STATISTICS

Date: Tuesday 12th March 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Errington Challenge Cup Second Round
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 67
Starters: Max Spence, Kenedi Dariri (C), Shaye La-Rose, Karl Kayembe, Michael Aziaya, Joe Clark, Jack Dickinson, Sam Dowridge, Luke Hirst, Warren Kayembe, Izzy Bademosi
Substitutes: Declan Nche, Greg Akpele, Charlie Thomson, Oumar Ndao, Nelly Mallek
Substitutions:
67′ Akpele for Kayembe (W)
67′ Nche for Hirst
87′ Mallek for Bademosi
90′ Thomson for La-Rose
90′ Ndao for Kayembe (K)
Goals:
Bademosi 36′ 1-0
Dariri 49′ 2-0
Yellow cards: None
Red cards: None

REPORT

BARKING OVERCOME TILBURY IN CHALLENGE CUP VICTORY

Barking kept alive their hopes of retaining the Errington Challenge cup by inflicting a rare defeat on runaway league leaders Tilbury. A goal in each half, a general sound defensive display and with Tilbury’s task being made all that bit harder when Jack McQueen saw red in the 64th minute.

There were a number of changes with players absent through injury, suspension and unavailability with three Under 23 players on the bench: Oumar Ndao, Charlie Thomson and Nelly Mallek all of whom made second half appearances and we welcomed Michael Aziaya who helped shore up our defensive line.

Both sides exhibited early intent, with Tilbury’s fluid ball movement highlighted why they are at the top of the league. Nevertheless, Barking maintained their defensive shape and refused to be unsettled. In the 11th minute, Barking showed promise from a free-kick, but Warren Kayembe couldn’t find the target. Despite a couple more attempts from Barking, the score remained level. In the 22nd minute, Warren Kayembe capitalised on slack defending to unleash a shot, but it sailed wide. Tilbury mounted a threatening attack down our left on 32, the resulting shot from Roman Campbell was turned round the post by Max Spence for a corner. Four minutes later Barking broke the deadlock: Sam Dowridge found Izzy Bademosi in the box, who made no mistake in firing past Tilbury’s keeper Christian North, who despite getting part of his body to the ball could not prevent it entering the net. 

After that both sides tried to push on but really neither team threatened either keeper.

Entering the second half with a one-goal advantage, Barking continued to press forward. In the 49th minute, Warren Kayembe won the ball and set up Kenedi Dariri, who cut inside and unleashed a thunderous shot that left North helpless and extended Barking’s lead to 2-0. 

Despite further attempts from both sides, notably on 58 when Luke Hirst won the ball and sets up Bademosi, who has a shot but cannot get enough power on his effort and North easily gathers it in. With 26 minutes left former Blue Jack McQueen loses his head and raises his hands following an incident with Joe Clark, he is given a straight red card leaving Tilbury with ten men and making their task so much more difficult. Following the dismissal Barking were content to sit back and absorb any pressure from Tilbury, while looking to break forward whenever possible. But despite some shots and corners they were unable to create any significant scoring opportunities, until the third minute of added time when sub Nelly Mallek breaks forward and slips the ball to Jack Dickinson whose shot is turned behind by North for a corner. But that was the last real scoring opportunity and it is now onto the quarter finals where we will be away to either FC Clacton or Saffron Walden Town.

Speaking of Saffron Walden Town we return to the league programme on Saturday and they are the visitors to the Lawtech Stadium with a 3pm kick off.

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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