STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 7th November 2026
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Mayesbrook Park
Attendance: 132
Starters: Lee Haylock, Philip Hayford, Celeany Filho, Charlie Thomson ©, Jack McQueen, Liam Boxall, Ryan Pickles, Ali Mansaray, Michael Dixon, Abdi Ali, Josh Gruby
Substitutes: Mwetsi Matangi, Teddy Bowden, Sonny Dutton, Dan Thompson, Shaye La-Rose
Substitutions:
77’ Dutton for Pickles
77’ Bowden for Dixon
77’ Thompson for Ali
90’ La-Rose for Gruby
Goals:
Thomson 60′ 1-0
Pickles Penalty 62’ 2-0

REPORT

SECOND HALF DOUBLE SEES OFF CLAPTON

Barking bounced back from last week’s disappointment as their impressive league home form continued with a 2-0 victory over Clapton CFC.

The Blues started the first half well with Michael Dixon seeing his tenth minute curling effort from just outside the box tipped onto the bar by Tons keeper Jack Francis. It took twenty minutes for the next chance of note and it was a similar story as some good interplay set Dixon through on goal albeit from a narrow angle with Francis further denying with an arm by his side. Francis again did well to deny the Blues with five minutes of the first half remaining as Jack McQueen met Celeany Filho’s far post cross but his headed effort back across goal was saved by the feet of Francis.

The game did not pick up in quality but the Blues grabbed the initiative at the hour mark as an excellent cross from Josh Gruby evaded Michael Dixon but to the delight of the Blues Charlie Thomson snuck in at the far post to guide the ball into the net.

The old saying about London Buses came home to roost as the Blues immediately pushed forward again – Ali Mansaray finding Ryan Pickles on the edge of the box who looped the ball into the box – Michael Dixon attempted to bring high ball down with his head but instead his head was met by a Clapton high foot with the referee pointing to the spot. Ryan Pickles stepped up and continued his impressive form from the spot as he sent Francis the wrong way as he found the bottom right corner of the net.

The game did become more open as Clapton attempted to push forward but the Barking defensive line were resolute and Lee Haylock did not have a save to make. In reality it was Barking who looked more likely to score but efforts from Thomson, subs Sonny Dutton, Teddy Bowden and Dan Thompson didn’t find the target as Barking importantly took three points alongside a clean sheet.

There is midweek cup action as we travel to Benfleet on Wednesday evening in the first round of the Errington Challenge 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.

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