March To The Arch: Game 1: Barkingside v Southend Manor

The extra Preliminary Round of the F.A.Cup was played out today. In our cup Tracker 'March to the Arch' we were following the tie between Barkingside and Southend Manor.

The prizes on offer for the winning side was £750 in prize money and a lucrative tie at home to Brentwood Town of the Ryman League Div 1 North, so this was an important game for both sides. With Manor winning we will now follow them in the next round in a fortnight as they look to overcome that good Brentwood side.

SportTrades own Adam Dennehey was there to report on the game for us:

Barkingside’s FA Cup run didn’t even get underway, as they fell at the first hurdle for the second year in a row.

Manor though were just about derserving winners as a goal in each half for the visitors was enough for them to go through in the all Essex Senior League side clash at the Oakside.

In a busy opening half, both teams played well. Barkingside had an early chance to lead when Rhys Hamilton threaded a through-ball to Ryan Imbert, but the diminutive striker’s shot was blocked by Manor’s goalkeeper, Adam Seal.

Southend Manor almost scored with their first move of the match, when Anton Dwyer slotted in a pass to Jay Smith, but his shot from the edge of the area was saved by Elliot Justham.

Manor took the lead in the 19th minute, when David Tubbs Free kick was headed in by Wilf Msiska, with Juthann helpless, as the ball flew into the top corner.

Both sides had spells of possession in the remainder of the half, but were unable to create anything as the conditions worsened, thanks to a rainstorm of monsoon proportions.

Barkingside started the second half the brighter, and Imbert might have equalised but agonisingly, shot just wide. However, Manor came back into it and after a long spell of pressure increased their lead. Msiska slotting in for his second after Chris Wilson’s cross from the edge of the six yard box.

Despite Billy Pikes best efforts with his head from two corners, Side were unable to get anything back, which was perhaps a little harsh on Tony Fenns side, as they looked worthy of being in the contest.

So Side get an early weekend off in their season whilst Manor can look forward to a tasty clash at home to Brentwood in the Preliminary Round in a fortnight.

Match Details:

Barkingside: Elliot Juthann, Craig Dennis, Dave Cooper, Brad Falco, Max Holt, Reece Cosson, Perry Burns, Joe McEvoy, Billy Pike, Paul Bernett, Ryan Imbert.

Goals:
Barkingside 0 Southend Manor 1 (Wilf Msiska 19)
Barkingside 0 Southend Manor 2 (Wilf Msiska 64)

Catching Up With The 'Side: Overcoming Winter Postponments!

It has been quite a while since we've heard from Barkingside FC, one of SportTrades adopted clubs this season. Thankfully SportTrades Adam Dennehey is able to give us an update on the team this month.

Last time that I updated you on the team in December, it came in horrific circumstances which involved captain Alex Carter broke his fibia, tibia bones as well has dislocating an ankle during a game away to Clapton FC in league competition. He was admitted to Newham General Hospital and after a stay there has now been discharged. As expected he's been ruled out for the season but is omptimistic that he'll be able to play football again. Of course this will be a massive goal for him to do, but everyone at the club is fully behind him and wish him the best.

On the pitch not alot as happened for the team since December as alike alot of non league football clubs they were affected by the poor weather and have had what seems like millions of postponments for their games. Their Oakside stadium, which also plays hosts to Redbridge FC matches has had alot of games postponed by the weather. The ground is situation at the bottom of a hill so there is often more draingage that you'd imagine on a pitch at non league level.

This month finally saw some football at the Oakside when Barkingside beat Bowers & Pitsea 3-2 in the league. Due to family issues I didn't see that match, but was present for their thrilling 4-2 win againgst Southend Manor when Sean Thomas scored a hatrick as a second half sub to cap a memorable victory for the team. It was all the more remarkable given the fact the team were 2-0 down at half time and the quality of play in the second half was probably as good a 45 minutes that you're see all season. Side's midfield worked wonders with Liam Burgess, Abs Thompson and Fabian Batchelor not missing one pass in the second half. Side's goalie Jason Willis also pulled of some tremendous saves with the score at 2-2 with 20 minutes to go so he should get some credit.

Although 'Side have gone out of the league cup that they won last season, they are still in with a chance of winning the Gordon Brasted cup which they have been losing finalists twice in the last five years. Sitting currently 6th in the Essex Senior League, they have three games in hand againgst leaders Burnham Ramblers, so should be looking to make up the ground on Burnham over the next month.

In other news regarding the club, on the afternoon of the club's home game with Clapton, Saturday 10th April 2010, The Testicle Tour will visit Oakside to perform their own unique version of a penalty shoot out using large pink fluffy testicles.

The Testicle Tour is a testicular cancer awareness campaign that was created by Darren Couchman and Richard Miller. Their aim is to raise the profile of this illness in a funny, light hearted way and also raise monies for the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign.

