March 2009

BARKING 1 HAROLD WOOD 1 - TUESDAY MARCH 24TH
FRIENDLY MATCH

With the first team having no game since March 14th, a work-out against Essex Olympian league Harold Wood was arranged. 'The Wood' are having a good season, currently fourth in the EOL and although 15 points behind leaders Kelvedon Hatch, they do have five games in hand.

With Craig Greenwood nursing a couple of cracked ribs, Bradley Wigington took his place in defence. In the first half it was the home defence who had more to do than their opponents rearguard and in all truthfullness the yellow shirted Mayesbrook Men could hardly a muster a effort of note on goal. Early on a Scott Borthwick goal line clearance and a good low save from Mark Parker kept it all square. On 42 Parker bettered the save with a point blank stop from a header - but two minutes later was powerless to stop Harold Wood taking the lead through Des Gallen - the former Romford striker slotting home from close range and this meant a not very satisfactory conclusion to the first half.

Some personnel and positional changes, no doubt coupled with some strong words in the changing room looked to galvanise the homesters in action. However, after a few minutes it was nearly 0-2 with a line of Barking defenders appealing for offside a visiting player blasted over when appearing well placed to score. Sam Dennis nearly conjured the equaliser, but his header from a Matt Knight free kick was palmed away by the keeper and Mark Doyle did have the ball in the net but was offside. A Borthwick cross which is well delivered is cleared literally from under the nose of Dave Armstrong and Dennis is close again when another free kick - this time from Tungate is headed over the bar, with the keeper punching Sam and not the ball... Finally on 84 minutes the equaliser arrived when a defensive mix-up let in Mark DOYLE who coolly put the ball between the keepers legs and this time no there was no offside flag. A winner nearly materialised when a Knight cross from the righthand side is cleverly kept in play by Doyle but on the stretch Danny Gillard is unable to convert.

As we have no game this Saturday the First Team will be fulfilling the reserve team league fixture against Canvey Island reserves - the match takes place at Mayesbrook Park kick-off 3pm.

Squad: Mark Parker, Craig Leader, Sam Dennis, Bradley Wigington, Scott Borthwick, Joe Tungate, Matt Knight, Danny Hopkins, Richard Whiteman, Shamrez Darr, Mark Doyle, Dave Armstrong, James Falaise, Lee Pyne, Danny Gillard

If you read the back of this week's Dagenham Post Steve Munday mentioned that he was trying to find a club for a friendly match next week. Steve was successful in his search and has lined up one of his former clubs Harold Wood Athletic of the Essex Olympian League. We have met Harold Wood three times previously all which have been friendlies, the last being in July 2004 with the Blues running out 5-0 winners with a Dean Allen hat trick and two from Billy Read. The match takes place this coming Tuesday at Mayesbrook Park (March 24th) kick-off 7:45pm

Unfortunately due to Takeley's continued involvement in the ART cup our away league fixture on March 28th has had to be postponed - the match has been rescheduled for Tuesday April 21st kick off 7:45pm.

BARKING 0 LEYTON 0 - TUESDAY MARCH 10TH
FRIENDLY MATCH

The Blues draw a blank with the Lilywhites

This Tuesday night friendly ended all square with both defences coming out on top. From a blue point of view it was a worthwhile exercise for both players and management alike. As with the Dagenham friendly the game was played over three periods, but of thirty minutes apiece. Also, Steve Munday and Neil Day left the management duties to coach Dean Clark bar the odd mobile phone call.

Having a run out for the Blues was Danny Cossington who acquitted himself quite well. Bizarrely, however the game was barely thirty seconds old Mark Doyle was substituted - apparently due to an off the field incident involving a rhino!!  Back to the match and Mark Parker made a good and Cossington was prominent due to his work rate. A long and high free kick from inside the home half had the diminutive Leyton back-pedaling as it cleared the bar. A good interchange between Craig Greenwood and Tansel Osman ended with Osman finding space but shooting across goal.

The second period opened with a flurry of substitutions. Danny Hopkins certainly warmed the keeper’s hands with a powerful shot which he did well to turn away. Barking did have the ball in the net but unfortunately it was ruled out for offside. Sam Dennis produced a shot of similar power to Hopkins - but this unfortunately cleared the bar. On two separate occasions Shamrez Darr threatened to breakthrough on goal but neither opportunity came to fruition. At the defensive end a good tackle by Bradley Wigington averted any danger.

