STATISTICS

Date: Wednesday 2nd August 2023
Kick-off: 7:45pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Burroughs Park
Attendance: 91
Starters: Harry Girling, Caiden Imbert-Thomas, Henry Mabassa, Tom Troubridge, Kenedi Dariri, Aundre Spencer, Harvey Brown (C), Brad Rowland, Fahad Nynja, Christian Adu-Gyamfi, Martin Tuohy
Substitutes: Kai Haysman, Matthew Cambridge, Isioma Richard, Cairan Burke, David Owiredu
Substitutions:
HT Haysman for Troubridge
60′ Richard for Imbert-Thomas
69′ Owiredu for Adu-Gyamfi
Yellow cards: Nynja, Spencer
Red cards: Spencer (Yellow X2)

REPORT

BARKING FIRE A BLANK AT ENSIGN

This game at White Ensign marked our first away trip of the season, looking back at last season’s games we emerged victorious on both occasions with an impressive aggregate score of 8-2, yet despite hitting the post twice in the second half we could not find the net against a Ensign side who looked much improved from last term. 

We made two changes to the starting line up from Saturday with Chris Adu-Gyamfi and Caiden Imbert-Thomas replacing Gabriel Oloko and Kai Haysman.

The match kicked off with a flurry of activity and in the opening minute White Ensign had an early chance, but their shot sailed wide of the mark,.Barking quickly responded, with Chris Adu-Gyamfi firing in a shot that took a deflection, resulting in a corner. At that time the momentum seemed to be on the Ensign’s side as their well-placed balls over our defence were causing significant problems for the Barking defenders. After eight minutes Martin Tuohy’s determined chase for the ball put pressure on Ensign’s goalkeeper, Harry Fairs, who mis-kicked the ball. Tuohy managed to deliver a cross, but Adu-Gyamfi found himself in the net with a defender rather than connecting with the ball.

As the game settled, Barking intensified their pressure on the home goal but the tide soon turned as a momentary lapse saw Harry Girling, Barking’s goalkeeper, handling a back pass in the box. The resulting free kick was blocked, and the subsequent goal-bound effort was cleared by the vigilant Kenedi Dariri.In the 38th minute it was Barking’s turn to have an opportunity from a free kick, but Henry Mabassa’s header narrowly missed the target, hitting the side netting instead. As half-time approached, White Ensign made a determined push, managing to break through Barking’s defence, only for Girling to make a crucial save with his legs.

After several close calls in the first half a change was required and there was a substitution: Kai Haysman replaced Tom Troubridge, prompting a tactical shift in formation.Both teams struggled to create clear-cut chances early in the second half, resorting to unsuccessful attempts from long range. In the 53rd minute, a deflected shot by Brad Rowland hit the post and bounced away, narrowly avoiding the back of the net and resulting in a corner. Adu-Gyamfi showcased his ability to hold the ball up in the area, setting up Fahad Nynja with a chance in the 61st minute, but the resulting shot sailed just over the crossbar. The match settled into a back-and-forth rhythm, with neither team managing to find a cutting edge in the final third. Despite the effort, the lack of clinical finishing remained a challenge and gradually fatigue set in but the pace did not flag..In the 86th minute, a throw-in fell to Tuohy inside the box, and his quick, instinctive shot rattled against the same post that had denied Barking earlier. As the clock ticked into stoppage time, tension escalated. Aundre Spencer received his second yellow card in four minutes for a foul just outside the box, resulting in his dismissal. The ensuing free kick failed to find the target and the match concluded in a 0-0 stalemate.

Despite the draw we are unbeaten in our two opening games and have kept a clean sheet in each match, we temporarily leave the league behind and on Saturday travel to Cockfosters in the preliminary round of the Emirates FA Cup.

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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