half was evenly contested between both sides. Neither team created any decent chances. At the end of 90 minutes the match ended one a piece and had to be settled in a penalty shoot-out. In the shoot-out ACE’ Frederic Mukunku and Shahidul Kabir converted their penalties unfortunately Jallal Miah and Abdul Sabur were unlucky not to do so. ACE felt that they should’ve won the match at the end of normal time with the attacking free flow football they’re known to play with.

ACE FC’ Syed Ali’s brace of goals inspired ACE to picking up another vital three points as ACE look to maintain the pressure on the league’s top two teams BYM and Hackney Probashi. ACE made some minor adjustments to the team that thrashed FC Brick Lane and started very positively by dominating the half with much of the possession. 6 minutes into the game Ryan Clarke opened the account after curling the ball past the far post. Minutes later ACE extended their lead after being awarded a penalty for handball. ACE’ Brazilian playmaker Onaldo Dos Santos calmly slotted the ball into the net. ACE almost came close to letting Brothers back into the game when the ball was lofted over their goalkeeper Konok Miah but his right-back Shamiur Rahman anticipated on the error and cleared the ball for a corner kick.

The second half saw ACE step up a gear with the midfield quartet of Syed, Onaldo, M-H Balde and Jallal Miah dictating the game. It wasn’t long until Syed got his first after Onaldo’s corner kick was bundled in at the far post. Nazmul Hussain’s saw his shot denied by an acrobatic goalkeeper. Balde also came close to getting his name on the scoresheet but his vicious header was well off target before Syed scored his second with a typical low drive for his 6th goal of the season. ACE FC remain in the fourth position after Hackney, BYM and London Tigers 'B' all won. ACE return to league action in a fortnight's time when they entertain bottom of the league side Newham.

ACE FC cruised to a 6-0 win over local rivals FC Brick Lane after scoring five second half goals. Brick Lane started brightly and had lot of the early possession but failed to create any decent chances. ACE' early chance fell to Frederic Mukunku who made a great run in the box, only to be denied by the keeper. ACE were awarded a penalty after 15 minutes which seemed controversial but Jallal Miah made no mistake from 12 yards as he sent the keeper wrong way for his second goal of the season. Brick Lane looked for a quick equaliser but struggled to beat ACE' defence. Syed Ali came close to adding a second before the interval but his vicious free kick was inches wide of the post. Brick Lane had the last chance of the half to draw level but a goal bound effort was cleared off the line by Syed.

ACE kicked off the second half and took control of the match as Syed scored a second with a low shot. FC Brick Lane's task was made more difficult after they were reduced to ten men. Substitute Ryan Clarke came off the bench to score a third as ACE created hatful of chances. Syed who had a superb match on the left of midfield scored his second with a thunderous shot which crashed in off the cross bar. Nazmul Hussain added a fifth from close range. FC Brick Lane wasted a great chance to score a consolation goal after Shahidul Kabir gave away a soft penalty but Konok Miah saved the penalty not once but twice. Konok brilliantly saved the first spot kick but the linesman flagged for a re-take and Konok superbly saved again to keep a clean sheet. Ryan completed the rout in the stoppage time for his second of the match.

ACE FC picked up 3 vital points after beating Vallance Youth 2-1. It was their second win of the season after failing to pick up maximum points in their previous two league games. ACE made 7 changes to the starting line up due to injuries and illness. Vallance started the half brightly and wasted good chances as ACE struggled to get into the match. Nazmul Hussain had ACE's best chance but his superb volley was tipped over the bar for a corner kick and Shahidul Kabir headed the resulting corner over the bar. ACE took the lead midway through the first half thanks to recalled Brazilian play maker Onaldo Dos Santos, his low shot was deflected past the keeper.

Vallance Youth kicked off the second half and got their equaliser 7 minutes into the half, by breaking into the box and placing a low shot into the corner. The goal gave them confidence as they were searching for the important second goal but ACE defended well. ACE manager Hassan Khan made couple of substitutions and they made an immediate impact on the pitch as Ryan Clarke replaced Nazmul Hussain, and Jallal Miah replaced Abdul Miah. Ryan almost scored with his first touch after Abdul Sabur played him in with a superb pass but the Vallance keeper made the block. ACE got their winner with about 5 minutes left to play after Syed Ali sent Ryan Clarke clear on the left and the striker won a penalty for handball and Onaldo Dos Santos scored his second with a well taken penalty to give ACE 3 much needed points.

