STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 26th April 2025
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Ashton’s Stadium
Attendance: 272
Starters: Dan Purdue, Fahad Nyanja, Caleb Dennis, Alfie Attrill, Pat Ahern ©, Lorenzo Saponara, Akiljo Balliu, Teddy Stacey, Juwon Akintunde,
Sam Shaban, Fionn Murphy
Substitutes: Charlie Thomson, Alamin Kosoko, Tyrese Sibanda, Michele Maccari, Sam Edwards
Substitutions:
17’ Thomson for Saponara
HT Sibanda for Ahern
62’ Maccari for Dennis
80’ Kosoko for Shaban
Goals:
Marko Protic 18’ (Woodford Town) 0-1
Shaban 24’ 1-1
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

REPORT

ALL SQUARE AT ASHTON’S

It had an end of season feel at Ashton’s Stadium as both sides, already confirmed to be in the playoffs, played out a 1-1 draw. Barking could have finished ahead of Great Wakering as they drew against Stansted, but by failing to win we will travel to Takeley on Wednesday night.

Woodford took the lead after 18 minutes as Marko Protic flicked the ball home at the near post from a low cross.

Barking nearly had an immediate equaliser as Sam Shaban volleyed over his own shoulder from Fionn Murphy’s long throw but former Blue Manny Agboola did well to tip the ball onto the bar. Dan Purdue pulled off his first vital save of the day after 20 minutes as Protic again broke through to go one-on-one with Purdue but he stayed large and tipped Protic’s effort wide. Barking had their equaliser at the halfway point of the first half from another Murphy set piece: this time his near post corner was flicked on by Alfie Attrill into the six-yard box where it was met by Sam Shaban who nodded the ball into the net. The goal was Sam’s 27th league and cup goal of the season for the Blues, and his 23rd in the league.

The first half carried on without many other chances of note as the sides were reluctant to give much away or contribute too much, considering there were more important games ahead starting in midweek, 

Woodford did threaten early on in the second half as they got through on goal again but this time the Blues defence did well to recover and prevent Woodford from getting any shots off on goal. Barking did finish the final ten minutes the better side and managed to create a few chances and threaten but no shots really challenged Agboola and Barking will now travel to Station Road on Wednesday evening in the Essex Senior League playoff semi-final.

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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