The Clapton CFC Men’s First Team staged a remarkable second half comeback with 4 goals in 16 minutes to beat Sporting Bengal United in a rainy pre-season friendly.

Our East London neighbours Bengal, who play one division higher, went 2-0 up thanks to a thunderbolt strike from their left-back and a close-range finish from a striker. However, Andre Odeku‘s third goal of pre-season reduced the deficit just before half-time.

A close range header early in the second half put Bengal 3-1 up and with a seemingly comfortable two goal lead again. However, two neat team goals in quick succession, scored by a Trialist and Development Team star Korahn Gayle, turned the game on its head.

The closing stages of the game saw torrential soaking the Stepney Green Astroturf. Azariah George-Lawal coolly scored a fourth from the penalty spot before Development Team top scorer Emmanuel Olasehinde outsprinted the keeper and rounded him for a fifth.

This was the second win against higher opposition of pre-season, having beaten Hackney Wick 3-1 a week earlier. Another Step 5 opponent awaits on Saturday in the Brian Lomax Cup against Dunstable Town.