February 2009

Our heartfelt congratulations go out to Blues supporters Ashley and Laura Hanson on the birth of their twin girls Daisy May and Lily May on February 18th.For the record Daisy May arrived first at 11:03 weighing 5lb 3oz and Lily May at 11:05 weighing 5lb 8oz

Both Mother and daughters are doing fine.

Photo by Ashley Hanson

Due to Sawbridgeworth's involvement in the Essex Senior League cup semi-finals, our away league fixture on February 28th has been moved to Tuesday March 2nd kick off 7:45pm. To fill this void a friendly has been arranged against a Dagenham & Redbridge XI, kick off 12 noon at Mayesbrook Park.

The Daggers side will consist of academy and other players will be managed by former Thurrock midfielder Robbie Garvey and our former Secretary Anthony Mercer now performs a similar role for the red side of the borough for the Dagenham academy side.

15/02/09 Under 16's (0) 1  Enfield Town (0) 0

Barking continued their good run with a third win in a row and also four clean sheets in a row reports Manager Stuart Cook. Enfield started the brighter and keeper Scott Griffiths made two early saves, The Under 16’s upped their game but Danny Ford and Carl Morris were denied by the visiting keeper.

In the second half Barking carried on as they finished the first - on top and playing some good football on a poor playing surface. Sam Bradley had three chances to score but it was Daniel GILLARD who saw his shot saved by the Enfield keeper, but got up to slot home the rebound to give Barking a deserved victory. Sam Bradley was named Man Of the Match 

Next Sunday the Under 16's are away to Chelmsford City in the previously postponed Alliance Cup tie.

Manager Steve Munday has been active in the signing department again and we welcome Peter Moore, a defender, who has joined us from Ilford.

Sam Dennis, who twisted a knee against Mauritius Sports, is doubtful for Tuesday and will be suspended for one game versus Enfield 1893 on Saturday.  Craig Leader is also out following a injury sustained in the abandoned Brimsdown Rovers game.

Perhaps a place in the third round of the Essex Thameside Trophy is not everybody’s idea of paradise but, having grown up with rock ‘n ‘roll music, I wanted to find an appropriate song for a headline and opted for Tony Orlando’s classic as a change from all the well worn snow jokes – and yes I do know how to spell paradise but ice seems more appropriate. There was certainly enough enthusiasm from all the players of both sides in the first, and only, half to indicate that victory and a third round place was as important to them as it is to supporters who would love to win the magnificent silver trophy again. Sadly the game was brought to an unsatisfactory end, apparently because one of the referee’s assistants complained of being unable to see the lines although our management team’s offer to sweep any snow from them was apparently not accepted. As the pitch did not seem to be dangerous the decision to abandon the game might be thought by some people to be perhaps a little premature although it might have been difficult to finish the game in the continuing snow. While our disappointed players trudged off disconsolately the relieved and reprieved Brimsdown players rushed from the pitch laughing and jubilant, as if they had won the match. Despite their excellent contribution to an exciting and entertaining first half they did not appear to be disappointed by the early finish. This was our fourth meeting with Rovers and honours are even so far with a win each and a draw although we won the kicks from the penalty mark following the draw. Brimsdown are the holders, having beaten Canvey Island in last season’s final and coincidentally we last won the trophy in 1996-97 when we also beat Canvey island in a marathon 22 kick decider from the penalty mark. One of our successful marksmen that day was our manager Steve Munday. We have appeared in nine finals, winning four. This “victory” continued the successful run by our current management team with 3.5 wins and a draw in 6.5 matches although of course the half match will not count.

Bobby PRIEST, recently signed from intermediate football, made an impressive debut and scored in his fourth minute of senior football but unfortunately this will not count either. His goal came when he ran onto a good through ball from Shamraz Darr and fired it past Mark Virgo in the Brimsdown goal. Rovers responded positively and Scott Borthwick cleared well. Rob Teppit equalised after 13 minutes when he tapped it home from close range. Johnny Oli intercepted well, followed by excellent work by Priest and a good ball by Borthwick which Virgo reached just before Oli. In the 30th minute Teppit put Rovers ahead with a fine shot which gave Mark Parker no chance but three minutes later we drew level when Scott BORTHWICK seized upon Abe Adejokun’s pass to score his second in two games and his second for us. Parker made a good diving save and Richard Whiteman tried a long range chip, having spotted Virgo off his line and then Virgo saved well from a good Darr shot. Oli embarked on an excellent run, beating several defenders before being fouled near the edge of the penalty area and justice was done when Abraham ADEJOKUN fired home when Joe Tungate’s free kick was helped on by Priest. This was his second goal for the club. Brimsdown’s Bryan Dear sent a good shot just over our bar in what proved to be the final minutes of the match.   

Starting XI: Mark Parker, Craig Leader, Johnny Oli, Scott Borthwick, Bradley Wiggington, James Falaise, Abraham Adejokun, Joe Tungate, Richard Whiteman, Bobby Priest, Shamraz Darr.

Substitutes: Lee Pyne, Jared Small, Mark Doyle, Danny Hopkins, Matthew Knight

Report by Derek Pedder

01/02/09 Under 16's (1) 2  Potters Bar (0) 0

Barking got revenge for a 3-2 defeat in December against Potters Bar with this comfortable victory. Barking started brightly Sam Bradley going close twice but had to wait until the stroke of half time when Daniel GILLARD scored to give Barking the lead they deserved.

It was the same in the second half with Barking on top and a Danny FORD goal made the game safe and gave us victory against a team who had only lost once all season Carl Morris was man of match for his display at left back. We are now third in the London Under 16 Division of the Eastern Junior Alliance.

On Sunday we are away to Chelmsford City in the Alliance Cup

Report by Stuart Cook

We are happy to welcome back from Burnham Ramblers Dean Clark who has returned to assist with coaching.

We are also happy to welcome back out former youth and first team goalkeeper Mark Parker who played in our 3-0 defeat of Clapton on Saturday. Lee Pyne received a hard kick on the lower leg against Clapton and his fitness for this week’s game is yet to be determined and Matt Malton is still recovering from injury.