STATISTICS

Date: Monday 28th August 2023
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 79
Starters: Harry Girling, Kenedi Dariri, Dan Okah, Henry Mabassa, Aundre Spencer, Jack Dickinson, Fahad Nyanja, Brad Rowland, Harvey Brown (C), George Okoye, Chris Adu-Gyamfi
Substitutes: Godwin Fuma, Kai Haysman, Tom Troubridge, Matt Cambridge, David Owiredu
Substitutions:
72′ Haysman for Adu-Gyamfi
81′ Fuma for Okoye
82′ Troubridge for Rowland
87′ Owiredu for Dickinson
Goals:
Carvell (Sporting Bengal) 43′ 0-1
Carvell (Sporting Bengal) 75′ 0-2
Artmeladze (Sporting Bengal) 76′ 0-3
Spencer Penalty 90+9′ 1-3
Yellow cards: Okah
Red cards: Okah

REPORT

BENGAL BANISH BARKING 

Barking’s attempt to bounce back from their FA Vase exit at the hands of Potton United was met with disappointment, but instead suffered a third consecutive defeat, this time at the hands of Sporting Bengal United by a 3-1 score line and no doubt will feel they should have scored more goals.

Despite the score line Barking did find a couple of small positives amidst the gloom. Aundre Spencer’s penalty converted with the final kick of the game provided scant consolation, while the debut of academy player Godwin Fuma as a substitute marked another positive, considering he has only recently turned 16.

The early moments of the match provided a glimpse of Sporting Bengal United’s attacking threat. In the third minute an unmarked player managed to beat Barking’s goalkeeper Harry Girling but was denied by the post with the rebound bouncing back to the grateful arms of the Barking custodian. Barking struggled to generate concrete chances early on and were left with only half-chances that failed to trouble the opposition. In the 15th minute, Bengal had an opportunity from a right-sided cross, but a well-timed double block thwarted their efforts. George Okoye responded for Barking with some skilful footwork to create space, but his resulting shot sailed over the crossbar. Barking’s closest chance came in the 32nd minute when Chris Adu-Gamfyi’s close-range header from Brad Rowland’s cross was acrobatically saved by Bengal goalkeeper Sidi Haidara, followed by a clearance near the goal line. 

Just minutes before half-time, a costly mistake from Barking during their own corner led to a counter-attack by Bengal.and Steven Carvell capitalised on the chance and ran the length of the pitch to beat the exposed Girling and open the scoring. The visitors nearly doubled their lead in added time, but a crucial clearance by Aundre Spencer denied former Barking player Sheri Artmeladze’s shot from finding the back of the net.

The second half offered little in terms of attacking action for either team. Barking’s first opportunity came in the 52nd minute as a corner from Harvey Brown was headed over by Henry Mabassa. On the hour mark Barking crafted their best move of the half so far with Aundre Spencer delivering an excellent cross only for Adu-Gamfyi’s header to go wide. Barking’s struggles escalated in the 74th minute when Dan Okah was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Artmeladze. The ensuing free-kick resulted in Carvell’s low shot bypassing the wall and Girling to double Bengal’s lead to 2-0 in the 75th minute. The disarray in Barking’s defence was exploited by Artmeladze just a minute later as he added Bengal’s third goal. Despite playing with ten men, Barking fought on but they struggled to make any impact on the scoreboard. Eight minutes from time Artmeladze came close to adding to his tally when he beat Girling to the ball, but his effort went wide with the goal gaping. Barking’s late efforts were rewarded in the 99th minute when a fatigued challenge on David Owiredu in the box led to a penalty which was duly converted by Aundre Spencer for a very late consolation goal.

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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