STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 14th November 2026
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Burroughs Park
Attendance: 87
Starters: Harvey Simson, Philip Hayford, Celeany Filho, Charlie Thomson ©, Jack McQueen, Liam Boxall, Ryan Pickles, Ali Mansaray, Michael Dixon, Shaye La-Rose, Josh Gruby
Substitutes: Mwetsi Matangi, Sonny Dutton, Samson Uwandu, Arion Svarqa, Abdi Ali
Substitutions:
19’ Ali for La-Rose
78’ Uwandu for Dixon
84’ Matangi for Hayford
Goals:
Gruby 90’+4 1-0

REPORT

GRUBY GRABS A LATE WINNER AT GREAT WAKERING

Barking left it extremely late but made it three wins in a row in all competitions thanks to an injury time goal from Josh Gruby but again Barking’s defensive solidity was on show as they made it 8 games with just 3 goals conceded.

A low quality first thirty minutes saw just the one chance for the home side who failed to scramble home a corner but were given a gilt-edged chance after 31 minutes as the Yellows central defenders were unusually poor on the ball and Rovers Shaun Gittleson swooped in on goal but saw his low effort excellently saved by Harvey Simson who spread himself wide to block.

Wakering again went close five minutes later from a set piece as a flicked on long throw fell to Harry Talbot who skied the ball from twelve yards. Barking’s best chance of the first half came with five minutes remaining as Michael Dixon slipped Ryan Pickles in on goal at a narrow angle who shot low and hard but home keeper George Marsh was equal to it with his strong hands leading to a clearance which Abdi Ali blocked but the ball went wide of the goal.

The second half was more equal with Barking having most of the possession but the first chance fell to Wakering ten minutes in as they countered a Yellows set piece – a cross from the right wing to the far post was twice put back across goal before being cleared off the line by the Barking defence. From that moment Barking gained more of a foothold and had another good chance ten minutes later as a cross by Josh Gruby was bought down by Dixon in the box and his scrambled effort looked to be creeping into the corner before Marsh again did well to get down and claw the ball away.

The game became open and stretched as both sides felt they would get the one chance to take the points but Barking’s brick wall stood firm and were rewarded in injury time as Ryan Pickles latched onto a long ball before driving into the right wing of the box and cutting back to Josh Gruby who bundled the ball home from the edge of the six yard box leading to big celebrations.

There were thirty seconds left for a final Wakering corner but it came to nothing as Barking secured three points and their third consecutive clean sheet and win.

We start a run of three consecutive home matches as we welcome Harwich & Parkeston to Mayesbrook Park on Tuesday evening with a 7:45pm kick-off.

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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