STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 24th August 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: FA Vase First Qualifying Round 
Venue: Lawtech  Stadium
Attendance: 73
Starters: Max Spence, Miles Smith, Olu Shobowale, Teddy Stacey, Ryan Cosson (C), Charlie Thomson, James Reynolds, Jerold Cobblah, Juwon Akintunde, Hassan Nalbant, Bradley McDonald
Substitutes: Teddy Bowden, Bradley Monks, Archie Sherrin, Michael Mignot, Anthony Folkes
Substitutions:
62′ Folkes for Cobblah
66′ Mignot for Reynolds
68′ Bowden for Smith
75′ Sherrin for Akintunde
81′ Monks for Spence
Goals:
McDonald 19′ 1-0
McDonald 22′ 2-0
Akintunde 27′ 3-0
Akintunde 52′ 4-0
Yellow cards: Shobowale
Red cards: None

REPORT

OH BROTHER! BRADLEY BASHES BARESI

Barking secured a comfortable passage to the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase with a 4-0 victory over FC Baresi. Debutant Bradley McDonald and brother of Marcel scored two while Juwon Akintunde added to his winner against Redbridge with his own brace to take his tally for the season to four goals in seven games. 

The result was more impressive considering the players missing for the Blues for various reasons – Chris John, Jay Bacon, Sam Edwards, Marcel McDonald and Andy Greenslade. 

The enforced changes saw Olu Shobowale at left back with Charlie Thomson making his first start at centre back. There were also debuts for Hassan Nalbant, Bradley McDonald, Anthony Foulkes, Archie Sherrin and Bradley Monks.

Both sides had early half chances but Baresi couldn’t cope with Barking pressing from the front and they capitalised after 19 minutes, debutant Hassan Nalbant was rewarded with the ball and he slid Jimmy Reynolds in down the right wing – his low cross was met at the far post by Bradley McDonald who side footed the ball home with authority for Barking’s first. 

.

He had his second, levelling his brother Marcel’s tally for the season, three minutes later, he drove forward from the left wing and with time outside the box Bradley McDonald drove a skidding shot that beat Harvey Simson at his near post. 

.

The Barking onslaught continued and it was 3-0 after 27 minutes, a Baresi midfielder split his own defence with a pass and this time Bradley turned provider, with a simple ball across the box for Juwon Akintunde who found the net with ease. 

.

Baresi had some efforts but of little note with Max Spence not tested and it was Nalbant who went closest with half time approaching but his powerful effort from the edge of the D was just over the bar.

Barking were in no mood to stop in the second half and the lead was extended to four after 52 minutes – Reynolds was rewarded for a driving run as McDonald played him down the left wing of the box – his lifted cross was only palmed in the air by Simson and Juwon Akintunde took advantage to nod the ball home from close range. 

The task was made even harder for FC Baresi minutes later as substitute Martin Valkov was sent off for a studs up challenge on Jerrold Cobblah as he attempted to beat him down the left wing. Barking kept driving with Nalbant hell bent on getting his first goal for Barking but he saw his piledriver of an effort from a narrow angle well saved by Simson. Simson again denied Barking after 66 minutes – this time clawing away Ryan Cosson’s goal bound header from Teddy Stacey’s corner. The game became slower and a bit more stilted as Barking made substitutes, including replacing goalkeeper Max Spence with another young goalkeeper in Bradley Monks, and he was called into action to preserve the joint clean sheet as a near post from the left wing was met by a Baresi attacker but Monks did well to deny his low effort with his feet. There were four former Barking players in the Baresi side (Harvey Simson, Isioma Richard, Ahmed Abdulla and Junior Appiah) and it was Richard who went close late on as he drifted unmarked into the box for a cross but he headed over the bar.

The full time whistle went soon after meaning Barking progress where they will face fellow Essex Senior League side Takeley as they look to exact some revenge for their recent league defeat.

Before then we are away again in the FA Cup next Saturday when we travel to St Neots Town in the first qualifying round.

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.

Click above to open in a new window

To read/download a digital version of the match programme click on the above image