It was deja vu once again as ACE were held to a draw for the second week running despite leading against promotion favourites Hackney/E7 side. ACE started brightly and had lot of the early possession but very few chances were created by both sides. ACE did take the lead after 10 minutes through Syed Ali who blasted a shot from 20 yards to put ACE 1-0 up for his second goal of the season. ACE's lead only lasted 5 minutes as Hackney got their equaliser with a well taken goal from outside the box. Hackney caused lot of problems for ACE with their long throw tactics and wasted good chances to go in front. Aziz Diallo and Syed Ali had efforts saved by the keeper as the first half ended all square.

ACE kicked off the second half but found it difficult to open up the Hackney defence. Mawaitou Hambaliou Balde saw a 25 yard drive go inches wide of the post. Ryan Clarke gave ACE a 2-1 lead after the Hackney keeper failed to clear a cross and the ball fall kindly for Ryan to smash it in from close range. Syed Ali had a great chance to put ACE 3-1 up but he decided to cross the ball for Ryan Clarke who was making the run, but the defence cleared the danger. With about 15 minutes remaining Hackney drew level after a long throw was flicked on at the back post and their winger headed the ball past Konok Miah. Nazmul Hussain came of the bench and wasted two good chances to put ACE in front. Konok Miah kept ACE in the match with two superb saves late on.

ACE took on one of the promotion favourites BYM and made the worst possible start by gifting them a goal within 15 seconds after the kick off. ACE's team selection took a major blow after first choice goalkeeper Konok Miah had to pull out due to personal circumstances and players were shuffled around. ACE responded 5 minutes later to draw level thanks to Syed Ali, the winger opening his goal account with a low powerful shot. ACE's football improved and they went in front after Aaron Fisher's corner was headed in by Mawiatou Hambaliou Balde. ACE pressed forward for the third but Nazmul Hussain and Abdul Sabur had efforts saved. ACE were denied a penalty claim after Abdul Sabur was bundled in the area but the linesman flagged for a goal kick.

ACE took a deserved 3-1 lead early in the second half, Aaron Fisher's free kick wasn't cleared and Nazmul Hussain tapped the ball in from close range. It was one way traffic all the chances went ACE's way, Nazmul Hussain wasted a great chance to put ACE 4-1 up but his back heel was cleared off the line. Abdul Sabur raced clear on goal and dragged his shot wide of the post. With about 10 minutes remaining BYM were allowed to get back into the game after Jual Ali gave away a soft penalty and the striker hammered the spot kick past Shamiur Rahman. The goal gave BYM the upper hand and they piled on the pressure to draw level. BYM came very close to snatching a winner in the stoppage time, Shamiur Rahman made a superb one handed save from 12 yards and the rebound was headed wide of the post.

ACE started the 2008 BFA summer league season with three points and an excellent display from the team. Two minutes into the match ACE conceded a penalty, Abdul Miah appeared to trip a Tiger's player in the box but Konok Miah came to his rescue by brilliantly saving the spot kick. Syed Ali had ACE's first chance after 5 minutes but his powerful effort was saved by the keeper. Minutes later ACE were awarded a penalty after Nazmul Hussain was brought down in the box and club captain Jallal Miah converted the spot kick. Tiger's didn't look much of a threat as ACE dictated much of the first half and had chances to extend the lead through Nazmul Hussain and Aziz Diallo.

Second half saw Tiger's equalise with a 20 yard thunderous shot past Konok Miah. Abdul Sabur came off the bench to restore the lead with a clinical finish after being played a peach of a ball from Abdul Miah. Frederic Mukunku headed in a third from Aaron Fisher's corner kick to put ACE 3-1 up. London Tiger's 'B' pulled another goal back after a controversial decision by the referee. Aziz Diallo rounded off the match with a neat finish to make it 4-2. Mawaitou Hambaliou Balde, Abdul Sabur and Syed Ali all wasted good opportunities late on for ACE. A great performance saw ACE make the perfect start with several key players still out injured.