March 2008

BARKING 4 (2) ILFORD 2 (1) - TUESDAY MARCH 18th

Last night at Mayesbrook Park the Blues won a competitive friendly against near neighbours and old rivals Ilford. The Foxes included in their lineup former Blue Carl Bruce who is on-loan from Redbridge and Elie Kayembe who featured for us earlier in the season. Turning out for Barking were a number of first team players, the ones who caught the eye were two goal Dean Clark, Carl Paul and Reserve team keeper Paul Butterfill who despite being beaten twice made a number of good saves and gave confidence with his positive approach.

Barking had the first real opportunity of the game when Aaron Gayle fired in a superb shot which flew just wide with the Ilford keeper flying across his goal. They didn't have to wait long when on seven a defence splitting pass by Carl Paul finds Jimmy NOAKES through on goal who dummies the keeper and calmly slots home for 1-0. Nine minutes later Ilford tie the game up when a slip by Joey Dankwa allows the ball to be played across the box and is slotted past Paul Butterfill for one apiece. Not disturbed by this setback the home side come again and good ball finds Dean Clark who lobs the keeper but the effort is wide. There is a scare in the home goalmouth as the visitors look certain to score but Dankwa is on hand to clear off the goal line. A long throw by Clark finds James Hughes who connects to the ball with venom but the ball just clears the bar. However, on 33 the home side nudge themselves back in front when the ubiqitous Victor Omobeghin delivers a quality waist high ball which beats the keeper at full stretch, with Clark and a Ilford defender chasing the ball goalbound, the visiting player under pressure nets for a Own GOAL. The half ends with sickening accidental collision involving Gayle, the keeper and a defender all going for the ball which leaves the Ilford players prostrate on the floor. The referee Mr Brooks wisely decides to blow for half-time.

Early in the second perod a good move culminates with Gayle finding Clark and his shot is saved but Noakes puts the rebound over. That save ends the goalkeepers involvement as he is still suffering from the effects of the earlier injury and he is replaced between the pipes by one of Ilfords coaching staff. Barking continue to turn the screw and Omobeghin jinks down the line and his cross finds sub Craig Greenwood who fires over, this is followed up by a Alex Simm header which is over bar. On 66 minutes it is 3-1, a free kick is played back and forth by Hughes and Dean CLARK, who produces a cross-cum-shot over the stand-in custodian and into the net. Two minutes later the game is more or less over, Abraham Adejokun another second half replacement is felled just inside the box, Mr Brooks pointed to the spot and up steps Nioakes but he is second guessed by the stand-in keeper who saves the spot kick only for the alert Dean CLARK to pounce and sidefoot the ball home - 4-1. This also meant the end of the stand-in keeper who gave way to one of the outfield players. In the dying embers of the game Ilford put together their best moves of the match and Butterfill makes a superb two handed save at full stretch to push the ball over the bar. It was nearly five when Carl Paul moved up front due to various reshuffles was played in and his delicate lob beat both keeper and post. With virtually the last kick of the game Butterfill was beaten for a second time to make it 4-2 to the Blues.

A mid-week friendly has been arranged for this coming Tuesday March 18th at Mayesbrook Park against Ryman Division 1 North side and local neighbours Ilford. Admission on the night will be £4 and £2 for concessions

As Tilbury have a home match on Saturday March 29th against Wivenhoe in the Ryman league, our league cup semi final second leg will now take place on Tuesday April 1st kick off 8pm.

Easter Monday's derby clash has had to be rescheduled. Unfortunately. Romford cannot have use of the Rush Green road ground and therefore the game has now been moved to the following evening, Tuesday March 25th kick-off 7:45pm.

The club regret to announce the departure of assistant manager Russell Sparry due to work commitments that are restricting from him doing a job he readily admits that he enjoys. Russell has been assisting Dave Ross firstly with the Reserves and subsequently since November the first team.

The vacancy will be filled ironically be the man Russell replaced: Bert Hoyte (pictured left) who until recently has been with Clapton who joined from us last year. Dave Ross and Bert have worked successfully together for many years at various levels from Youth, Reserve and now hopefully First Team. Bert will be “on the bench” at Barkingside on Monday for his first game.

We would like to thank Russell for his time with us, wishing him well for the future and welcome back Bert with similar sentiment.

Two familiar faces returned this week:

First of all centre half Alan Lethbridge (pictured top) who was with us earlier in the season and had joined Clapton. Alan featured in Tuesdays reserve win over Waltham Abbey and today’s league cup semi-final game.

The second player is the loan signing of striker Aaron Gayle (pictured bottom) who was with us last season making 24 appearances and scoring three goals, Aaron has this term been with Redbridge scoring six goals and it is hoped he will be in the squad for Monday’s league encounter with Barkingside.