The Len Cordell Cup – Group B
Venue: Oakside
2020-21 Season: Match 25
Friday 16th April 2021 – 8pm KO
Barkingside: Sky Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts, Navy Blue Socks
Redbridge: Red Shirts, Red Shorts, Red Socks
Barkingside club logo 
Redbridge club crest
The Motormen edge to the win over ‘Side to go top of Group B
Barkingside 1 – 2 Redbridge
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
This weekend’s action started for me with a rare trip (this season anyway) to Oakside for this Len Cordell Cup encounter between former “ground-mates” in Redbridge and Barkingside, who did play here before moving on to Cricklefield in the Seven Kings area several years ago. Barkingside fielded Duncan Smith in goal, with defence including Jordan Cornelius & former Redbridge player Ore Odutola. David Etcheri, Archie Hammond & Grant Frances made up the midfield engine room, with the forward line led by Jacob Dingli and Reece Simpson. The options from the substitutes’ bench for Steven Le Sage’s side included midfielder Jason Jones and centre-back Elliott Scott. The Motormen had George Martin resuming between the posts, with Chikosi Basden and Jack Roult as full-backs. Sam Dickens and Shawn Harris made up their midfield centre, with attacking midfielder Darnell Bromfield supporting forwards Tony Martin and skipper James Barlow. Their options from the sidelines included forward Josh Sykes, tricky winger Ayub Kadiri and full-back Jack Blackledge.
Onto the match itself, and with the air suitably chilling out from the get-go, the first chance of note fell to the ‘home’ side as a fine effort from midfielder David Etcheri only narrowly went over the top right corner of George Martin’s goal. Both sides proceded to set their stall out and in the process find their rhythm going forward. It was ‘Side who took the lead on sixteen minutes as forward Reece Simpson’s initial effort on goal was saved by Martin, but the Motormen defence were unable to clear their lines and the oppurtunistic Jacob Dingli stroked home calmly to break the deadlock.
The Motormen gradually gain more of the ball in the next phase of the match, and just past the half-hour, midfielder Shawn Harris made a great run down the far side of the eighteen-yard area before an alert Nathan Saunders came in to challenge well, with Harris in a promising position to either strike at goal or send in a low ball to the far post. As it turned out, that was a warning for the ‘Side backline that they didn’t heed. Seven minutes before the interval, Harris nipped in again and his low finish bypassed Duncan Smith in the Barkingside goal to level things up. It could’ve been worse for Barkingside as on the stroke of half-time, Redbridge forward James Barlow headed over the goal frame.
Half-Time: Barkingside 1 – 1 Redbridge
The second-half began in a bit of a tight, highly-contested manner but unfortunately not much in the way of clear-cut chances. As the hour mark approached, both sides each had a half-chance. Firstly on 57 minutes, the impressive Darnell Bromfield sent a decent strike wide before moments later at the other end, a fine run by Barkingside forward Quincy Warner forced opposition custodian Martin to venture out of his area to clear the danger.
On the hour, it would be Redbridge who took the decisive lead as a well-taken close-range finish from Tony Martin low into the net. ‘Side didn’t threaten on a consistent basis in the next phase of the game as the second-half substitutes looked to settle in. Redbridge made the maximum permitted five changes, and it’s worth noting that both Abdishakur Farah and Ayub Kadiri made decent runs down the flanks at times.
As we entered the last ten minutes of the contest, Redbridge substitute Josh Sykes displayed nifty footwork in evading defenders before ‘Side defender Jordan Cornelius did well to intercept at the near post. ‘Side then had a half-chance wit a fine looping header from Grant Frances which sent Redbridge stopper Martin sprawling to parry the ball away from the danger area, a good save in truth. Steven Le Sage’s side did keep the pressure on in the last few moments as substitute Johnson Santos headed over from a corner but it wasn’t to be for the Step Six side here, as Redbridge held on to claim the points.
Full-Time: Barkingside 1 – 2 Redbridge
In summary, it is fair to say that this was a scrappy match at times though there was enough chances in the main to keep both sides focused on reaching the summit of Group B, as both teams have only one match to play. To be fair, Redbridge just about deserve to win the match as they had a few more chances on Duncan Smith’s goal and had more possession as well.
To run through the ‘stand-outs’ from this match – first for Redbridge and attacking midfielder Darnell Bromfield had an impressive match with his pace, dribbling and passing to the forward line. Midfielders Shawn Harris and Gyane Sanderson also presented challenges for the Barkingside backline, and forward Tony Martin took his goal well and deserved respect & alertness from the ‘Side defenders. For Barkingside, midfielder Grant Frances had a good game, always looking forward and set up attacking moves for Messrs Dingli & Simpson. Jacob Dingli showed oppurtunism in scoring his goal and David Etcheri had a good game also showing good running & tackles from midfield.
Redbridge have six points from their Group B matches, while ‘Side still have three points. The sides respective remaining matches see Barkingside face Clapton at Frenford’s The Drive next Friday night (23rd April) & Redbridge travel to Coles Park to face Woodford Town next Saturday.
Teams
Barkingside | Manager: Steven Le Sage
1 Duncan Smith (GK), 2 Jordan Cornelius, 5 Ore Odutola (14 Shaquel Foyewa 46′), 6 Nathan Saunders, 4 David Etcheri (12 Jason Jones 46′), 16 Berkcan Belindir, 7 Archie Hammond (5 Elliott Scott 71′), 8 Grant Frances, 9 Jacob Dingli, 10 Reece Simpson, 15 Quincy Warner (17 Johnson Santos 62′)
Goal-scorers: Jacob Dingli [16′]
Booked: Hammond | Subs Not Used: None
Redbridge | Manager: George Christou
1 George Martin (GK), 2 Chikosi Basden, 3 Jack Roult (17 Jack Chawner 51′), 4 Sam Dickens (12 Abdishakur Farah 51′), 5 Olamiji Ayoola, 6 Dean Hall, 7 Gyane Sanderson (11 Ayub Kadiri 69′), 8 Shawn Harris (14 Jack Blackledge 71′), 9 Tony Martin, 10 Darnell Bromfield, 15 James Barlow (Capt) (19 Josh Sykes 78′)
Goal-scorers: Shawn Harris [38′], Tony Martin [59′]
Booked: None | Subs Not Used: C Hall
Referee: Andy Simmonds
Assistants: Adrian Vernica & Lewis Moore
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