STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 16th November 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Burroughs Park
Attendance: 135
Starters: Dan Purdue, Fahad Nyanja, Jay Bacon, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Henry Mabassa, Deivi Kreka, Teddy Stacey, Juwon Akintunde, Izzy Bademosi, Micah Jackson
Substitutes: Sam Shaban, Akiljo Balliu, Andre Anderson, Omar Eisa
Substitutions:
37’ Balliu for Bacon
63’ Shaban for Bademosi
81’ Anderson for Jackson
Goals:
Ahern 20’ 1-0
Akintunde 84’ 2-0
Yellow cards: Stacey, Mabassa
Red cards: None

REPORT

PURDUE THE PENALTY KING

Barking delivered another masterclass in resolute and strong defending as they took all three points from Burroughs Park thanks to goals from Pat Ahern and Juwon Akintunde, alongside another pivotal penalty save from Dan Purdue.

Barking were battening down the hatches from early on, with Wakering wondering how they didn’t take an early lead after two minutes, with the ball being squared across goal and then scrambled away from inside the six yard box. The Wakering pressure continued and they had the ball in the net after ten minutes after a good save from Dan Purdue fell at the feet of an attacker but the flag was up for offside. Sam Edwards had Barking’s first chance on target after 16 minutes as he stung the palms of George Martin in the Wakering goal with a long-range half volley. Barking went even closer moments later as Juwon Akintunde’s diving header from Jackson’s cross looked destined for the goal except for the knee of Martin who managed to deflect it away. Barking did have the lead after 20 minutes, which came with its own controversy. The Yellows were awarded a free kick on the left wing of the box, but it should be said it seemed to be a clean tackle for everyone else in the ground. Wakering seemed distracted by their fury as Pat Ahern snuck his foot in front of a defender from a low cross by Edwards and his effort looped over Martin who couldn’t get around Akintunde standing his ground in front of him. 

Despite the Wakering pressure it was Barking who forced the next save from a goalkeeper, with Izzy Bademosi bundling a defender over as he attempted to shield the ball out of play, Izzy cut inside the box but he got too close to Martin who managed to smother his effort away from goal. Wakering continued to get into dangerous positions but Barking’s defensive line stayed strong, with a degree of bending without breaking. Jay Bacon’s game came to an end on 37 minutes after a brave clearance in front of goal, and he was replaced by the debuting Akilijo Balliu at left wing back. Wakering should have had a deserved equaliser from an excellent move just before half time, as the Yellows were picked apart down the left wing, but the squared ball was met in the middle by an attacker whom it just seemed to hit rather than shoot and the ball dribbled towards goal before being frantically scrambled away.

The Wakering pressure continued after the restart: a close range header from a corner comfortably cleared the bar with five minutes of the second half gone. Wakering’s best chance came with half an hour remaining, they countered from a rare Barking attack with Dominic Locke driving forward from his own half and his run was rewarded as the attack continued as former Blue Brad Rowland was bundled down in the box. It was deja vu for Barking’s fans however, as Harry Brown stepped up and hit the ball low and hard to the bottom left corner but again Dan Purdue dived the right way and got a strong hand to it to deny another team from the penalty spot. The save galvanised Barking who kept Rovers totally at bay as they continued to come forward until the 83rd minute when a bit of heading pinball resulted from a Rovers corner, Purdue attempted to collect but a slight deflection meant the ball just evaded him, the ball scrambled around before falling to a Rovers attacker but he cleared the bar from close range. Barking had threatened on the counter and moments after the miss they doubled their lead,  they won the ball from Wakering’s other former Blue Shaye La-Rose and found Sam Shaban, his through ball to Juwon Akintunde was perfect as was the timing of Juwon’s run, he ran through on goal and despite the pressure of two defenders he rounded Martin and drove the ball home. 

Sam Shaban nearly had his own goal in injury time as he broke through on goal but his effort was saved by the feet of Martin. There was still time for Purdue to underline his MOTM performance as Rovers were awarded a late free kick on the edge of the box. The resultant effort was curled around the wall on Dan’s near side and seemed destined for the corner only to be palmed away by his diving effort. That was the last chance of note in a lengthy injury time but again it was Barking who secured the points against a playoff rival. 

We do have a midweek game this week when on Wednesday evening we travel to Cricklefields to take on Ilford FC. 

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.

Click above to open in a new window