Essex Senior League
Venue: Cricklefield
Attendance: 120
2018-19 Season – Match 43
Monday 21st January 2019 – 7.45pm KO
Barkingside: Purple Shirts, Purple Shorts, Purple Socks
Hullbridge: Yellow & Black Shirts, Yellow Shorts, Yellow Socks
Hullbridge hold off ‘Side to record a good win at Cricklefield
Report & Photos by Scott W (Twitter: @ScottMHC14)
A rare midweek jaunt took me to Cricklefield to see a revived Barkingside outfit take on Hullbridge, who were looking for their second away win in four days. The hosts were looking to preserve their unbeaten run and named a front three of David Hornsby, Isaac Marfo and recent signing Mario Gjini, who until recently was at ‘Side’s relegation rivals Leyton Athletic. Hullbridge retained James Pellin in goal with a front three of skipper Jimmy Cox, Luke Hornsley and top-scorer Nathan Scarborough.
We had a rather slow start to this one as both sides sought to o find their rhythm going forward. The visitors could well have been ahead in the opening 20 minutes as first, with 14 on the watch, ‘Bridge forward Luke Hornsley picked out strike partner Nathan Scarborough though his weak effort when one-on-one with home ‘stopper Ryan Karrer was blocked by the ‘keeper’s legs. Hornsley then had a header chalked off for off-side minutes later.
‘Side forward David Hornsby looked to passes to run onto, on the shoulder of the visiting back-line though found little service given by his team-mates. Nine minutes before the interval, Hornsby did find space and played in winger Joe Oates though he blasted his strike just over the woodwork. A minute later, Hornsby’s effort lacked the power to test visiting custodian James Pellin. The visitors were then awarded a spot-kick seven minutes before half-time as midfielder Emmanuel Okunja was felled in the area, with Adebola Sotoyinbo stepping up to convert the resulting spot-kick. Hullbridge had a goal-bound header cleared off the line moments later before ‘Side forward Mario Gjini squandered a decent opening, gliding his shot wide after doing in well in getting past two defenders.
Half-Time: Barkingside 0 – 1 Hullbridge
Hullbridge certainly looked to put the game to bed in the early stages of the second-half. Scarborough miscued another good chance with only Karrer to beat merely a minute in, before they did double their advantage as full-back Matt Rose’s beautiful cross found forward Jimmy Cox at the back stick to power home a header from close range. To be honest, the next passage of the game saw fairly little in the way of goal-mouth action as the visitors sought to protect their lead and the hosts unable to seriously put pressure on the home defence, despite Gjini’s occasional surging run and the presence of fellow forward Isaac Marfo, who tried to unsettle the centre-back duo of Jamal Allen and Perry Dunn. Sotoyinbo had another effort cleared off the line just after the hour as Hullbridge looked to erase any doubt as to where the points were heading. Scarborough did his goal in the end as with ten minutes remaining, his strike from close range secured the win.
Barkingside did respond four minutes from time, as moments after coming on, substitute Shaiquan Maisara slotted home well in with just Pellin to beat. Unfortunately though for the hosts, they didn’t quite show enough in attack to test a Hullbridge side looking to keep their confidence on a firm foundation to keep tabs on leaders Stansted. ‘Side remain two points adrift of rivals Leyton Ath, having played one game more.
Full-Time: Barkingside 1 – 3 Hullbridge
Darren Manning’s side deserved their win in a scrappy battle though they will be more than happy with the points and move on to their trip to Tower Hamlets at the weekend. ‘Side’s four-match unbeaten run ends here. Finally, it was good to see the match in the conpany of ground-hoppers Richard and Andrew plus GFS’ own Adam R, ESL Publicity Officer Scott Lanza and not forgotting the ‘rock at the back (well…ish!)’ of Hainault Athletic, Damian Clark. Thanks also to all at Barkingside for their hospitality.
Barkingside | Manager: Alex Goldstone
Ryan Karrer (GK), Frederico Hernandez, Akwasi Marfo, Dan Jones, Edward Lang (Harry Matthews 66′), Derek Ohalem, Joe Oates, David Ottley (Capt), Mario Gjini, David Hornsby (George Woodward 60′), Isaac Marfo (Shaiqain Maisara 83′)
Goal-scorer: Shaiqain Maisara [86′]
Booked: Lang, Ottley, Matthews | Subs Not Used: Buchanan
Hullbridge Sports | Manager: Darren Manning
James Pellin (GK), Courtney Homans, Matt Rose, Jamal Allen, Perry Dunn, Joe Skeels, Emmanuel Okunja (Joe Pattison 69′), Adebola Sotoyinbo, Jimmy Cox (Capt) (Dan Okah 52′ (Jonas Fuadianitu 76′)), Luke Hornsley, Nathan Scarborough
Goal-scorers: Adebola Sotoyinbo [pen 38′], Jimmy Cox [49′], Nathan Scarborough [80′]
Booked: Pellin, Okunja, Okah, Pattison, Homans | Subs Not Used: T Sotoyinbo, McLeavy
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