STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 24th February 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 107
Starters: Dan Purdue, Brad Rowland, Kenedi Dariri, Jack Folan, George Forrest, Fahad Nyanja (C), Jack Dickinson, Karl Kayembe, Luke Hirst, Tony Martin, Shaye La-Rose
Substitutes: Bleron Ademi, Michael Toner, Giovanni Palmer, Warren Kayembe, Greg Akpele
Substitutions:
55′ Toner for Kayembe (K)
55′ Palmer for La-Rose
67′ Akpele for Hirst
67′ Kayembe (W) for Martin
73′ Ademi for Folan
Goals:
Martin 12′ 1-0
Hirst 16′ 2-0
Martin 25′ 3-0
Dickinson 74′ 4-0
Ademi 87′ 5-0
Yellow cards: Dariri
Red cards: None

REPORT

16 GOING ON 17 

It was a historic day for Barking as they levelled the clubs unbeaten league and cup run with a confident 5-0 victory over Ilford, a record that was first established back in season 1968/69.

It was 3-0 at half time, with two goals for Tony Martin and one for Luke Hirst. Man of the Match Jack Dickinson and Bleron Ademi rounded out an excellent day late in the second half.

From last weeks starting eleven Dan Purdue took over from Max Spence between the posts. Brad Rowland replaced Bleron Ademi and Jack Dickinson took over Sam Dowridge who was injured.

Martin should have had his first goal just a minute in, Luke Hirst capitalised on a scuffed clearance and cut the ball back to Martin in the box but he skied the shot. Tony Martin made up for the miss after 12 minutes: debutant goalkeeper Dan Purdue launched the ball forward, it pinballed around the Ilford box but eventually fell to Luke Hirst through on goal, his low shot was saved well by Ilford keeper Wilkinson Boateng but the ball fell invitingly at the feet of Martin who had an easy tap-in. 

Barking doubled their lead four minutes later as Hirst and Martin swapped roles – Martin cut the ball back to Luke Hirst from the right wing, the initial shot was blocked but it bounced nicely back to Hirst and his half volley whistled past Boateng at his near post and into the net. 

Barking continued to pressure and ask questions of the Ilford defence and were rewarded with a third with 25 minutes on the clock, Brad Rowland blocked a clearance from Boateng and squared the ball across the box to Tony Martin who had another easy tap-in to an open net for 3-0.

Barking was comfortable for the rest of the first half and into the second half. There were some half chances for George Forrest and Brad Rowland but it was Tony Martin who should have his hattrick with 30 minutes remaining: Jack Dickinson blocked a clearance, drove down the wing, cut into the box and beat two Ilford players on a mazy run before cutting back to Martin on the penalty spot but he lent back slightly as he opened his body up to side foot the ball and his effort cleared the bar. Jack Dickinson got himself on the scoresheet 14 minutes later however as Rowland floated a free kick from the right touchline to the far post where Dickinson rose highest and nodded past Boateng at his near post. 

Substitutes Greg Akpele, Warren Kayembe and Bleron Ademi continued to cause problems for the Ilford defence: Warren saw his powerful effort palmed away before Bleron Ademi scored a wonderful long range shot after 87 minutes, Ademi run onto a pass from Kenedi Dariri and launched a thunderbolt which smacked the inside of the post as it found the net to round off a memorable day for the Blues.

Post match there were two presentations in the clubhouse: Matt Tiller presented Kenedi Dariri a salver to mark his 100th senior appearance which Kenedi reached earlier this month and a copy of Matt’s book about Jack Leslie. Secondly Jonny Fowell and Michael Walther received their January Manager of the Month award from Michelle Dorling of the Essex Senior League.

As we do not have a midweek game we are at home again next Saturday to Romford who are one place above us in the table in third place.

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