STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 22nd February 2025
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Spa Road
Attendance: 127
Starters: Dan Purdue, Fahad Nyanja, Caleb Dennis, Sam Edwards, Pat Ahern ©, Henry Mabassa, Hassan Nalbant, Alfie Attrill, Juwon Akintunde, Sam Shaban, Fionn Murphy
Substitutes: Tony Martin, Osaretin Otete, Akiljo Balliu, Tyrese Sibanda, Jerold Cobblah
Substitutions:
None
Goals:
Nathaniel Mardell (Stanway Rovers) 12′ 0-1
Nalbant 20’ 1-1
Edwards 41’ 2-1
Nalbant 90+7′ 3-1
Yellow cards: Attrill
Red cards: None

REPORT

THE HASSASSIN SHOOTS DOWN STANWAY

Barking bounced back in style from last week’s frustrating defeat at Buckhurst Hill, to stun league leaders Stanway Rovers with a commanding 3-1 victory on the road. This result ended Stanway’s unbeaten streak which started on July 30th against ourselves.

Hassan Nalbant made a scoring return to the club, marking his first appearance since September 28th with a brace and an assist.

Barking had an early chance in the fifth minute when Nalbant dribbled through the home defence but lost possession at the crucial moment. However, it was the home side that struck first in the 12th minute. A long throw from former Blue Ricky Tarbard found Tom Maycock, who squared for Nathan Mardell to beat Callum Dennnis to the ball and slot it past the returning Dan Purdue. Undeterred, Barking responded swiftly. In the 20th minute, Juwon Akintunde sent a ball forward to Hassan Nalbant, who powered through the Rovers backline and calmly slotted past Stanway keeper Callum Robinson to bring Barking level and in the process score his first Barking goal.

Stanway looked to reclaim control, with George Okoye’s dangerous cross hitting the bar on its way over. However, Barking ended the half on a high. In the 41st minute, a throw-in from Fahad Nyanja was flicked on by Nalbant to Sam Edwards. His initial shot was inadvertently blocked by Sam Shaban, but the ball rebounded to him and he rifled it home to give Barking a 2-1 lead.

The second half began quietly, with neither side creating any clear chances. In the 54th minute, Nalbant was put through on goal, but Robinson denied him using his legs with a smart save. From the resulting throw Stanway countered quickly, only for Caleb Dennis to make a crucial last-ditch tackle inside the Barking box. A key moment arrived in the 64th minute when Stanway were awarded a penalty. Okoye stepped up, but Purdue continued his heroics this season, diving to turn the spot-kick onto the post – his fourth penalty save of the campaign, all coming away from home.

Stanway piled on the pressure with Barking standing firm, but Joe Turpin missed a golden opportunity deep into added time when he somehow put his close-range effort wide of the visiting goal. With seven minutes of stoppage time played, Barking delivered the knockout blow. Hassan Nalbant led a counterattack accompanied by Akintunde, Nalbant made a lung busting run into the box and despite slipping, managed to squeeze his shot over the line, making it 3-1 and three points for Barking.

With a number of games postponed today this win sends us possibly temporarily up to fourth place

Next up we are in London Senior cup action when on Tuesday evening we have a home quarter final tie against Erith Town.

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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