STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 5th August 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round
Venue: Chalk Lane
Attendance: 170
Starters: Harry Girling, Caiden Imbert-Thomas, Tom Troubridge, Kenedi Dariri, Aundre Spencer (C), Brad Rowland, Fahad Nynja, Kai Haysman, Gabriel Oloko, Martin Tuohy, Matthew Cambridge
Substitutes: Samraj Gill, David Owiredu, Harvey Brown, Christian Adu-Gyamfi, Joel Bevan, Cairan Burke, Mitchell Cohen
Substitutions:
60′ Adu-Gyamfi for Cambridge
78′ Gill for Tuohy
86′ Owiredu for Oloko
Goals:
Oloko 50′ 1-0
Yellow cards: Dariri, Rowland, Haysman, Girling
Red cards: None

REPORT

COCKFOSTERS BOW OUT TO BARKING

In a closely contested cup tie Barking secured a hard-fought victory away against Cockfosters for the second consecutive season, thanks to Gabriel Oloko’s 50th minute strike..

The match, however, was blighted by contentious officiating that left both teams frustrated and tempers flared as the game progressed, adding to the intensity on the field.

Barking’s line up saw a few changes, with Mitchell Cohen, the regular goalkeeper for the Under 23’s, earning a spot on the bench for the first time. Matthew Cambridge made his debut start, while Joel Bevan also found himself included in the squad as an unused substitute.

The early stages of the game saw little action, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. Martin Tuohy had the first attempt of the match, but his shot sailed wide of the mark. As the quarter-hour mark approached, neither side had managed to impose themselves on the game. Cockfosters threatened to break the deadlock in the 23rd minute when George Sippett’s powerful strike forced a brilliant save from Barking’s goalkeeper, Harry Girling, who managed to deny the home forward with his legs. In the 29th minute, Cockfosters thought they had taken the lead after a defensive mix-up from a corner allowed the ball to fall to the feet of George Lutanya, who slotted it into the net and wheeled away in celebration. However, the assistant referee raised her flag, and after a brief discussion with the referee, the goal was disallowed. Barking continued to press forward, and their closest opportunity came in the 42nd minute when Kenedi Dariri’s header seemed destined for the back of the net, only to be cleared off the line by Cockfosters’ Joe Entwhistle. 

Despite the late first-half drama, Barking managed to hold on until halftime, which was extended due to an excessive amount of added time.

As the second half kicked off, the sun came out from behind the clouds and Barking emerged with renewed energy, taking control of the game’s tempo. Their efforts were rewarded in the 50th minute when Aundre Spencer played a well-timed through ball to Brad Rowland, with the Cockfosters’ defence vainly appealing for offside, Rowland’s shot was blocked by home keeper, Quamil Dequishat,.Gabriel Oloko capitalised on the rebound and fired home, giving Barking a crucial goal advantage. 

As the match entered its final stages, Cockfosters intensified their efforts to find an equaliser: Girling was called into action again in the 77th minute, making an important save to deny the home side, the resulting follow up shot from Entwhistle was deflected over for a corner.

The home team continued to push for a late leveller, in the first minute of added time Girling made a superb save tipping over a curling shot from George Lutanya. Barking seemed penned in their own area as Cockfosters managed to force a series of corners and Jason Beck came close, firing over the bar shortly after Girling’s save. The referee added over ten minutes of stoppage time, during which Cockfosters continued to apply pressure, but Barking stood firm leaving the home side to join Buckhurst Hill and White Ensign this season in being unable to breach the Barking back line 

The reward for beating Cockfosters is an away tie at Heybridge Swifts in the preliminary round on Saturday August 19th. A bit sooner this Tuesday evening we are back in the league and back at the Lawtech Stadium to face Tilbury.

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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