August 2006

At last night's meeting of the Essex, Herts and Bordering Counties league Clapton were formally expelled due to poor administration. As our league match against Dagenham & Redbridge which was scheduled for Monday August 28th had been postponed and that Romford were due to play Clapton on the following evening, we will now be away to Romford on Tuesday August 29th kick off 7:45pm. On Saturday the Reserves open their league season when they entertain Basildon United with the first team heading to Basildon to play their counterparts.

Also at last nights meeting the draws for the Fred Budden Trophy and Combination cups were made.

Fred Budden Trophy
1st Round we have received a bye
2nd Round Harlow Town at home (date to be arranged)

Combination Cup
1st Round We have received a bye again
2nd Round This time away to Harlow Town (date to be arranged)

There has been a further friendly arranged for next Wednesday (August 23rd) an away trip to May & Bakers of the Essex Business Houses League kick off 6:45pm.

The Reserves completed their pre-season preparations this weekend with a double header where they achieved a win and a draw.

On Saturday they beat Manford Way 2-1 at the Warren school with both goals from Ayo Taiwo and today they drew 1-1 in a hard fought game against Euro Dagenham with the goal from Desmond b following good work from Michael Thompson.

Their next game is this coming Saturday they entertain Basildon United in the first Essex, Herts and Bordering Counties League fixture of the season.  

At Wednesday night's Essex Senior League AGM -  the draw was made for the group stages of the league cup which will be played in September and October;

Should we progress past the group stages then we will not meet a side we have previously encounter in the knockout phase.

The draw for the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy first round was also made and we have again drawn Burnham Ramblers in a games to be played in October at Mayesbrook Park.

Last night's friendly for the Reserves ended in 3-4 at the hands of Mountnessing at Harold Wood park. After a superb opening 30 minutes the Blues were 3-0 up with goals from Michael Thompson (2) and Tommy Mottram, Mountnessing struck back with two goals just before half time to reduce the deficit. Mountnessing were the stronger and more experienced side in the second half and scored another two goals to win the game.

The next friendly is on Saturday against Manford Way kick off 2pm at Warren School, Chadwell Heath.

Barking's Reserves team won their third friendly of the pre-season when they travelled to Harold Wood and scored a comfortable 5-1 victory. Leading 2-1 at half time, the scorers were Lee Wood (2), Richard Ashie, John Offei and Michael Thompson.

The next friendly is Wednesday night with a return visit to Harold Wood to play Mountnessing kick off 6:45pm.

The August fixtures for the Essex, Herts and Bordering Counties Combination have been announced:

19th home to Basildon United
26th away to Great Wakering Rovers
28th away to Dagenham & Redbridge

Nicola Maggs and Nicola Moore returned home this week after a three month stint in Orlando Florida playing football for the Orlando Falcons. They helped the team finish third in the league in their first season as a semi-pro club. It was a brilliant three months for both girls. Nicola Maggs on her first visit to the US said “We really enjoyed ourselves, the football was great, we made many new friends, our football mum was absolutely brilliant, and we visited many attractions as well, top of the list was Sea World.”
Nicola Moore agreed and added “Football in America is slightly different from home, but we really enjoyed the challenge, the house we lived in was in a lovely complex complete with swimming pool and a gym. We had the most brilliant time”
Both girls have already been invited to return again next year
The Ladies are pleased the girls have now returned to join their line up for the coming season. Barking are looking to improve on their fourth position in the Eastern Region League this year. This week Barking Ladies see Stuart Inwood a UEFA B coach arrive for pre season training to get the girls in check for their first league match on 27th August when they visit Woodbridge Town in a repeat of last year’s league opener
The Ladies are still recruiting for players and in particular are looking for a senior goalkeeper and
there are also a few places available for the Junior section. In particular the new under 14 and under 10 teams - any girls/women interested in joining can contact the Ladies Press Officer Debbie Moore.

The London Cup draws have been made.

In the London Senior Cup the first team have a chance to progress to the final without travelling away from Mayesbrook Park. In the first round we entertain Hoddesdon Town on a date to be confirmed. Should we be successful our path would proceed as follows:

Second round - Brimsdown Rovers/Eton Manor
Quarter Final - Wingate & Finchley/Barkingside/Wealdstone/Hendon
Semi Final - AFC Wimbledon/Dulwich Hamlet/ Tooting & Mitcham

In the London Intermediate cup the Reserves will travel to Manford Way in the first round and their path is mapped out as follows:
Second round - Home to Bridon Ropes
Third round - Away to Corinthian Casuals Reserves/ Thamesmead Town/Mauritius Sports Association.

The Club is saddened to learn of the death of former player Jay Sharland which has been reported in the Romford Recorder.  A memorial day will be held at Thurrock FC on Sept 17th to raise funds for his family between Brannigans (Jay's Old Sunday Team) and the London Fire Brigade, for whom Jay worked, with hopefully some celebrities being involved.

Those who saw Jay play will remember a fiery midfielder who made 22 appearances for us. Our sympathies go out to Jay's wife Nancy their twin sons Jake and Louie 3 and daughter Summer 18 months at what must be a difficult time for them.