Eastern Senior League – South Division
Venue: Cricklefield
Attendance: TBA
2021-22 Season: Match 67
Monday 4th April 2022 – 7.45pm KO
Barkingside: Sky Blue Shirts, Navy Blue Shorts,Navy Blue Socks
Burnham: Yellow Shirts, Yellow Shorts, Yellow Socks
Burnham grab good win with hard-working display at Barkingside
Barkingside 0 – 3 Burnham Ramblers
Match Report & Photos by Scott W [Twitter: @ScottMHC14]
The first midweek match in April saw a return to Cricklefield for this Eastern Senior League South match which saw play-off chasing Burnham Ramblers visit to face Barkingside. The hosts are hoping for a top-ten finisdh but the main thing they needed is impetus ahead of next season. The hosts fielded Duncan Smith in goal, with a defence of captain Jordan Cornelius, Joseph Lanes, Kevin Difika and Nathan Saunders. As ever, James Peagram was the focal point in attack for ‘Side, with support from Josh Duyile, Quincy Warner and Umaru Kabia. Options from the sidelines inluded midfielders David Etcheri and Ismael Dahjaoul and forward Anton Alexander. Burnham have the hallmarks of a united squad which is good to see, they had Adam French in goal, with a back four of Nathan Putt, Albert Galbally plus centre-backs Tom Howard and skipper Ben Wood. Eddie Appleton and Joe Howard were in centtral midfield, Haziz Kone and Samir Ali were the chief support to forwards Adebolu Adeyemi and Jack Walker. Their substitutes included centre-back Ben Jackman, midfielders Harry Shawyer, Liam Barry and George Hart plus Said Issa.
It would be fair to say that the match did take a little while to find its rhythm. The first chance of note saw a good run by Burnham winger Samir Ali down the right flank end with a good cross which found forward Jack Walker but the latter’s header was off-target which didn’t trouble home custodian Duncan Smith. The visitors were having most of the play and the better of the few chances we saw in the half, with wingers Ali and Haziz Kone both testing their markers well. With the half-hour approaching, a good move involving Kone and energetic full-back Albert Galbally found Walker but again he couldn’t test Smith.
The good crowd in attendance (including several from the visitors, which was reassuring to see) did see a goal on 31 minutes and another darting run by the impressive Haziz Kone broke past ‘Side’s backline and slotted home low past Smith with no trouble. The hosts were having some decent approach plkay, largely through the likes of Umaru Kabia’s good runs down the right channel and James Peagram once again leading the line, although the Ramblers defence was being miserly and cleared well for the most part.
Half-Time: Barkingside 0 – 1 Burnham Ramblers
Two minutes after the restart, a rare defensive error by Barkingside’s Kevin Difika allowed Ramblers midfielder George Hart to get on the ball and his strike went wide but it showed that Luke Goodson’s side were keen to build momentum and take the points here as quickly as they could. Forward Adebolu Adeyemi also put in some testing crosses which the hosts did well to clear. A rare chance for Barkingside came on 53 minutes as midfielder Archie Hammond garnered some space down the centre but his effort went over Adam French’s woodwork.
Perhaps sensing their lead at this point was slender, Burnham pushed forward again just after the hour mark and got that telling second goal. Kone again made another good run which couldn’t be stopped, with Kone unleashing a fierce strike which was well palmed away by Smith, but unfortunately for the hosts, Samir Ali got in first to help himself to a close range tap-in.
There was no doubting Barkingside’s work rate and they nearly got an important goal back as a fine ball in by substitute David Etcheri just evaded Kabia in the eighteen-yard area. The points were made secure though for the visitors eight minutes from time as Adeyemi fired home a good low strike from a narrow angle at the far post which bypassed Smith and found the net.
In fairness, Burnham did more than deserve the win and showed why they are the fourth highest scorers in the division this season. They have a big match at rivals Halstead Town at the weekend, which could pretty secure the play-off berth they will be looking for.
Full-Time: Barkingside 0 – 3 Burnham Ramblers
This match can be summed up by Burnham having more options in their team and they have goals throughout their forward line and they showed that once again here. Barkingside have a decent backline, and decent build-up play but their main problem is scoring goals on a consistent basis. James Peagram has 19 league goals this term which is commendable, but he is well ahead of next lead goal-scorer for his team. Burnham also have a robust defence who did have a few nervy moments, but they were not heavily troubled in this game.
There were some fine performances in this match. First, for winners Burnham I felt winger Haziz Kone had a very good match, showing time & again his pace and crossing ability to really test the home backline. Fellow winger Samir Ali once again showed his credentials as well and his goal was an oppurtunistic one. Forward Adebolu Adeyemi also added further goal threat and took his goal well late on as well as good passes from deep at times. Finally, a word for full-back Albert Galbally, who typified his team’s defence with a robust performance and also sowed good energy and a good outlet for his team.
For Barkingside , winger Umaru Kabia was a good outlet down the right flank for the hosts, making several good runs and showed decent work rate along with it. In central defence, Nathan Saunders made several good interceptions and good positioning to keep proceedings tight, particularly in the first half. Josh Duyile added to his side’s forward moves showing good trickery, pace and movement while full-back Jordan Cornelius also had a decent match at full-back.
Best wishes to both sides for the remainder of the season.
Teams
Barkingside | Manager: Steven Le Sage | Assistant: Tommy Shelts
Starting XI (Subs): 1 Duncan Smith (GK), 2 Jordan Cornelius (Capt), 3 Joseph Lanes (7 David Etcheri 46′), 5 Kevin Difika, 6 Nathan Saunders, 14 Patrick Hoy, 8 Archie Hammond (16 Ismael Dahjaoul 59′), 15 Umaru Kabia, 10 Josh Duyile, 9 James Peagram (17 Anton Alexander 87′), 11 Quincy Warner
| Sub Not Used: Umaru
Burnham Ramblers | Manager: Luke Goodson | Assistant: Ross Mernick
Starting XI: 1 Adam French (GK), 2 Nathan Putt, 3 Albert Galbally, 5 Ben Wood (Capt), 17 Tom Howard (6 Ben Jackman 75′), 8 Eddie Appleton, 10 Joe Howard (16 George Hart 35′), 9 Adebolu Adeyemi (12 Said Issa 84′), 15 Haziz Kone, 7 Samir Ali, 14 Jack Walker
Goal-scorers: Haziz Kone [31′], Samir Ali [63′], Adebolu Adeyemi [82′]
| Subs Not Used: Shawyer, Barry
Referee: Ayesemuate Agho
Assistants: Lee Markwick and Peter Jago
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