Doyle reappeared for the final third of the game and also making an appearance was former Blue Robert Carter. Although Barking kept on the offensive they could not create the required golden chance. In the latter stages of the game Leyton began to get on top but our centre half pairing of Craig Leader and Wigington stood firm and with Parker’s speed coming from his line to pounce on any loose balls. This meant the Lilywhites only had two real chances the second of which eluded Carter’s outstretched leg.  A good last ditch challenge by James Falaise ensured honours were shared.

Squad: Mark Parker, Craig Leader, Craig Greenwood, Sam Dennis, Bradley Wigington, Danny Cossington, Abraham Adejokun, Danny Hopkins, Danny Gillard, Tansel Osman, Mark Doyle, James Falaise, Joe Tungate, Matt Knight, Shamrez Darr

For the third week in a row the Under 16s won through in the EJA chairman's cup and are now at the semi final stage - this week they beat Boca Mountnessing on penalties after extra time. Manager Stuart Cook reports:

Sunday March 8th
Boca Mountnessing 3 (2)  Under 16's 3 (0)
After Extra Time - Barking won 4-2 on penalties

Barking made hard work of this third round cup tie, despite dominating the Under 16’s found themselves 2-0 down at half time. They continued to control the game in the second half but also continued to miss chances, a good ball from Michael Jay found Sam BRADLEY who scrambled the ball in the net to give barking hope with 15 minutes left. Michael JAY then got the ball on the half way line and drove towards the goal and smashed the ball in the top corner for 2-2.

The game went to extra time and Barking took the lead for the first time through sub Sanmi ODELUSI but Boca came back making it 3-3 with the last kick of the game and so it was to penalties.  Marcus PRIVETT, Josh Pells LOWBRIDGE, Edward O’NEILL and Danny FORD all scored their penalties while keeper Scott Griffiths saved three Boca penalties to send Barking through. Edward O’Neil was the Under 16’s Man of the Match.

During the week the club received a call from Leyton FC regarding a friendly match as both clubs are free this week. Therefore a match has been arranged for this coming Tuesday (March 10th) at Mayesbrook Park kick off 7:45pm.

Leyton are currently in the process of rebuilding following a disasterous 2007-08 when they finished bottom of the Ryman Premier with 16 points from 42 games. Currently, Leyton are around the midway mark of Division 1 North and have former Blues Robert Carter and Fabio Jesus in their ranks.

The Under 16s have embarked on a cup run in the EJA chairman's cup - Manager Stuart Cook reports on their wins against Chelmsford City and Harlow Town in the first and second rounds:

Sunday February 22nd
Chelmsford City (0) 0 Under 16’s 0 (0)
After Extra Time - Barking won 4-3 on penalties

The Under 16’s continued their good run with this cup victory – it makes four wins and five clean sheets in a row. Barking had the better chances in a tight first half with Sam Bradley going close after a good run and shot. Chelmsford had chances after the break but good defending from Marcus Privett and Liam Clelland and goalkeeping kept Chelmsford at bay. The game went to extra time with both keepers making good saves - Leon Smith was sent off for Barking but they held on for penalties. Daniel GILLARD, Josh Pells LOWBRIDGE and Edward O’NEILL scored their penalties to make it sudden death.  Joao RODRIGUES kept his cool to score his penalty and keeper Scott Griffiths in saving three Chelmsford penalties sent Barking into round 2 to face Harlow Town.

Sunday March 1st
Under 16’s 2 (1) Harlow Town 1 (0)

Barkings good run continued with this cup victory, Barking had the better of the first half but only had a 1 -0 lead at half time from a Michael Jay corner being meet by the head of Liam CLELLAND to score his first goal for the Under 16s. 

In the second half Barking continued to push for a second goal but the post and crossbar denied them twice. Daniel GILLARD then received the ball on the edge of the Harlow penalty area, he rolled the defender and hit a stunning shot that flew in the top corner for a 2-0 lead. Mom Afolabi Ajibawo then went on a run that finished with his shot hitting the crossbar Harlow pulled a goal back late on but it was Barking who went through into round three with a away trip to Boca Mountnessing this coming Sunday March 8th.