STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 30th March 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 68
Starters: Dan Purdue, Brad Rowland, Kenedi Dariri (C), Jack Folan, Michael Aziaya, Fahad Nyanja, Wale Odedoyin, Karl Kayembe, Luke Hirst, Declan Nche, Sam Dowridge 
Substitutes: Bleron Ademi, Joe Clark, Jack Dickinson, Warren Kayembe, Joe Chidyausiku
Substitutions:
HT Chidyausiku for Nche
59′ Dickinson for Odedoyin
64′ Kayembe (W) for Folan
78′ Clark for Kayembe (K)
79′ Ademi for Dowridge
Goals:
Dowridge Penalty 5′ 1-0
Odedoyin 29′ 2-0
Nick Reynolds (Frenford) 89′ 2-1
Yellow cards: Chidyausiku, Purdue
Red cards: None

REPORT

FRENFORD MAKE BARKING FEARFUL

Barking rode their luck but in the end took away another three points to keep their impressive run of form going with a 2-1 victory over Frenford. First half goals from Sam Dowridge and the returning Wale Odedoyin were enough despite a late fightback from Frenford.

The previously mentioned Wale Odedoyin made his first appearance and scored his first Barking goal since November 2015 and we welcomed Joe Chidyausiku who was a second half substitute. Frenford had some ex-Barking players themselves in Tom Troubridge, Kai Haysman, Osa Otote and Georgie Fairhead.

The Blues looked comfortable early on with the ball and were rewarded with a gift after five minutes as Tom Troubridge clearly handled from a Jack Folan corner – Sam Dowridge stepped up to take the penalty and despite the best efforts of Frenford goalkeeper Jimmy Parker the ball nestled in the bottom left corner of the net to give Barking an early lead. 

Wale Odedoyin went close minutes later as he attempted to convert from Brad Rowland’s low cross but his effort bounced wide. Dan Purdue was forced into his only action of the first half after 24 minutes as he did well to punch away a long range shot. The Blues doubled their lead after 29 minutes:  the Frenford defenders and keeper Parker failed to deal with a long ball and it fell gratefully at the feet of Wale Odedoyin who passed the ball into the open net.

The last 15 minutes of the first half passed without much incident and Barking had a chance for their third just after the restart: a counterattack saw Odedoyin drive forward and the ball fell to Luke Hirst but his deflected half volley went just wide of the post. There was one chance for Frenford just before the hour mark but the shot was dragged comfortably wide of the goal. Their task was made harder after 73 minutes – a case of handbags before a throw-in was taken saw a red card for Mohammed Diaby for slapping Karl Kayembe, while cautions were handed out to Barking’s Chidyausiku and Purdue. The reduction to ten men for Frenford handed Barking some openings and they should have had the game out of sight minutes after the dismissal, a cross from Brad Rowland was palmed out to Warren Kayembe who saw his effort cleared off the line before he headed the rebound against the crossbar. Barking was made to sweat in injury time as far too much time was given to Georgie Fairhead and his inch-perfect cross was nodded home by Nick Reynolds. However, the home side managed to squeeze their way through some nervy added minutes for another three points that consolidated their playoff position.

We do not have a midweek fixture and our next match is on Saturday afternoon when we travel to Takeley who are currently one place above today’s opponents Frenford in seventeenth.

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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