STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 8th March 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 84
Starters: Dan Purdue, Charlie Thomson, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards ©, Scott Doe, Lorenzo Saponara, Hassan Nalbant, Fahad Nyanja, Juwon Akintunde, Sam Shaban, Fionn Murphy
Substitutes: Pat Ahern, Tony Martin, Akiljo Balliu, Tyrese Sibanda, Alfie Attrill
Substitutions:
60’ Balliu for Murphy
61’ Ahern for Saponara
61’ Sibanda for Nalbant
79’ Martin for Shaban
Goals:
Shaban 2′ 1-0
Shaban 5′ 2-0
Luwa Luwabelwa (Clacton) 28’ 2-1
Emmanuel Ikwuegbu (Clacton) 42′ 2-2
Tyler Kemp Penalty (Clacton) 48′ 2-3
Akintunde 60′ 3-3
Dennis 63′ 4-3
Akintunde 82′ 5-3
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

REPORT

THRILLS, SPILLS AND THREE POINTS, EVENTUALLY

Barking secured another three points to keep up their good form but they were made to fight for it by bottom side FC Clacton. Two early goals for Sam Shaban set Barking on their way before Clacton turned it round to take the lead, but in the end Barking’s quality shone through thanks to goals from Juwon Akintunde and Caleb Dennis.

It looked to be clear sailing for the Blues after five minutes: firstly with two minutes on the clock Sam Shaban nodding home from close range from Fahad Nyanja’s long throw which had been nodded into the six yard box by Clacton defender Josh Obanleowo.

Sam Shaban doubled his tally moments later. Clacton failed to deal with a long ball from Dan Purdue with Shaban capitalising to slide the ball home. 

Barking however took their foot off the gas and were made to pay, they were warned with a shot over the bar after 15 minutes but Clacton halved the deficit after 28 minutes, a cross from the right wing was just past Scott Doe and it was met by Luwa Luwabelwa who poked the ball home.

Clacton smacked the bar after 40 minutes, with Barking hoping for the half time whistle to regroup but they couldn’t hold on, this time a long ball finding Emmanuel Ikwuegbu who did well to hold off Lorenzo Saponara before shooting home on the half volley.

Barking’s struggles were not over however, three minutes into the second half a long free kick into the box was handled in the air by Caleb Dennis, possibly as a result of a shove, with a penalty the result. Dan Purdue couldn’t save Barking for a sixth time this season, as Tyler Kemp rifled the ball into the roof of the net. 

The goal finally got Barking back into life, and they should have had an equaliser after 55 minutes when a low cross by Juwon Akintunde was missed by Shaban with the goal at his mercy but it found the impressive Fionn Murphy at the far post – but he was denied by Michael Bett who did well to get across his goal to deny Murphy with the aid of the post. Barking did have their equaliser five minutes later, Dennis’ lofted ball into the box caused problems with Clacton unable to clear before it eventually fell to Juwon Akintunde who squeezed his shot home under Bett.

Three substitutions were made at this point, with not only personnel changes but positional changes, with Caleb Dennis switching from the right wing to the left wing. This change paid dividends immediately – Tyrese Sibanda setting Caleb Dennis down the left wing, he drove into the box before cutting inside and finding the corner of the net with the aid of a small deflection. 

Shaban should have had his hattrick after 65 minutes, a pinpoint cross by Akilijo Balliu found him on the edge of the six yard box but he nodded the ball wide when trying to find the corner of the net. Barking were not punished for the missed chance as they regained control of the game and they made the points safe after 82 minutes – again Clacton failed to deal with an aerial ball down the pitch – Sibanda again turned provider as he set Juwon Akintunde through on goal who shot low and hard past Bett for Barking’s fifth.

To Barking’s relief they saw out the rest of the game with little problem, with Dennis going close again during stoppage time as Barking made it five wins out of the previous six matches, scoring 20 goals in the process.

We do not have a midweek fixture and our next game is also at home when we take on Sawbridgeworth Town next Saturday afternoon.

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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