STATISTICS

Date: Tuesday 4th March 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Woodside Park
Attendance: 112
Starters: Dan Purdue, Fahad Nyanja, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards ©, Scott Doe, Lorenzo Saponara, Ugonna Emenike, Teddy Stacey, Juwon Akintunde, Sam Shaban, Jerold Cobblah
Substitutes: Charlie Thomson, Hassan Nalbant, Akiljo Balliu, Tyrese Sibanda, Fionn Murphy
Substitutions:
45+17’ Sibanda for Cobblah
63 Murphy for Emenike
63 Thomson for Stacey
77 Balliu for Edwards
Goals:
Shaban 3’ 1-0
Akintunde 25’ 2-0
Shaban 29’ 3-0
Nyanja 45+31’ 4-0
Shaban 53’ 5-0
Yellow cards: Purdue
Red cards: None

REPORT

SOMETIMES, FOOTBALL TAKES A BACK SEAT

Barking secured an emphatic 5-0 victory away at Benfleet, with Sam Shaban netting a hat trick, supported by goals from Juwon Akintunde and Fahad Nyanja. 

However, the result was overshadowed by a serious injury to Jerold Cobblah in the 34th minute, which halted the game for half an hour. Cobblah, who had just returned from a previous injury, now faces a lengthy spell on the side-lines.

A special mention must go to referee Richard Airey, who handled an emotional situation with great care, as well as Benfleet FC for their support and assistance during the incident.

The win strengthened our league position, by moving us into third place, although both Takeley and Great Wakering Rovers have two games in hand. Scott Doe, recently signed from Romford, helped to secure our first clean sheet since January 18th.

Barking wasted no time in asserting their dominance. Just three minutes in, a free kick was awarded inside the Benfleet penalty area for obstruction (holding onto the ball with both feet). Teddy Stacey rolled the ball to Sam Edwards, whose strike was deflected into the net by Sam Shaban for the opening goal. 

Despite several blocked shots mainly from Sam Edwards, on 16 Barking came close when Juwon Akintunde flicked the ball onto Shaban and his shot from distance was tipped over by Benfleet keeper Florent Gislette. However, in the 21st minute, a defensive lapse allowed Benfleet’s Corey Rider to send a dangerous ball into the box. Barking goalkeeper Dan Purdue brought down Billy Carter, conceding a penalty and earning a yellow card. However, Purdue redeemed himself with an excellent save, by beating away Taylor Lawrence’s spot kick, making his fifth penalty save of the season. 

Just four minutes later, Barking doubled their lead. A well-worked move involving Stacey, Edwards, Shaban, and Jerold Cobblah ended with a pinpoint cross from Stacey, met by Juwon Akintunde, who headed home for a brilliantly worked goal. 

Barking made it 3-0 in the 29th minute when Edwards’ through ball was half-cleared. Cobblah flicked it on, and Akintunde, in an attempt to head it, took a knock in the face from the defender’s attempted clearance. The ball fell to Cobblah again and his header found the onside Sam Shaban, who ran through unchallenged to score.

Then, in the 35th minute, the game took a distressing turn. Benfleet’s Cameron Harris was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Jerold Cobblah. The Barking player was left in clear distress and no doubt will have a lengthy spell of time away from the game.  After Jerold was moved to the warmer visitors dressing room to await an ambulance, the match had been paused for some 30 minutes, resumed and Tyrese Sibanda replaced Cobblah in a now more sombre atmosphere. Barking still had time for a fourth before the break. Deep into added time (45+31), a well-delivered Edwards looped corner was met by Fahad Nyanja, at the far post who headed home to make it 4-0 just before halftime.

With the break cut short due to the earlier stoppage, Barking continued their dominance. In the 52nd minute, Akintunde capitalised on a defensive mistake to run through but saw his shot saved by Gislette’s legs. Just three minutes later, another Edwards corner was cleared only as far as Stacey, who once again set up Edwards to deliver another pinpoint cross. Sam Shaban rose highest, and although Gislette got a hand to his header, the striker followed up to complete his hat trick and make it 5-0. 

Barking continued to create chances, with Shaban going close twice more and Sibanda striking the crossbar in the 76th minute. As full-time approached, they peppered the Benfleet goal with shots but couldn’t add to their tally. The final chance came in added time when Akiljo Balliu played a delightful ball into the box, met by Scott Doe, whose powerful effort just cleared the bar.

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.

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