STATISTICS

Date: Tuesday 10th December 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 52
Starters: Dan Purdue, Charlie Thomson, Geneiro Maragh, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Henry Mabassa, Akiljo Balliu, Jerold Cobblah, Tony Martin, Sam Shaban, Tyrese Sibanda
Substitutes: Fahad Nyanja, Juwon Akintunde, Izzy Bademosi, Andre Anderson, Michael Ngoo
Substitutions:
HT Akintunde for Martin
64’ Nyanja for Sibanda
80’ Anderson for Cobblah
80’ Ngoo for Akintunde
81’ Bademosi for Shaban
Goals:
13’ Jon Evans Penalty (White Ensign) 0-1
36’ Maragh 1-1
50’ Akintunde 2-1
53’ Shaban 3-1
64’ Jon Evans Penalty (White Ensign) 3-2
Yellow cards: Ahern, Mabassa
Red cards: Mabassa (2 X Yellows)

REPORT

BARKING GET IT OVER THE LINE (EVENTUALLY)

Barking displayed resilience and determination to secure a 3-2 victory over White Ensign, extending our unbeaten streak in league and cup matches to seven. 

The Blues overcame a red card and continual Ensign pressure to claim a hard fought three points, moving us up to fifth in the table and into the playoff places.

The match began at a frenetic pace, with Barking’s Tyrese Sibanda showing flair early on with a promising run into the box but firing over after. However, it was White Ensign who struck first in the 13th minute. A defensive lapse by Pat Ahern allowed a visiting player to get the wrong side of him and the subsequent foul gave Ensign a penalty, the spot kick was taken by Jon Evans who calmly sent Dan Purdue the wrong way from the penalty spot to put the visitors ahead. Ensign seized the momentum, while Barking struggled to create clear chances, with a Sibanda effort saved by Ensign keeper Bradley Davison being the only notable response.The breakthrough for Barking came in the 36th minute. Akiljo Balliu’s incisive pass was left by Sam Shaban and Tony Martin who were possibly offside, allowing debutant Geneiro Maragh to collect the ball. Despite taking it wide, Maragh unleashed an unstoppable shot past Davison to level the score. 

The half ended with both sides pushing forward but failing to test either goalkeeper further.

In the first minute of the second half Purdue’s attempted clearance was blocked and thankfully the subsequent dangerous looking cross was cleared for a corner which was also cleared. Then Barking found some renewed energy. In the 50th minute, a Balliu corner was cleared to Sam Edwards whose attempted shot found Juwon Akintunde, who slotted home his 16th goal of the season to give Barking the lead. 

It was nearly 3-1 as Sam Shaban blocked a clearance and Akintunde was denied by a superb Davison save. But on 53 minutes Tyrese Sibanda’s blistering run down the right side and pinpoint cross found Sam Shaban, who bundled both the ball and himself into the net for Barking’s third.

At 3-1, Barking looked to be cruising. However, the game took a dramatic turn. In the 57th minute, Jerold Cobblah was fouled in the box, giving Barking a penalty, but Akintunde blasted his effort over the bar. This miss proved pivotal, as shortly after, Henry Mabassa’s under-hit backpass led to a second penalty for Ensign and a red card for the Barking defender. Evans converted the spot-kick again to make it 3-2, setting up a tense finale. Down to ten men, Barking dug deep. Ensign ramped up the pressure, but Purdue rose to the occasion, making a superb full-stretch effort to deny Evans a hat trick in the 79th minute. On 90 minutes Purdue made another save, this time to keep out a low shot. As the match entered a lengthy period of added time, Barking defended valiantly, and in the ninth minute of added time after repelling a Ensign corner the final whistle finally sounded to end the game. 

We will look to continue the momentum when we visit Benfleet on Saturday with an earlier kick off of 2pm.

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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