STATISTICS

Date: Tuesday 8th August 2023
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League 
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 107
Starters: Harry Girling, Isioma Richard, Tom Troubridge, Kenedi Dariri, Aundre Spencer, Harvey Brown (C), Brad Rowland, Fahad Nynja, Chris Adu-Gyamfi, Martin Tuohy, Kai Haysman
Substitutes: Cairan Burke, Matthew Cambridge, Caiden Imbert-Thomas, David Owiredu, Samraj Gill
Substitutions:
63’Owiredu for Haysman
81′ Cambridge for Brown
84′ Burke for Spencer
Goals:
Tom Salter (Tilbury) 70′ 0-1
Johnny Ashman (Tilbury) 76′ 0-2
Yellow cards: Troubridge, Tuohy, Haysman, Nynja, Girling, Rowland
Red cards: None

REPORT

TILBURY LEAVE BARKING RUEING IN THE RAIN 

The match marked the club’s first meeting since last April, when Charlie MacDonald’s penalty secured a narrow win for Barking but failed to gain a relegation playoff match. This time around, it was the Dockers who reigned supreme, capitalising on their constant pressure and making a splash as torrential rain drenched the second half.

There were five former Barking players who had switched allegiances to Tilbury: Jack Folan, Jack Hayes, Alfie Leach, Johnny Ashman, and Tom Salter. It was, however, the latter two who found the back of the net to seal Tilbury’s victory.

The game burst into life from the opening whistle, with Tilbury showing their intent to dominate proceedings. Early on though, Fahad Nynja managed to wrest control of the ball, launching a rapid counterattack that culminated in a promising shot from Kai Haysman. But, Tilbury’s goalkeeper, Anthony Page, thwarted the attempt with a well-timed smother. Tilbury’s attacking prowess continued to put pressure on Barking’s defence, resulting in several close calls. In the 17th minute, Tilbury celebrated a goal, only for the assistant’s flag to halt their celebrations due to an offside infringement. Two minutes later, a foul committed by Tom Troubridge presented Tilbury with a centrally placed free-kick opportunity. Johnny Ashman stepped up to take the set piece, but Harry Girling in the Barking goal was equal to the effort parrying the ball away. As the first half progressed, Barking managed to establish a foothold in the match: Chris Adu-Gyamfi navigated his way to the byline before delivering a pinpoint cross to Haysman, whose subsequent shot was once again denied by Page. On 26 Ashman breaks away for Tilbury and passes across the box but the subsequent shot is blocked for a corner, seven minutes from the break Haysman passes across field to Martin Tuohy who flicks the ball on to Brad Rowland who shoots but his effort is wide.After five minutes of added time Nynja again wins the ball and frees Adu-Gyamfi but his first time shot flies over. In the end the away side looked the more dangerous but Barking playing on the counter found this provided their best opportunities.

After the break Barking forced some early corners and free kicks that came to nothing as they tried to start on the front foot. Tilbury began to intensify their efforts, constantly pressing forward and on 57 only a last-gasp clearance from Aundre Spencer at the expense of a corner stopped a clear effort on goal.. In the 65th minute, Tilbury should have broken the deadlock when Ashman squandered a golden chance, firing over from a promising position. Moments later, Tom Salter unleashed a shot that soared above the crossbar. Tilbury’s relentless assault eventually bore fruit in the 70th minute:. Salter opened the scoring by curling the ball beyond Girling’s reach and the Dockers’ lead was further solidified six minutes later, courtesy of Ashman’s clinical finish from Brian Moses pass. As the match entered its dying embers, Barking mounted an effort to salvage a consolation goal. A run by Brad Rowland set up a chance for David Owiredu to deliver a cross to Adu-Gyamfi . Unfortunately for Barking, the execution fell just short, and Page collected the ball to preserve his and Tilbury’s clean sheet.

After the final whistle Barking were left to reflect on the match and need to regroup for the challenges that lie ahead – the next challenge being on Saturday at the Lawtech Stadium against Stanway Rovers.

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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