STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 27th April 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: The Rush Green Bowl
Attendance: 104
Starters: Max Spence, Bleron Ademi, Kenedi Dariri (C), Jack Folan. Pat Ahern, Karl Kayembe, Declan Nche, Izzy Bademosi, Fahad Nyanja, Jack Dickinson, Shaye La-Rose
Substitutes: George Forrest, Brad Rowland, Michael Osei, Warren Kayembe, Kai Bichard
Substitutions:
67′ Osei for Nche
68′ Kayembe (W) for Bademosi
73′ Rowland for Folan
73′ Forrest for Ahern
81′ Bichard for Ademi
Goals:
Nche 5′ 1-0
Dariri 59′ 2-0
Dickinson 66′ 3-0
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

REPORT

Barking marched into the end of season play-offs with a dominant performance at the blowy Rush Green Bowl on Saturday.

FC Clacton are facing their own issues and fielded a youthful side for their final game of the season. And while they can be commended for their competitive attitude this was a mostly one-sided affair with Barking keeper Max Spence barely called upon for 90 minutes.

The Blues, playing in yellow, were straight on the front foot and in the first minute Bleron Ademi’s long throw into the box was flicked on by Jack Dickinson and only cleared as far as Izzy Bademosi who’s shot was blocked. Moments later the same striker managed to turn in the box but again he couldn’t get his shot away before he was closed down. Barking took the lead on five minutes when Shaye La-Rose sent a glorious pinpoint cross to Declan Nche, lurking behind everyone in the box, who gleefully slammed the ball into the bottom corner. Ademi, having something of a field day down the right-hand side, centred for Karl Kayembe on 13 minutes but the shot was scuffed and then cleared. And four minutes later the wing back’s corner found Kenedi Dariri at the far post but his header back across goal was cleared. As the first half wore on Barking found their rhythm and on 26 minutes some delightful approach play led to Jack Folan fizzing a shot just over the crossbar from the edge of the box. A minute later Ademi dispensed with his role of provider and instead turned inside the opposing full back and cracked a shot which the Clacton keeper did well to turn around the post for another corner. It was all one-way traffic by now and on 30 minutes some fancy footwork from Nche led to Bademosi seeing another shot blocked. Two minutes later yet another Ademi corner found Dariri 10 yards from goal but his bullet header was straight at the grateful keeper. On the verge of half-time Nche’s cross found Kayembe but his downwards header was saved.

The second half started in exactly the same way as the first with the visitors immediately on the front foot and looking to extend their lead. Two minutes in and Ademi’s corner was flicked on by big Pat Ahern but Dariri’s header was blocked. And two minutes after that Bademosi’s shot was deflected wide for a corner, again Ademi found the head of Dariri but again the header was blocked. Perseverance paid off handsomely on 59 minutes as Ademi sent in a free-kick and this time Kendi Dariri’s bullet header evaded everyone and found the back of the net for 2-0. And it was three just six minutes later. Bademosi burst into the box down the left-hand channel and put in what could have been either a cross or a shot but was powerful enough that the keeper could only parry it into the path of the onrushing Jack Dickinson who side footed home to all but seal the three points. Barking were happy to utilize their substitutes and control possession but really should have had a four on 78 minutes. Subs Warren Kayembe and Michael Osei combined well with Osei’s shot heading goalwards but the offside La Rose instinctively stuck out a boot to help it on its way and the flag went up instantly to cancel the effort out. Barking saw out the last ten minutes of the regular season by keeping hold of the ball while the Mayesbrook faithful ran through its repertoire of songs behind the goal. Everyone at the club now waits to see who and where we’ll be playing in the play-offs.

Report source: Mark Harris/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.