STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 19th April 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 154
Starters: Dan Purdue, Fahad Nyanja, Caleb Dennis, Alfie Attrill, Pat Ahern ©, Lorenzo Saponara, Akiljo Balliu, Teddy Stacey, Hassan Nalbant, Sam Shaban, Tyrese Sibanda
Substitutes: Charlie Thomson, Juwon Akintunde, Fionn Murphy, Michele Maccari, Alamin Kosoko
Substitutions:
66’ Thomson for Sibanda
66’ Murphy for Saponara
73’ Akintunde for Nyanja
73’ Maccari for Nalbant
86’ Kosoko for Attrill
Goals:
Shaban 9′ 1-0
Max Gnandi (Great Wakering) 34′ 1-1
Jack Dickinson (Great Wakering) 45′ 1-2
Kingdom Dawson (Great Wakering) 63′ 1-3
Maccari 77′ 2-3
Yellow cards: Saponara, Nalbant
Red cards: None

REPORT

ROVERS ROLL OVER BARKING

Barking were beaten by the odd goal in five for the second game running against fellow playoff hopefuls Great Wakering Rovers. The Blues took an early lead through Sam Shaban but Wakering scored three without reply and Michele Maccari gave the Blues late hope.

Barking had the lead after nine minutes as Harrison Topliss failed to deal with a long ball, Hassan Nalbant nipped in and unselfishly slid the ball across for Sam Shaban who tapped the ball home for the early Barking lead.

Wakering were the better team without particularly testing Dan Purdue but had a deserved equaliser after 35 minutes as Max Gnabdi broke past the Barking defenders and then slotted the ball home low, under Purdue. 

Akilijo Balliu forced George Martin in the Rovers goal to save low down to his left but Wakering got their second just before halftime: Jamie White’s curling free kick found former Blue Jack Dickinson near the penalty spot and his poked volley found the net.

The second half sprung into life after fifteen minutes, as Barking wanted a penalty of their own for handball but were turned down, the arm was relatively close to the body but at the same time had made a movement towards the ball so Barking will feel aggrieved to not have got that decision. The lack of decision was compounded a few minutes later as Kingdom Dawson nipped in past Fahad Nyanja and his excellent outside of the foot shot found the bottom left corner of the net to double their advantage. With twenty minutes to go however the game perked up as James White was sent off for two yellows in a matter of 90 seconds. With 77 minutes on the clock substitute Michele Maccari halved the deficit as his shot from the edge of the box evaded the dive of Martin. 

Barking kept up the pressure and looked dangerous from set pieces, including a late deflected chance for Pat Ahern that just looped over the bar and even keeper Purdue coming up for a deep in added time corner, but Wakering took the three points that means they are fourth for the time being.

Next Saturday we conclude our league campaign with a trip to Ashton’s to take on Woodford Town with a 3pm 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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