STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 29th March 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League 
Venue: The Bobby Moore Sports Hub
Attendance: 57
Starters: Dan Purdue, Charlie Thomson, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Lorenzo Saponara, Akiljo Balliu, Teddy Stacey, Juwon Akintunde, Sam Shaban, Tyrese Sibanda
Substitutes: Alfie Attrill, Tony Martin, Fionn Murphy, Michele Maccari, Lusaed Kastrati
Substitutions:
70’ Martin for Akintunde
80’ Attrill for Edwards
80’ Maccari for Shaban
86’ Murphy for Balliu
Goals:
Anderson Silva Baro (Newham) 29′ 0-1
Dennis 31′ 1-1
Shaban 50′ 2-1
Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro (Newham) 52′ 2-2
Edwards 59′ 3-2
Leonardo Luis De Carvalho Pedro (Newham) 78′ 3-3
Stacey 79′ 4-3
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

REPORT

STACEY STEERS BARKING HOME

Barking got back to winning ways after a disappointing defeat last Friday evening but Athletic Newham made them work very hard as the Blues eventually ran out 4-3 victors, with Caleb Dennis, Sam Shaban, Sam Edwards and Teddy Stacey on the scoresheet.

It was a blustery day in Dagenham which had an effect on the play, with Barking going closest in the first fifteen minutes from a series of set pieces from Edwards. Barking finally half-tested Harold Adu-Poku in the Newham goal after 20 minutes as a Sam Edwards cross was met by Sam Shaban but it was gathered eventually by the Newham stopper. It was Newham who took the lead after 29 minutes – a counterattack worked the ball to the ever dangerous Anderson Baro, who is even more dangerous when left in space and he drove forward and shot low and hard across Dan Purdue into the net with the help of the post. Barking levelled the game nearly immediately, Akiljo Balliu’s cross found its way to Caleb Dennis at the far post and his acrobatic volley slammed the ball into the net for his third of the season. 

Barking started the second half as they finished the first and had a deserved lead five minutes in, Charlie Thomson’s pass was dummied by Sibanda and found Juwon Akintunde in space – he shot low across Adu-Poku who couldn’t hold the ball and Sam Shaban stayed alive to capitalise for his 18th league goal of the season.

It was déjà vu however for everyone in attendance, as this time Newham equalised two minutes later, with the defence split by a through ball Leonardo Pedro rounded the onrushing Purdue and slotted into the empty net for 2-2. Barking had the lead back however after 59 minutes, an attack down the left wing from Dennis left Akintunde with the ball at this feet, again his shot was blocked and fell back to Sam Edwards, his first effort was also blocked but it fell back to him and with a clear sight of the bottom left corner he placed it there with aplomb leaving Adu-Poku motionless as his shot from the edge of the box gave Barking the lead again.

Barking managed to avoid conceding quickly and even had a few chances of their own with Stacey curling his effort just wide of the goal but Newham always looked dangerous on the counter and they found themselves level again with twelve minutes remaining as they split Barking open down the middle, Pedro once more finding himself through on goal, this time shooting low and hard past Purdue into the net. The succession of quick goals somehow continued as Barking regained the lead, substitute Tony Martin finding himself in space on the right wing and his perfect cross found Teddy Stacey in the box who stooped low to flick the ball on with his head, past Adu-Poku and into the bottom left corner of the net for 4-3. 

Newham to their credit never gave up and they continued to look dangerous. Their best chance coming in injury time as again a striker found himself one-on-one with Purdue, this time as he attempted to round him Dan did well to stick out a leg and deflect the ball into his body before gratefully smothering it to ensure Barking took all three points, getting them ever closer to the playoffs.

Next up is a return home to face Stansted in seven days time as we get towards the business end of the season.

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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