Nothing Gained

AFC made their first ever visit to Mayesbrook Park and took on Barking, they came away without gaining anything and slipped down one place in the Bostik North table.

The telling goal came in the ninth minute after a defensive mistake as the ball was thrown out and intercepted. Ola blasted a fierce shot that gave AFC keeper Paul Walker no chance, but he went onto make a number of telling saves to keep the score to a single goal.

Max Booth AFC's latest signing made a promising debut as he became the 35th player used this season and the 353rd of all time.

Full report to follow..... With thanks to www.barking-fc.co.uk

Barking made it back-to-back league victories with another close victory this time against AFC Sudbury. Theo Ola scored the only after nine minutes as Barking ground out another welcome three points to climb to thirteenth in the table.

Barking came close to taking the lead after two minutes as Alan Taylor’s cross was met by Jay Knight, his effort was palmed away and fell to Dan Gilchrist but he couldn’t get any contact on the rebound. The Blues were the better side in the opening stages and their dominance told after nine minute as Abiola’s through ball was met by Theo Ola on the left wing, he cut inside into the box and drove the ball home across the goalkeeper and into the bottom right corner of the net. Barking had a chance to double their lead ten minutes later as Abs Seymour unleashed a pile driver but the Sudbury goalkeeper was equal to the effort. Barking were the better side but nearly fell victim to the counter-attack minutes later as Ollie Bowles was on high alert to palm an effort wide. Bowles made another good save minutes later and also had Ricky Tarbard to thank as he bravely blocked the rebound. Gilchrist had another opportunity after a header fell to him after 35 minutes he dragged the effort wide. Sudbury were still dangerous at the other end however and JJ Da Cruz had to be on hand to head away a dangerous free kick before the resultant corner was headed over. There was a final chance for Barking before half time – another piece of good interplay between Abiola and Ola saw Abiola this time through on goal albeit from a narrow angle and he saw his shot well saved by the goalkeeper.

The second half started slowly with the first chance coming after 57 minutes and going to AFC Sudbury as a right wing cross found an unmarked striker but he could only head wide. Sudbury continued to be the better team but Barking went closest next after 65 minutes as a free kick from Abs Seymour after 65 minutes found the side netting. Barking started to regain a foothold in the game and Gilchrist went close after 71 minutes as he found himself in space after good work by Knight and Taylor but his shot was smothered. Sudbury’s best chances seemed to come from free kicks – a 78th minute set piece flashed across goal before being headed wide. With five minutes to go it was time for another dangerous set piece and with the initial header saved a hooked volley attempt was also well saved by Bowles.

Barking did manage to counter Sudbury but no final product ensured a nervy finish but importantly the Blues held out as they took all three points at Mayesbrook Park.