STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 15th February 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Myrak Park
Attendance: 72
Starters: Nathan Boamah, Alfie Attrill, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Henry Mabassa, Akiljo Balliu, Fahad Nyanja, Michele Maccari, Sam Shaban, Tyrese Sibanda
Substitutes: Juwon Akintunde, Danny Plumridge-Biggs, Tony Martin, Fionn Murphy, Sakeel Balfour-Brown
Substitutions:
56’ Akintunde for Maccari
79’ Martin for Shaban
83’ Murphy for Sibanda
Goals:
Edwards 29’ 1-0
Nathan Boamah Own Goal 88’ 1-1
Ollie Williams (Buckhurst Hill) 90+4′ 1-2
Yellow cards: Mabassa, Martin
Red cards: None

REPORT

BRAKES ON AT BUCKHURST HILL

Barking couldn’t capitalise on the momentum they gained from an impressive midweek victory over Takeley, as they spluttered in a 2-1 defeat against Buckhurst Hill despite taking a first half lead.

It was not a pretty first twenty minutes before the first chance fell to Barking, home keeper Anthony Page’s clearance falling to Sam Edwards in the centre circle and with Page a long way from his goal he attempted an audacious half volley that swirled in the air and looked to be possibly a contender for goal of the season but it just didn’t dip enough at the end and landed on the roof of the net. Edwards did find the net after 29 minutes, Tyrese Sibanda was fouled on the edge of the box, Sam Edwards stepped up and with an effort over the wall which shot back across Page and into the corner of the net. 

Debutant goalkeeper Nathan Boamah was forced into his first action as a low cross evaded Alfie Attrill, Jack Ferris shot powerfully and low but Boamah was equal to it as he saved with his feet. The Hill pressure continued with Tim Moncur forcing Boamah into another low save with his feet, the ball ended up staying in the Barking area before being cut back to the penalty spot where the resultant shot was skied over the bar. 

The second half started as the first ended, with Buckhurst Hill the better side, but it was Barking who had the first chance after 53 minutes:  Michele Maccari leading a counterattack down the wing before squaring the ball across the box where it found Caleb Dennis but his low shot was collected by Page. Hill continued to pressure without much threat and it was Barking who were next to go closest, as Dennis again hit the target, this time forcing Page into a diving save from a curling effort after 68 minutes. Barking then had two chances in the 73rd minute, firstly Sibanda seeing his effort palmed for a corner, before the best Barking move of the match also ended with Sibanda, this time his turn and powerful shot was saved by the feet of Page. Buckhurst Hill again hit the ascendancy however, Suley Zudhu’s long range effort seemed to be causing trouble before it curled wide of the post after 75 minutes. Another effort went wide with five minutes remaining, but then the home side struck – the 88th minute saw Boamah make an excellent save from close range that led to a corner, but he contrived to punch the ball into the net as the corner was sent to the near post. 

Barking were hanging on for a point in the end, but they couldn’t hold on all the way – with minutes of injury time remaining a looping cross found Ollie Williams in the box and his dipping header nestled in the bottom right corner with Boamah given no chance to secure the home side all three points, and put the brakes on Barking’s playoff push.

We do not have a midweek match and so next Saturday afternoon we travel to league leaders Stanway Rovers for what no doubt will be a tough encounter.

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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