STATISTICS

Date: Tuesday 24th September 2024
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Errington Challenge Cup Preliminary Round
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 53
Starters: Bradley Monks, Steven Wade, Colin Mugoya-Tabingwa, Joshua Jackson, Deivi Kreka, Charlie Thomson (C), Bradley McDonald, Andre Anderson, Lewis Byrne-Hewitt, Sam Shaban, Jalen Johnson
Substitutes: Chris John, Danny Plumridge-Biggs, George Sykes, Hassan Nalbant, Stephen Stafford
Substitutions:
51′ Nalbant for Byrne-Hewitt
66′ John for Mugoya-Tabingwa
68′ Sykes for Jackson
69′ Stafford for Anderson
Goals:
Byrne-Hewitt 20′ 1-0
Balla Ndao (West Essex) 75′ 1-1
Oumar Ndao (West Essex) 90+4′ 1-2
Yellow cards: McDonald, John, Stafford
Red cards: None

REPORT

THREE IN A WEEK

Barking’s week of cup heartbreak was capped off by a dramatic late 2-1 defeat to West Essex, as Oumar Ndao’s fourth-minute stoppage time goal secured the visitors’ victory. 

This was our third cup exit in seven days, and despite a spirited performance by a much changed side, were undone by a mistake at the end. On the balance of play by having much more of the second half the visitors probably did enough to win.

The Barking starting eleven had ten changes from the previous match, with only Sam Shaban retaining his place from Saturday’s defeat to Takeley.

As expected, Barking took some time to find their rhythm while West Essex enjoyed more possession early on. The first real chance of the game arrived after 15 minutes when Barking keeper Bradley Monks was forced to make a save, turning the ball round the post from Levi Burgin’s shot. Five minutes later, Barking capitalised on their best chance of the half, with Sam Shaban playing a precise pass to Lewis Byrne-Hewitt, who calmly slotted a low shot past West Essex keeper Lewis Edwards to make it 1-0. 

Barking grew in confidence after the goal, moving the ball more fluidly. West Essex had an opportunity to equalise in the 29th minute, but Argest Nela’s effort went wide. Moments later, Barking’s Andre Anderson saw his shot blocked after good work from Jalen Johnson, who refused to give up a lost cause. On 39 Barking lose the ball in midfield and West Essex push forward and have a shot from Darnell Asare-Williams which Monks turns over, Barking themselves quickly turn over the subsequent corner and Bradley McDonald plays in Shaban who shoots but Edwards blocks with his body  As the half neared its conclusion, it was Shaban again who came close to doubling Barking’s lead with a free kick that clipped the top of the bar on its way over. 

The second half started in a similar fashion to the first, with West Essex controlling possession but struggling to create clear chances, with Barking finding it difficult to retain the ball, leading to increased pressure from the visitors. In the 75th minute, West Essex finally found their equaliser. Joel Lamb’s cross into the box was met by Balla Ndao, who had an easy finish to level the score. The equaliser came while West Essex were temporarily down to ten men due to Harry Norman being sin-binned. With the game heading towards penalties, Barking tried to regain the lead. They forced a corner late on, but the ball pinged around the box without a decisive touch from a white shirt. In the second minute of added time, West Essex had a chance to win the game with a free kick from a dangerous position, but Norman’s shot flew over the bar. As the match seemed destined for penalties, West Essex struck the decisive blow in the fourth minute of stoppage time, Monks, who had been very solid on his first start, made a crucial error. Instead of clearing the ball safely, he scuffed it straight to Oumar Ndao, who took full advantage and fired the ball into an empty net, securing the late victory for West Essex.

A cruel end to the game but we will need to refocus our attention back to Essex Senior League action on Saturday afternoon when we welcome league newcomers Benfleet to the Lawtech Stadium. 

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.

Click above to open in a new window

To read/download a digital version of the match programme click on the above image