STATISTICS

Date: Friday 11th April 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 131
Starters: Dan Purdue, Charlie Thomson, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Lorenzo Saponara, Akiljo Balliu, Teddy Stacey, Hassan Nalbant, Sam Shaban, Fahad Nyanja
Substitutes: Alfie Attrill, Juwon Akintunde, Fionn Murphy, Michele Maccari, Tyrese Sibanda
Substitutions:
19’ Attrill for Edwards
59’ Murphy for Ahern
83’ Akintunde for Nalbant
83’ Maccari for Shaban
83’ Sibanda for Balliu
Goals:
Blaise Uwandji (Romford) 8′ 0-1
Shaban 9′ 1-1
Shaban 60′ 2-1
Shaban 79′ 3-1
Yellow cards: Saponara, Stacey
Red cards: None

REPORT

SHABAN GETS BARKING TO COME BACK AGAIN

Barking bounced back from last weekend’s disappointing draw with a 3-1 victory over Romford, Sam Shaban netted his third hat trick of the season to take his tally to 25 goals in 37 appearances. The result sees the Blues consolidate fourth place, taking full advantage of Great Wakering Rovers’ midweek loss to Takeley.

There was also good news on the injury front, as Fahad Nyanja returned to the starting XI after four games out, but this was countered by the losses of Sam Edwards and Pat Ahern during the match.

The opening exchanges saw little in terms of clear-cut chances until the eighth minute, when a Barking turnover in midfield as Sam Shaban lost the ball led to Romford taking the lead. Ivan Imasuen released Harry Markatis, who surged forward and found Blaise Uwandji. The Romford man cut across the box and beat Dan Purdue who could only stand and watch to make it 1-0. But Barking responded immediately. Nyanja lofted a ball forward that looked like a lost cause, but Hassan Nalbant’s determination paid off as he chased it down and fired in a low cross. Sam Shaban made up for his earlier mistake by calmly slotting home the equaliser just a minute after going behind. 

Romford continued to pose a threat on the break, while Barking preferred a slower, more controlled build-up. Caleb Dennis broke down the right in the 20th minute and delivered a pinpoint cross for Akiljo Balliu, who was denied by a fine save from Romford keeper Qamil Dervishaj. Balliu continued to be a thorn in Romford’s side, seeing a corner cleared off the line before setting up Alfie Attrill, who shot narrowly wide. Barking finished the half strongly, with multiple chances from corners and two penalty shouts waved away, feeling they could have gone into the break ahead.

The second half began with Barking on the front foot, Balliu once again at the centre of the action. However, a long ball caught Barking out four minutes in, and Purdue was called upon to make a smart save to keep the scores level. On the hour mark, Barking took the lead. With the referee playing advantage after a foul on Balliu, Attrill fed Caleb Dennis, who made a bursting run down the right. His low cross was met by a diving Sam Shaban, who finished with aplomb to make it 2-1.

Romford’s keeper Dervishaj kept his side in the game with another save from Balliu on 73 minutes, but Barking were not to be denied. In the 79th minute, neat interplay between Balliu and Teddy Stacey opened up the Romford defence, and Balliu cut inside to thread a pass to Sam Shaban, who deftly lifted the ball over Dervishaj to complete his hat trick and seal the points.

Purdue was largely untroubled throughout but was called into action again in the 88th minute, making a good save to deny Romford a late lifeline.

Barking comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to claim the three points and leave ourselves in fourth place ahead of the weekend’s games.  

The league is briefly left behind on Tuesday evening as we travel to Wheatsheaf Park in Staines, to take on the professionals of Premier League Brentford FC’s B team.

Report source: Terry 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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