MATCH CENTRE

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STATISTICS

AFTER EXTRA TIME
Date: Tuesday 17th September 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: FA Cup First Qualifying Round Replay
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 132
Starters: Max Spence, Miles Smith, Jay Bacon, Sam Edwards, Ryan Cosson (C), Teddy Stacey, Izzy Bademosi, Jerold Cobblah, Juwon Akintunde, Marcel McDonald, Bradley McDonald
Substitutes: Steven Wade, Bradley Monks, Andy Greenslade, Ollie Webdale, Teddy Bowden, Stephen Stafford, Jalen Johnson
Substitutions:
69′ Johnson for McDonald (B)
90+3′ Webdale for McDonald (M)
Goal:
Ryan Cosson (OG) 57′ 0-1
Yellow cards: Bacon, Edwards, Stacey
Red cards: None

REPORT

THE FA CUP JOURNEY IS OVER

Our spirited FA Cup journey came to a disappointing end tonight, as a narrow 1-0 defeat to Gorleston saw us bow out of the competition. 

Despite holding a two-goal lead in Saturday’s initial encounter, Barking couldn’t replicate the same attacking force, and an unfortunate own goal from captain Ryan Cosson proved to be the difference. Gorleston progressed to face St Alban’s City in the next round.

There was just one change from Saturday’s draw, with Miles Smith returning from suspension to replace James Reynolds, and Ollie Webdale made his Barking debut as a late substitute for Marcel McDonald.

The opening stages were cautious, with both teams testing each other out. Barking carved out the first real chance in the tenth minute when Juwon Akintunde found some space, but his shot flew wide. A minute later, Barking goalkeeper Max Spence was called into action with two quick saves in succession, first with his feet and then with his hands, keeping Gorleston at bay. Barking nearly took the lead in the 15th minute when Izzy Bademosi played in Marcel McDonald, but Gorleston’s keeper, Travis Canham, made a brilliant save to divert the ball over the bar. Jay Bacon then tried to surprise Canham with a long-range effort in the 22nd minute, but the keeper reacted just in time to keep it out with his legs. As the half progressed, Barking created a few more chances, but efforts from Bademosi after Barking had cut Gorleston open down the right on 24 and three minutes from the break a free kick from Sam Edwards which sailed over the bar. 

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At halftime, the game remained goalless, with neither side able to find the vital breakthrough.

Barking started the second half with more urgency, winning a couple of corners. Jay Bacon’s inswinging corner in the 52nd minute hit the post, but there was nobody in a position to turn the ball home. 

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The crucial moment that divided the teams came in the 57th minute. A Gorleston attack down Barking’s left side led to a low cross from Kieran Higgs. In a desperate attempt to clear the danger, Ryan Cosson inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, putting Gorleston ahead. Gorleston nearly doubled their lead in the 65th minute after a defensive error allowed a Gorleston forward through, but Spence got a crucial hand to stop the lobbed effort and the follow-up header thankfully went wide. Closest for a while from Barking in the 77th minute when Jalen Johnson correctly judged the bounce of the ball well and surged into the box, but his shot went just over the bar. As time started to slip away, Barking forced more set pieces, with Jay Bacon well placed to shoot, but his shot also cleared the bar. In the 90th minute, Marcel McDonald’s shot seemed destined for the net but was blocked at the last moment. Then, in the sixth minute of added time, there was a strong appeal for a penalty as Bademosi appeared to be bundled over in the box. However, the referee waved play on, and Barking’s final chance to rescue the tie slipped away.

Despite the disappointment, we can take pride in our FA Cup run, which created some memorable moments and we now turn their focus to the FA Vase and this Saturday we are at home to Takeley in the second qualifying round with a slightly 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.

MATCH PHOTOS

Barking FC v Gorleston FC - Tuesday September 17th 2024

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MATCH PROGRAMME

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