July 2008

The Essex Senior League fixtures for 2008-09 have been released - as in 2006-07 our first opponents will be Sawbridgeworth Town, but this time we will be at home on Saturday August 9th. We end the season for the third year running with an away game, this time on April 25th 2009 with Hullbridge Sports providing the opposition. Our final home game will as last season be against Stansted on Saturday April 18th.

After drawing their first friendly of the season last Saturday nil all at Frenford on Saturday the Reserves repeated the trick with a 1 -1 draw away to Mountnessing this week. The Barking goal came on 25 mnutes from the penalty through Chas MURRAY. Anthony Ferguson stated afterwards that he and the rest of his management team "took many positives from the game against a very strong Essex Olympian Premier League team. "

Next Saturday the Reserves are away again when they make the trip to Essex Intermediate side Harold Wood with a 3pm kick-off.

TUESDAY JULY 22nd BARKING FC 1 (0) WALTHAM FOREST 1 (0)

Waltham Forest or "The Stags" as they like to be known were held at bay last night by a Barking who put a much improved performance last night, especially in the second half when they could of won the game. As expected a number of Saturday's missing players returned and there were two new faces Chris Mogekwu and Steve Rowles. Rowles was formerly with Ilford and Mogekwu who has just come back from year off football due to concentrate on his studies is on the same course as Desmond Osuwu and are both hoping to become doctors. No doubt should either score we will trot out the jokes about "clinical finishing" and so like. James Hughes who went off injured at half time on Saturday took no part in the match.

As in the first half on Saturday belonged to the visitors with first half keeper Leigham Stone was the busier keeper making some fine saves and the post denying the visitors a half time lead. The best the homesters could manage was a shot by Bradley Williams who again had a fine game, but his effort was smothered by the visiting keeper. After the break and a few changes it was a different story - also, Abraham Adejokun who played for us last season made an appearance for the visitors. The more positive outlook paid off mid-way through the half when a long free kick found captain Jimmy Noakes whose diving header across the box was smartly put away by the lurking Richard WHITEMAN for 1-0. However, the lead did not last very long and a powerful run into the box lead to the equaliser. A Joey Tungate corner was met by the Noakes and his header beat the keeper but not the defender on the line and it was Noakes again who battled for the ball, darted into the box and appeared to be brought down from behind - but the referee thought otherwise. Overall a much improved performace and hopefully somethng to give manager Dave Ross some positives to think about.

Squad: Stone (GK), Mogekwu, Vincent, Gunyon, Kokun, Rolls, Williams, Noakes, Wague, Osuwu, Butterfill (GK), Borthwick, Hugo, Clark, Brooks, Greenwood, Bennett, Tungate, Whiteman

SATURDAY JULY 19th BARKING FC 0 (0) BRENTWOOD TOWN 3 (0)

Barking suffered their second friendly defeat in two days against Brentwood Town side managed by former Blue Carl Griffiths. Prior to the game Dave Ross stated he was looking more for positives from these games rather than results in the build up tp what will no doubt be a tough season coming up. Unlike the visitors who were fielding their strongest line-up, the Barking manager was unable to call on nine players for varying reasons and no doubt will be looking to rectify this for Tuesday's match against Waltham Forest. The positives came in the shape of keeper Leigham Stone who playing his first 90 minutes since March was in fine form making several fine save and seemed to be conducting a personal duel with visiting striker Jamie Williams. Also, prominent was Bradley Williams who caught the eye with some fancy footwork and 100% commitment.

The first half in the main belonged to Brentwood and Stone was given ample opportunity to shake off any cobwebs with a dash from his line to deny Williams and a produced a double save to ensure it was all square at the break. After just three minutes of the second half the home side were so nearly in front - Daniel Brooks pinpoint cross found half time Craig Greenwood ghosting in and his header clipped the post. On 52 the visitors went in front - a good hard challenge by Scott Borthwick on the edge of the box was deemed to be a penalty by the referee - upstepped Williams and Stone saved his shot - however, the Brentwood striker was first to the rebound and made no mistake. It was 0-2 on 67 when Jerry Nkrumah just slid the ball past the post. With 17 minutes left and the young home side running out of steam chasing the game in the energy sapping heat and possibly feeling the effects of two games in three days conceded a third with Ricky Hayles providing the finish. Despite these setbacks Barking did not give up and Mohammed Wague unleashed a thunderbolt which former Thurrock keeper Billy McMahon turned away and then pounced on the rebound which sub Joey Tungate was trying to pass back to Wague.

Squad: Stone (GK), Hughes, Borthwick, Williams, Hugo, Clark, Brooks, Vincent, Wague, Noakes, Greenwood, Bennett, Tungate, Gunyon

In what seems to be a growing trend Barking have been drawn away in another cup, this time the London Senior Cup - in the first round we will be away Mauritius Sports & Pennant and will need to win another two away ties before finally getting a home tie. Full draw:

First Round: To be played by Sat 10 Oct
Away – Mauritius Sports Assoc UK

Second Round: To be played by Sat 08 Nov
Away - VCD Athletic or Welling United

Third Round: To be played by Sat 06 Dec
Away – Croydon Athletic

Quarter Final: To be played by Sat 10 Jan
Home – Kingstonian or Leyton or Wingate & Finchley or Corinthian Casuals

Semi Final: To be played by Sat 07 Feb
Away – Fisher Athletic or Harrow Boro or Met Police or Lewisham Boro or Brimsdown or AFC Wimbledon or Erith Town

Earlier this week our pre-season preprations were interrupted by the departure of Assistant Manager Bert Hoyte to Ilford. Bert has decided to once again to link up with ex-Clapton manager Chris Wood.

Speaking in yesterdays Barking & Dagenham Recorder Dave Ross had this to say: "Of course I'm disappointed with him (Bert) leaving, but I have a very good assistant in Steve Munday. He is doing a great job and if we need an extra pair of hands with coaching I'll promote from within"

The Ladies team are on the look out for new players under two catergories: Players aged 8 and upwards for our junior section Players aged 17 and upwards for our senior section All Junior teams are registered in the Essex Girls League The Senior team plays in the Eastern Region WFL Premier Division Free training sessions every Saturday at 10am at Barking Football Club – with thanks to the Essex FA and Football Foundation grant. If you are interested please contact Debbie Moore or Peter Ball

Two new screensavers have been added to the download section - both contain photos from various matches of last season. They can be found by clicking here or by navigating to the downloads page via the link to the right of this page.

Two clubs who had applied to join the Essex Senior League, Clacton FC and Bethnal Green United had lodged appeals to the FA as their initial applications were rejected. The appeals were heard last Friday (July 4th) but unfortunately these were not successful. This means that the ESL for 2007/8 will consist of 16 tems. It would also appear that the league season will now start on August 9th a week earlier than previously thought. Confirmation will be posted here in due course.

The initial rounds of the FA Cup and FA Vase have been drawn. Both opening ties see the Blues hitting the road:

The FA Cup Extra Preliminary round - Saturday August 16th kick off 3pm, we are away to Bedfont Green FC with the winners travelling again to Great Wakering Rovers in the Preliminary round on Saturday August 30th.

The FA Vase First Qualifying round - Saturday September 6th kick off 3pm, we are away to Hanwell Town FC with the winners travelling to Halstead Town FC in the Second Qualifying round on Saturday September 20th.