STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 1st March 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League 
Venue: Lower Road
Attendance: 142
Starters: Dan Purdue, Henry Mabassa, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Lorenzo Saponara, Akiljo Balliu, Teddy Stacey, Juwon Akintunde, Hassan Nalbant, Ugonna Emenike
Substitutes: Tony Martin, Sam Shaban, Fionn Murphy, Tyrese Sibanda, Jerold Cobblah
Substitutions:
62’ Cobblah for Balliu
79’ Murphy for Emenike
79’ Shaban for Nalbant
79’ Sibanda for Edwards
88’ Martin for Akintunde
Goals:
Akintunde 56’ 1-0
Edwards 69’ 2-0
Akintunde 78’ 3-0
Piers Hatcliff (Hullbridge) 86′ 3-1
Martin 90+1’ 4-1
Yellow cards: Dennis, Stacey, Mabassa
Red cards: None

REPORT

BARKING HAVE A FOURSOME SECOND HALF

Barking continued their winning run with a 4-1 victory at Hullbridge Sports, their third league win in a row at the venue, keeping us firmly in fourth place. 

The visitors, missing Fahad Nyanja and Alfie Attrill through injury, were far more effective in the second half, with Juwon Akintunde netting two goals to take his season tally to 22 across league and cup, a stunning free kick from Sam Edwards – his fourth goal in as many games and a late impact from substitute Tony Martin, who added a fourth goal to put the seal on the win.

The first 45 minutes were relatively uneventful despite a quick start from both sides. Early on, a free kick from Hullbridge led to a rapid Barking counter, with Hassan Nalbant attempting an ambitious lob that went wide. The game struggled to settle into a rhythm and in the 34th minute, a corner recycled back into the box saw Henry Mabassa head the ball into the net, only for the offside flag to intervene.

The closest legitimate chance came in the 43rd minute when Sam Edwards’ free kick forced a fine save from Hullbridge keeper Laurence Whymark, for a warning for what was to come later on.

With the scoreline still level at half-time and results going Barking’s way elsewhere, the visitors knew they needed to break the deadlock. However, After two minutes played it’s the home side’s turn to be denied a goal by an offside flag and the Barking supporters breathed a sigh of relief. The nerve settling breakthrough came in the 56th minute when Nalbant turned a lost cause into a goal, by  winning possession and crossing the ball into the box. Juwon Akintunde, extending his leg, guided the ball home to give Barking the lead.

Shortly after, substitute Jerold Cobblah nearly doubled the advantage as his shot beat Whymark and the bar. The pressure continued to mount on Hullbridge, and in the 69th minute, a foul on Cobblah awarded Sam Edwards a free kick opportunity. Edwards, a player  in fine form, curled the ball into the far corner of the net, doubling the advantage to 2-0.

Then in the 78th minute, an Edwards corner was cleared and was returned by Ugo Emenike, only for the ball to fall back to Edwards. His subsequent cross was met by a Nalbant header that hit the post with Whymark struggling, Juwon Akintunde capitalised with an angled finish to put Barking 3-0 up.

Hullbridge did pull a goal back in the 86th minute. Despite a good save from Dan Purdue from a Jake Williams shot, the rebound fell to Piers Hatcliff, who slotted home to reduce the deficit. However, any hopes of a late comeback by the home side were quashed three minutes later. Coming off the bench in the 88th minute, Tony Martin made an immediate impact by linking up with Sam Shaban. Shaban’s cross found Tony Martin, who calmly finished to make it 4-1 and secure the three points.

Our next challenge is away at Benfleet this coming Tuesday evening. However please check our social media accounts for updates regarding the game.

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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