STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 18th January 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 61
Starters: Dan Purdue, Charlie Thomson, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Fahad Nyanja, Akiljo Balliu, Teddy Stacey, Juwon Akintunde, Sam Shaban, Ugonna Emenike
Substitutes: Henry Mabassa, Tony Martin, Ellis Lawson, Tyrese Sibanda, Fahad Nazor
Substitutions:
73’ Martin for Dennis
77’ Lawson for Emenike
90+8’ Nazor for Stacey
Goal:
Akintunde 90+7′ 1-0
Yellow cards: Akintunde
Red cards: None

REPORT

SEVEN IS THE MAGIC NUMBER    

For the second game in a row a late goal for Barking was pivotal as this time Juwon Akintunde scored the only goal with nearly the last kick of the game as Barking secured a vital three points over Athletic Newham.

This was our first clean sheet in the three games played in 2025 and our first since November 30th when we beat Hullbridge Sports by the same scoreline.

Newham started stronger and broke the Barking press and defensive line after three minutes, as Kai Torres found his way through on goal but his effort was too close to Dan Purdue who saved comfortably. Barking gained a foothold and had their first chance of note after 20 minutes as Juwon Akintunde rose highest to meet Teddy Stacey’s cross but Juwon got under the ball and the header was wide of the target. Barking’s best chances of the first half came five minutes later, firstly Fahad Nyanja heading over the bar from a corner, Barking regained the ball from a short goal kick and Akintunde was slotted through on goal, his great touch left him free in the box to advance but he was denied by Harold Adu-Poku in the Newham goal as he palmed away the effort on goal.

Akintunde had another half chance minutes later and again went close after 33 minutes as he latched onto Ugonna Emenike’s low cross but his turn and shot was shanked well wide of goal. 

A stop-start second half resulted in both sides struggling to impact any sort of quality on the game and the first chance of note fell to Barking and Akilijo Balliu after 63 minutes but he failed to either shoot or play Sam Shaban in on goal and the moment passed without Adu-Poku getting involved. Both sides went close with fifteen minutes to go: substitute Tony Martin saw his header clawed away from goal by Adu-Poku, Newham countered the Barking pressure, a low shot from the left wing was saved by the feet of Purdue but the ball fell to a Newham striker on the edge of the box and with the goal at this mercy he skied the effort over the bar. Sam Shaban saw a header from a corner blocked enroute to goal after 88 minutes but in the seventh minute of injury time Barking finally broke the deadlock: Dan Purdue’s long kick was brought down masterfully by Martin and he set the ball off to Juwon Akintunde who took the ball into the box and shot low, under Adu-Poku and into the net to give Barking an important three points against an in-form Athletic Newham and in the process score his 20th goal of the season.

We do not have a midweek fixture so next Saturday afternoon we make the trip to Little Oakley.

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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