STATISTICS

Date: Saturday 13th January 2024
Kick-off: 3pm
Competition: Essex Senior League
Venue: Lawtech Stadium
Attendance: 79
Starters: Max Spence, Brad Rowland, Kenedi Dariri, Jack Folan, George Forrest, Fahad Nyanja (C), Jack Dickinson,  Sam Dowridge, Luke Hirst, Karl Kayembe, Shaye La-Rose
Substitutes: Anthony Martin, Troy Osei-Bobie, Ross Elsom, Bleron Ademi, Larry Asare-Bediako
Substitutions:
61′ Martin for La-Rose
61′ Osei-Bobie for Dickinson
62′ Elsom for Kayembe
70′ Ademi for Rowland
70′ Asare-Bediako for Dowridge
Goals:
Hirst 26′ 1-0
Hirst 52′ 2-0
Dickinson 57′ 3-0
Martin 84′ 4-0
Martin 86′ 5-0
Martin 90+3′ 6-0
Yellow cards: Dowridge, Rowland
Red cards: None

REPORT

BARKING’S SIXY FOOTBALL IS TOO MUCH FOR ENSIGN

Barking ran out rampant 6-0 winners against White Ensign on a cold afternoon at the Lawtech Stadium with a performance that warmed the bodies of the Barking supporters as they made it eleven unbeaten matches in all competitions. 

Luke Hirst scored Barking’s first two goals either side of half time, with Jack Dickinson making it 3-0 before the hour mark. It was then up to substitute Tony Martin to score a nine minute hat trick to round off a memorable Saturday for the Blues and move up to seventh in the table.

Max Spence who had kept goal for our record breaking FA Youth cup run, started in place of Ben Lane who was out injured, Other new faces were Larry Asare-Bediako and Troy Osei-Bobie who joined on loan from Grays. Both Troy and Larry made their debuts from the bench in the second half.

There were a few early penalty appeals for the Blues after some robust challenges on Luke Hirst but the referee was unmoved. Karl Kayembe went close after 13 minutes as he stole the ball next to the goal from Ensign keeper Harry Fairs but a combination of falling over and the narrow angle led to his close range attempt striking the outside of the post and rebounding to the grateful hands of Fairs. Kayembe threatened to go close again minutes later but Fairs denied him by palming the ball away as he attempted to round him. White Ensign started to grow into the game but they gifted Luke Hirst a gilt-edged chance after 25 minutes as two defenders conspired to block their own clearance leaving the Barking striker through on goal to drive a powerful low effort past Fairs for our 50th league and cup goal of the season.

The Blues had another chance five minutes later: Hirst played Shaye La-Rose down the left wing who cut the ball back towards Hirst and Dickinson but a little hesitation between the two allowed Fairs to get back across and block Dickinson’s effort. At half time the Blues only led by one goal, but after the break it was a much different matter.

Barking managed to double their lead seven minutes into the second half. Sam Dowridge did well before playing La-Rose down the left wing, Ensign failed to clear his powerful cross and it fell to Luke Hirst who punished Ensign again by slotting the ball into the bottom right corner of the net for his twelfth goal in 18 games this season.

It was 3-0 five minutes later, a dinked ball over the top caused issues and Fairs on the edge of his area headed the ball backwards, this time Hirst turned provider as his cross evaded Kayembe but fell to Jack Dickinson who saw his first effort blocked by a defender on the line but his second squeezed under Fairs and into the net. 

The Blues continued to push forward with George Forrest going close on the counter attack soon after but it was a Tony Martin masterclass in finishing for the remainder of the match. With 84 gone Hirst drove forward before cutting back to Ross Elsom who found fellow substitute Tony Martin unmarked in the box who poked the ball home past Fairs for 4-0. 

It was five two minutes later: another substitute was involved as Bleron Ademi’s inviting cross into the box saw Tony Martin jump highest ahead of Fairs to nod the ball home. 

Tony Martin secured a nine-minute hat trick in injury time as he swept the ball home from a powerful Hirst cross for Barking’s sixth and final goal to complete a miserable afternoon for the visitors..

Winter weather permitting we visit the Newham Leisure centre on Wednesday evening to take on Athletic Newham with a 7:45pm kick off.

Report source: Trevor 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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