STATISTICS

Date: Wednesday 20th November 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Cricklefields Stadium
Attendance: 92
Starters: Dan Purdue, Charlie Thomson, Akiljo Balliu, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Henry Mabassa, Jaiden Putman, Teddy Stacey, Juwon Akintunde, Sam Shaban, Jerold Cobblah
Substitutes: Deivi Kreka, Omar Eisa, Joshua Blaine-Carr, Andre Anderson, Izzy Bademosi
Substitutions:
60’ Bademosi for Cobblah 
Goals:
Shaban 10’ 1-0
Jabir Adam (Ilford) 28′ 1-1
Akintunde 46’ 2-1
Joel Appiah (Ilford) 49′ 2-2
Yellow cards: Putnam
Red cards: None

REPORT

A FROSTY POINT AT ILFORD

Barking made it three unbeaten as they endured a frosty reception from a battling Ilford side as the sides for the second time this season shared the spoils in nearly freezing temperatures.

Barking took a rare early lead on ten minutes after some individual brilliance from Sam Shaban, he received the ball from debutant Jaiden Putman before dancing past three defenders and smacking the ball into the top corner from just inside the box for our 50th league and cup goal this season. 

Teddy Stacey saw a speculative effort from the edge of the box just go past the post but Ilford started to turn the screw as they seemed to adapt better to the conditions and on 28 Jabir Adam took control of the ball on the right wing and drove forward, taking the ball past Putman before slotting low across Dan Purdue into the bottom left corner of the net. 

Neither keeper was subjected to any further tests but Barking started quickly and regained the lead just after the start of the second half, Juwon Akintunde latched onto a through ball and his hard low shot fizzed past Boateng and into the net. 

Barking’s advantage lasted mere minutes however, a free kick from the halfway line for Ilford was launched into the box, with the ball ending up stuck near the penalty after an aerial duel before landing kindly for Joel Appiah who slotted the ball home. Putman had a chance of his own after 52 minutes as he drove into the right side of the box but a bobble put paid to his effort as it went comfortably wide. The conditions forbade any chance of quality football from either side and neither side could fashion any opportunities until the final ten minutes with Ilford going close twice: first capitalising on some hesitant defending only to shoot straight at Purdue before forcing him into a proper save just before injury time as he tipped a long range effort over the bar. Stoppage time passed with no further chances of note, and while in isolation Barking may be disappointed with a draw, seven points from Craig Edwards’ first three games in charge, including two victories over fellow playoff contenders represents an excellent restart to Barking’s season.

We are away again on Saturday afternoon as we make the slightly longer trip to Sawbridgeworth Town.

Report source: Trevor Gilbert/Barking FC

Please note that the opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, nor should be attributed to Barking Football Club.

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