MATCH CENTRE
STATISTICS
Date: Saturday 5th October 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 64
Starters: Max Spence, Miles Smith, Jay Bacon, Sam Edwards, Ryan Cosson (C), Teddy Stacey, Izzy Bademosi, Jerrold Cobblah, Marcel McDonald, Sam Shaban, Andre Anderson
Substitutes: Juwon Akintunde, Danny Taylor, Deivi Kreka, Theophilus Lukyamuzi, Andy Greenslade
Substitutions:
13′ Greenslade for McDonald
68′ Akintunde for Anderson
74′ Taylor for Edwards
74′ Lukyamuzi for Bademosi
Goals:
Bobby Rea 19′ (Little Oakley) 0-1
Cobblah 32′ 1-1
Lukyamuzi 84 2-1
Yellow cards: Smith, Bacon
Red cards: None
REPORT
THE FIRST WIN IS THE HARDEST
Barking left it late but ground out an important three points against a tough and well-organised Little Oakley thanks to first goals for the club from Jerrold Cobblah and super sub Theophilus Lukyamuzi.
The previous two occasions that Little Oakley have visited us they managed to grab a point with very late equalisers, today despite late pressure on the Barking goal they failed to make it three in a row.
The first 20 minutes passed without any chances of note, Barking were hit with a blow however in that period Marcel McDonald was forced off due to an injury with Andy Greenslade replacing him. The second blow then hit them as Bobby Rea drove down the right wing before advancing into the box. his shot at the near post deceived Max Spence who was possibly expecting a cross and found the net.
Little Oakley had a chance to double the lead after 28 minutes as Darren Mills rounded Spence as he advanced out of the box but the ball went very wide of goal and his effort failed to find the net. Barking started to get back into the game and equalised after 32 minutes: Izzy Bademosi was fouled centrally, Sam Edwards chipped the free kick into the box where it found the unmarked Jerrold Cobblah who lifted his header over the head of Oakley keeper Domonic Alexandru, under the bar and into the net.
The away side attempted to exploit this and went close moments into the second half as a low cross from the left wing was met at the far post by a striker who managed to evade the deputising Greenslade but Spence was able to make a save with his feet with the ball looping over the bar. The next 30 minutes passed without any clear cut opportunities for either side of note before the game sprung into life with three chances in very short succession. A low cross from the left wing was met by an away attacker in the box at the near post but again Spence was equal to it as he saved with his body. Barking took the ball up the other end with Cobblah passing to Lukyamuzi and his shot hit the post with Akintunde following up to tap into an empty net but the flag was up for offside. Little Oakley restarted the game and restarted their attacking, leading to a shot blocked by Ryan Cosson that went out for a corner. Barking got their second after this spell calmed down – Theophilus Lukyamuzi drove down the left wing before cutting inside and shielding the ball – he eventually found himself with space about 25 yards from goal – he wrapped his foot around the ball and his perfectly placed shot found the corner, past the despairing dive of Alexandru in goal.
We are back at the Lawtech Stadium on Tuesday evening as we entertain Buckhurst Hill in the first of two visits this month in the second round of the Essex Senior cup.
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.
MATCH PHOTOS
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MATCH PROGRAMME
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