STATISTICS

Date: Tuesday 7th January 2025
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: The Jack Carter Centre
Attendance: 77
Starters: Dan Purdue, Charlie Thomson, Geneiro Maragh, Billy Knott, Pat Ahern ©, Fahad Nyanja, Akiljo Balliu, Teddy Stacey, Saweed Djinadou , Sherquan Touissant, Caleb Dennis
Substitutes: David Aderibigbe, Henry Mabassa, Ellis Lawson, Fahad Nazor, Danny Plumridge-Biggs
Substitutions:
90+2’ Lawson for Touissant
Goals:
22’ Djinadou 1-0
51’ Taymar Fleary (Frenford) 1-1
69’ Dennis 2-1
80’ Nyanja Penalty 3-1 
Yellow cards: Balliu
Red cards: None

REPORT

BARKING COME IN FROM THE COLD WITH ALL THREE POINTS

On a bitterly cold evening, Barking showed their resilience to secure a 3-1 victory over Frenford, bouncing back from their weekend defeat. 

With four new signings in the starting lineup and another on the bench, the refreshed squad delivered a much needed win, with debutants Saweed Djinadou and Caleb Dennis both marking their first appearances with goals.

Barking started brightly, with Sherquan Touissant delivering a dangerous cross in the sixth minute that Frenford goalkeeper Kasey Clark did well to block with his body. However, despite Barking’s early dominance, clear-cut chances were few and far between in the opening stages The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute when Akiljo Balliu latched onto a through ball from Teddy Stacey and squared it across the box to the waiting Saweed Djinadou, who calmly side-footed the ball home to open his account for Barking and put the visitors ahead. 

Frenford looked to respond but found Barking goalkeeper Dan Purdue untroubled. Barking began to assert control, with Clark called into action multiple times. In the 33rd minute, Caleb Dennis was fouled just outside the box, and Billy Knott’s resulting free kick was spectacularly turned away by Clark. As the first half wound down, Frenford started to press more, but Barking’s defenders held firm, heading into halftime with a slender single goal lead.

Frenford emerged from the break picking up where they left off and it was no surprise that their pressure paid off in the 51st minute. A free kick from Nick Reynolds was flicked on by former Blue Warren Kayembe to Taymar Fleary, who fired home the equalizer, leaving Purdue with no chance. Barking responded well, nearly regaining the lead six minutes later when Djinadou’s flick freed Balliu, but his angled shot was wide. In the 69th minute, Barking’s persistence paid off. Geneiro Maragh and Balliu combined to set up Touissant, who ended a run across the area with a low shot that smacked the post. Caleb Dennis was quickest to react, looping a follow up shot into the net to restore Barking’s lead at 2-1.

The second goal visibly deflated Frenford and their attacking threat began to wane. Barking took full advantage and secured the points in the 80th minute. Balliu chased down another Stacey through ball into the box and was fouled by Reynolds, earning a penalty. Fahad Nyanja stepped up confidently and smashed the spot kick into the top right corner to make it 3-1. 

With a two-goal cushion, Barking comfortably saw out the remaining minutes as Frenford struggled to mount any meaningful attacks. Victory lifting the Blues back into sixth place in the league.

On Saturday we return to the Lawtech Stadium for a tough fixture as we take on third place Takeley FC who have already beaten us twice this season, but in their last outing also at our home ground were beaten 3-1 by Romford.

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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