STATISTICS

Date: Tuesday 26th March 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Chadfields
Attendance: 130
Starters: Max Spence, Brad Rowland, Joe Clark, Karl Kayembe, Pat Ahern, Michael Aziaya, Jack Dickinson, Jack Folan, Luke Hirst, Kenedi Dariri (C), Shaye La-Rose
Substitutes: Bleron Ademi, Sam Dowridge, Warren Kayembe, Izzy Bademosi, Junior Kaffo
Substitutions:
HT Bademosi for Kayembe (K)
56′ Kaffo for Dickinson
56′ Dowridge for Rowland
89′ Kayembe (W) for Folan
Goals:
Shea Hutchinson (Tilbury) 22′ 0-1
Hirst 52′ 1-1
Yellow cards: Ahern, Rowland
Red cards: None

REPORT

BARKING REFUSE TO BE WASHED AWAY

Barking and league leaders Tilbury braved the relentless rain in a hard earned draw. The match played in challenging conditions, with both teams fighting for control amidst the continual pouring rain..

The game began with Barking showing early promise, after two minutes Luke Hirst set up Kenedi Dariri for a chance, only for his shot to be directed straight at Tilbury (and former Barking) goalkeeper Harry Girling. 

However, it was Tilbury who struck first on 22nd minutes, capitalising on a defensive slip by Joe Clark and Shea Hutchison seized the opportunity to score, leaving Barking goalkeeper Max Spence stranded and finishing into an unguarded net. It should be noted this was only the fifth league goal conceded by the Blues in 2024. The goal seemed to deflate Barking momentarily, allowing Tilbury to maintain control and dictate the tempo of the game for the remainder of the first half. Despite their efforts, Barking struggled to regain their footing in the match and were content to hear the halftime whistle, hoping to regroup and mount a comeback in the second half.

The start of the second half mirrored the first, with Tilbury threatening early on, but Barking gradually clawed their way back into the game. On 52 minutes, Jack Folan played a decisive through ball to Luke Hirst, who outpaced the last defender and fired home the equaliser from an acute angle for his 20th goal of the season.

As the game wore on, both teams grappled with the challenging conditions, with the ball skidding across the waterlogged pitch and getting stuck in puddles from short passes. Tilbury continued to press forward, earning a number of set pieces, but Barking’s defence, with some excellent clearances from Clark and Pat Ahern, held firm to keep the score level. Other defensive highlights were Junior Kaffo making a superb defensive header from one corner and from another Max Spence getting down well to smother the ball and snuff out the danger from another. In the closing stages of the game, both teams pushed for a winner, on 81 a clever pass from Sam Dowridge freed Izzy Bademosi but Girling denied him by getting to the ball first. There was a late penalty shout for handball from Barking but the referee remained unmoved, ultimately both teams settled for a point and the game concluded as it began in pouring rain.

On Saturday we play our penultimate home game in the league as Frenford are the visitors with a 3pm kick.

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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