Report

In a disappointing game of few opportunities a resolute Barking scored the only goal of the game 5 minutes from time courtesy of Albert Levett.

Tuesday 23-January-2018
HORNCHURCH 0 BARKING 1

HFC – Mott, Bentley © (Joseph 85), Porter, Lee, Cooper, Oluwatimilehin, Fairweather-Johnson, Roberts (Livings 68), Assombalonga (McKenzie 67), Purcell, Warner
Subs – Hursit, Styles

BFC – Olajide, Tarbard, Nesbitt, O’Brien ©, Adeyemi, Willis, Jones, Abiola (Jaffa 87), Bademosi (Hughes-Mason 76), Tuohy (Levett 60), Peart
Subs – Christ, Ramadan

Officials – Zack Ellis with James Amadori and Jordan Whitworth

Scorer – Levett 85

Bookings – Abiola 26 (BFC) – Oluwatimilehin 33 (H) – Tuohy 53 (BFC) – Purcell 73 (H) – Peart 90+1 (BFC)

Attendance 206
Duration 45.00 + 49.00

HORNCHURCH 0 BARKING 1

Barking had the advantage of the strong downfield wind in the first half, but were largely confined to long range and off target attempts. The wind dropped in the second half, and so did Hornchurch’s recent form, as they slumped to a disappointing defeat, the only goal coming a few minutes before the end.

There was only a modicum of action in the first twenty minutes – a Brad Warner run and cross went unhindered across goal, and a similar cross from Ezekiel Bademosi at the other end met a similar fate, the ball being turned harmlessly out for a corner.

We had to wait until midway through the half for the first serious attempt, when Sean Roberts fed the ball to Jay Porter, and his well-flighted cross found Chris Assombalonga, whose header went close but not close enough to the goal.

On the half hour George Purcell sent in a dangerous low cross, that Teddy Nesbitt did well to block at the near post, and five minutes later Purcell’s solo run through the middle ended with a shot that went over the bar.

Emmanuel Olajide was in action twice inside a minute, first saving a difficult centre from Olumide Oluwatimilehin, and then rushing out quickly to kick clear as Brad Warner broke clear.

The strong wind eased considerably at half time, and little happened for the first fifteen minutes of the half, when Barking had to defend in depth for several minutes, although the closest Hornchurch came to scoring was a cross by Warner that was scrambled away.

A Warner free kick was punched away by Olajide for a corner, and the keeper failed to hold the second corner, leading to another scramble in front of goal before Oluwatimilehin found Assombalonga, who touched on to George Purcell, but his shot was comfortably fielded by Olajide.

Another attempt by Purcell rebounded to Oluwatimilehin, but his shot was deflected for a corner, and at the other end a long throw into the goalmouth found Bademosi, and Sam Mott made his first save of the match, tipping the ball over the bar.

Leon McKenzie replaced Assombalonga and looked dangerous but the pattern of play continued with Hornchurch attacking but achieving little.

With five minutes left, Barking scored when Jordan Peart crossed from the left, the defence failed to deal with the ball, and Albert Levett planted it firmly into the net for the only goal of the game.

In the remaining minutes Hornchurch threw players forward, but with little effect as Barking held out.