|
Although this was a point gained in the end Barking should reflect on the chances they had to extend their league and failed to capitalise when in the ascendancy. In a match played in the teeth of a swirling wind across the open spaces surrounding Hullbridge’s ground both sides in each half took advantage of the conditions – however, Barking had enough possession in and around the home area to have built on Aaron Gayle’s first half strike on the first start of his loan period and forced a second goal but ultimately paid the price when the home side equalised eleven minutes from time. Only the legs of keeper Liam Stone saved us from defeat. The starting eleven reflected only one change from Monday evening’s game with Duane Miller unavailable Aaron Gayle took his place. Our overall record against Hullbridge is now P6 W2 D3 L1 F10 A7.
Early in the game a header from Aaron Gayle finds Jimmy Noakes whose shot is safely gathered by home keeper Richard Mann. A couple of minutes later it is Gayle’s turn when the wind allows him a fortunate bounce, but Mann is equal to the effort and there is no danger. On 11 Mann has no chance as Barking take the lead, after hassling a defender into a mistake Aaron GAYLE jinks inside and unleashes a ferocious shot which beats Mann’s dive and nestles in the back of the net for 1-0, his first for us this season and fourth in total. Naturally stung by the goal Hullbridge attempt to fight back and for a period the visitors are pinned back mainly through the fierce blasts of wind which means they are unable to clear the ball especially Liam Stone who found his goal kicks not reaching the halfway line. One attempted clearance by a Barking defender perilously screwed back towards our goal and with Stone scrambling across his goal was relieved to see the ball go past the post for a corner. There is a further let off for the yellow shirted Blues when a ball across the box fails to find a Hullbridge player and the chance goes begging. Barking come back again and a cross-cum-shot by Abraham Adejokun nearly deceives Mann but he manages to palm it away to safety. Its Adejokun a couple of minutes later when his cross finds Sam Dennis whose lob is taken away from the goal by a forceful gust and when Noakes manages to head the ball back across goal the unmarked Sam Dennis trying to get a good connection on the ball is unable to keep the ball down and it flies over the bar from close range. As the teams left the field at halftime it was the visitors who had more to be happy about.
Barking start the second half looking comfortable in possession and force e a number of throws, free kicks and corners which although pressured the home goal the only real chance was James Hughes shot from outside the area and with Mann beaten hits the bar. That aside Mann and his defenders stood firm and at the other end the Barking back four were defending properly as a unit giving nothing away and pushing up where necessary. With neither side looking like they could put the ball in the net the visitors were in the driving seat and if they carried on doing things correctly then three points would be theirs. The tide began to turn against Barking when Hullbridge introduced their substitutes and suddenly found a burst of energy and urgency which previously had been missing the visitors find themselves going backwards rather then forwards. A disputed free kick inadvertently leads to the home side’s equaliser. James Hughes felt and certainly looked like he was fouled; the referee booked the Barking number two for having the cheek for making an inquiry and awarded a free kick ... to Hullbridge. This leads to another free kick for a foul which is well taken and unlike the first half Jack Munroe is left with a simple tap-in for 1-1. In response and to try and bring some impetus back to their play Dave Ross make a double change with Neil Matthews and Adejokun being replaced by Fabio Jesus and Dean Clark. With eight minutes left Stone saves us from defeat with a fine save from Chay Spreadborough. Captain Alan Lethbridge is sent up front and makes a general nuisance of himself and on 86 when Noakes sets him up his shot is well saved by Mann. In added time a good run into the box from Noakes forces a corner which comes to nothing and when the home side break away sub Clark up against a much bigger opponent does very well to win the ball and avert the danger and make sure we go home with a point.
Next week we are at home to Concord Rangers who will be looking for three points to close the gap on second placed Barkingside in what promises to be a very tough encounter.
|
