STATISTICS
Date: Tuesday 30th July 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 102
Starters: Max Spence, Teddy Stacey, Jay Bacon, Sam Edwards, Ryan Cosson (C), Chris John, Andy Greenslade, Jerold Cobblah, Juwon Akintunde, Marcel McDonald, Izzy Bademosi
Substitutes: Teddy Bowden, Charlie Thomson, Steven Wade, Miles Smith, Kye Mitchell
Substitutions:
78′ Smith for Cosson
81′ Mitchell for Cobblah
Goals:
George Okoye (Stanway) 12′ 0-1
Bademosi 89′ 1-1
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None
REPORT
IZZY GAINS A POINT
Barking continued their unbeaten league which was carried over from last season to eleven games by rescuing a deserved point against a resurgent Stanway as a late Izzy Bademosi goal resulted in a 1-1 draw.
Stanway started the game stronger, and it took ten minutes for the first chance of note as a far post corner was just headed over the bar. Stanway did have the lead two minutes later thanks to former Blue George Okoye – Stanway won the ball from a Barking corner and Okoye broke the line of the remaining defenders before rounding Max Spence and tapping into the net to give the away side the lead. Jerold Cobblah went close shortly after as Barking attempted to reply but his powerful effort was straight at Robinson. Andy Greenslade put an effort over the bar after 25 minutes and then turned provider as his cross was met by Juwon Akintunde but his deft diving header across goal was just wide of the post.
Marcel McDonald saw an effort just creep wide in first half stoppage time but it was Stanway who had the final chance of the first half as a cross was met unmarked in the box and the flicked header seemed destined for the net but Spence was equal to it with a strong hand.
Barking’s penchant for clearing the bar continued early in the second half as Akintunde found himself at the penalty spot with the ball thanks to Greenslade but the bouncing ball just stuck under his foot and he struggled to keep the shot down. Stanway were still dangerous thanks to a succession of long throws and direct counter attacking – in fact it was the 70th minute before the next chance of note which fell to Stanway with Spence being equal to a long range effort. Despite plenty of possession for the Blues it was Stanway with the next chance of note five minutes later as another effort from just outside the box whistled over the bar. Barking seemed to be the big bad wolf attempting to blow the brick house down but with injury time imminent a blocked free kick came back to Sam Edwards – his cross was headed back across goal by Jay Bacon – with Blues players rushing in Robinson did well to clear the immediate danger with a slide tackle but it fell to the feet of Izzy Bademosi on the edge of the box who volleyed the bouncing ball back into the ground and everyone could only watch on as it skidded into the net for an equaliser that was deserved over the course of the match.
There was still time for a final chance in stoppage time for Stanway as a free kick was headed down by again they were denied by a fine save and smother by Spence.
We are back on the road this coming Saturday as we travel to Hertfordshire to take on Tring Athletic in the extra preliminary round of the world’s oldest cup competition: the FA Cup.
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.
MATCH PROGRAMME
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