STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 19th August 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: FA Cup Preliminary Round 
Venue: Oakside
Attendance: 133
Starters: Max Spence, Miles Smith, Jay Bacon, Sam Edwards, Ryan Cosson (C), Olu Shobowale, James Reynolds, Jerold Cobblah, Juwon Akintunde, Marcel McDonald, Izzy Bademosi
Substitutes: Roman Michael-Percil, Bradley Monks, Teddy Bowden, Nelly Martins, Michael Mignot, Charlie Thomson, Steven Wade
Substitutions:
30′ Michael-Percil for McDonald
57′ Martins for Reynolds
75′ Bowden for Michael-Percil
86′ Mignot for Akintunde
Goal:
Akintunde 39′ 1-0
Yellow cards: Spence, Akintunde
Red cards: None

REPORT

BARKING CAUSE A CUPSET

Barking caused a Cupset as they snuck past Isthmian North and local rivals Redbridge in the FA Cup Preliminary Round. A first half goal from Juwon Akintunde was enough but Barking rode their luck a bit in the second half, including a missed Redbridge penalty.

Our only previous FA Cup meeting against the Motormen was in the same round on August 28th 2010 years ago, won 1-0 by Redbridge at our home ground.

As injuries still cause problems to our squad three players: Olu Shobowale, James Reynolds and Roman Michael-Percil made their Barking debuts, but Marcel McDonald was forced to leave the field with a shoulder injury. 

Barking caused Redbridge plenty of problems early on, and the scene was set in the first minute as a Sam Edwards free kick evaded everyone and crept past the post. Barking should have had the lead after four minutes – Marcel McDonald threaded the ball through putting Izzy Bademosi in on goal but his attempt to beat Connor Wheatley at his near post rather than far didn’t go to plan as Wheatley denied him with his foot. Wheatley denied Barking with his hands at the ten minute mark – Miles Smith drove forward from the right back position and unleashed a piledriver that seemed to be finding the net before Wheatley’s hand palmed the ball onto the crossbar. Redbridge themselves went close moments later – a cross to the far post from the right wing was headed towards goal but Max Spence did well to scoop the ball away from the target. Redbridge were denied again by Spence after 15 minutes – the ball was chipped over debutant defender Olu Shobowale with the striker finding his way to goal but his side footed effort was tipped around the post by Spence. Barking was not deterred and Juwon Akintunde stung Wheatley’s palms with a powerful effort from the D of the box before McDonald saw his effort clear the bar at the 20 minute mark. The game finally calmed down after this but the next chance saw Barking take the lead with half time closing in – Barking saw their free kick cleared but it fell to Smith who swung the ball back into the box where it was brought down by debutant substitute Roman Michael-Percil, he set the ball aside to Juwon Akintunde who had his back to goal but on the turn he shot low and hard past Wheatley and into the bottom corner of the net. 

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Akintunde went close again just before half time as a defender headed a free kick up in the air rather than out but Wheatley was this time equal to his headed effort.

Redbridge started the second half on the front foot with two substitutions and a change in shape, no doubt with some halftime truths stinging in their ears but it took until 57 minutes for the first chance of note as a shot went wide after the forward cut in from the right wing. Barking struggled to keep the ball while defending well and hearts were in mouths as Redbridge had their favourite method of scoring against Barking recently – a free kick from close range but this time Spence was equal to Jack Chawner’s attempt that went back across him as he managed to turn the shot around the post. The best chance so far for Redbridge came with fifteen minutes remaining – a long throw found former Blue James Barlow in the box and he cut the ball back to the penalty spot but the ball skied over the bar. Redbridge kept up the pressure and it felt like deja vu with five minutes to go as the home side were awarded a penalty for handball against Barking from a long throw. Thankfully this time for Barking the outcome was different as the resulting penalty from Charlie Stimson was skied over the bar. 

There was still time for more drama – Redbridge did have the ball in the net moments later but the assistant referee had his flag up for offside. The decision stood after conversations between the referee and his assistant but the decision was too much for Redbridge’s Wyan Reid who was sent off for dissent. With injuries and stoppages there was plenty of added time: Redbridge pushed forward and this left them open at the back with Barking going closest in the final moments as substitutes Nelly Martins and Michael Mignot combined with Martins shooting wide. It didn’t matter in the end however as Barking held firm and progressed into Monday’s draw for the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

We now await Monday’s draw for our next opponents with the tie taking place on August 31st, in the meantime our next match is against FC Baresi in another FA competition the FA Vase next Saturday afternoon at the Lawtech Stadium.

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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