At half time during the game against Clapton, The Testicle Tour, along with some of the clubs players, will stage a penalty shoot out competition but they will use one of the large fluffy testicles instead of a football. It promises to be a spectacle but at the same time it will deliver an important message to the fans; men should be more aware of testicular cancer and carry out regular self checks.

For more on this check out Barkingside's official website @ http://www.barkingsidefc.co.uk/. To find out information on The Testicle Tour go to the campaigns official website http://www.onelumportwo.org.uk/.

Catching Up With The 'Side: Alex Carter Suffers Horror Injury

As you'll know by now on SportTrades Report, that from the start of the season we've been following Barkingside FC, in the Essex Senior League who play their games at the Oakside Stadium. The last month or so for the team has been more miss than hit with the team dropping points in games that in reality they shouldn't have.

However all that was put into respective saturday just gone, when one of their regulars this season and club captain in recent weeks Alex Carter suffered from what sounds as one of the worst injuries to have happened in not just Non League football but football in general.

With Barkingside winning 2-1 with around 7-8 minutes left on the clock in their ESL fixture away to lowly Clapton, Alex went in for a 50/50 challenge with Clapton's Justin Maynaru. Unfortunately Alex took the brunt of the challenge and broke his fibia, tibia bones and dislocated his ankle and has been admitted to Newham Genereal Hospital. He faces a lengthly spell not just on the sidelines but also off of work and it's obviously come at one of the busiest times of the year when nobody wants to worry about their health and just enjoy the festivities over the holiday season.

From the latest information coming out of the club, Alex had his operation on Monday and the surgeons were pleased with how it went. Sadly it's still far too early to know how long Alex has been sidelined and whether or not he'll be able to make a playing return in the future. Alex's family have travelled down from the north to see him and the reliable defender is in good spirits despite the situation.

The club are making a donation to him, including part of their next home match's gate reciepts and the players, staff and people connected within the club are having a whip around to help him and his family throughout this difficult time.

We at SportTrades wish Alex the best of health over the holiday period and as soon as we hear more of his condition, we're let you know. For more on Alex's situation please check out Barkingside FC's official website @ http://www.barkingsidefc.co.uk/. If you're intrested in raising money for Alex's injury yourself, get in touch with Chairman Jimmy Flanaghan @ confclothing@aol.com

Catching Up With The 'Side - A Decent November

SportTrades Adam Dennehey writes: Now that November's started and the nights are getting darker, I thought it'd be a good time to give you guys an update on one of SportTrades's adopted clubs this season - Barkingside FC.

It's been an ok last couple of months for the team since i last gave an update on the team, and its fair to say that quite alot has happened. The team have risen up to a respectable 5th in the Essex Senior League table. In the last 2 months they've only lost 2 out of the last 15 games they've played and that includes some 3 friendlies that have been played when the team hasn't had a fixture on the odd weekend. This has been seen as a good tool for Manager Tony Fenn to try out new players to the squad and also give the youngsters in the side some time on the pitch.

One youngster that has come to the fore recently has been Liam Burgess. The stylish midfielder has coome to the side with good pedigree and is a former trainee and youth product from West Ham. He's not the tallest player in the world but makes up for it with some skillfull touches and reminds a few Oakside regulars of Arsenal's Jack Wilshire - who isn't a bad player to be comapred to at the moment.

Up front the team are playing well with a good bunch of strikers at the team. Leading the way is Sean Thomas, who is well-known at non league for his goals with previous form for Brentwood Town and Aveley to name a few. Thomas has scored 13 goals so far and does look a threat in every game. Then the team have the pacey Ryan Imbert who has impressed since the start of the season scoring 8 goals. The most important of these came againgst Stanstead when his 90th minute winner won the Monday night clash on the 26th October.

Off the pitch the club have just got a grade D Stadium listing from the FA, this means that providing they can get promoted they could apply to be in the Ryman League North next season. This is an important step for the club in wanting to be ambitious. However just like the club's Oakside stadium's tennants Redbridge, the club are continuing to raise funds for the future of the club to keep the club going.

Everyone involved at the club from chairman Jimmy Flanaghan and his family, to the maangement team and the players, to the regulars at the club like Rob Meyers and John Belsey - is playing their part. Its a credit to those people that the club so far have got the Second Best attendence figures in the league with an average of 87 so far this season. The highest attendence of the season so far for the club was the 154 who turned up, on a Monday Night to see the team triumph over Stanstead Town on the 26th October.

The team should be looking to move into the top 3 over the next couple of games, which are all winable. Local rivals Barking visit the Oakside stadium this weekend and if past encounters are to go by, it's a game that will be well worth seeing.

For more on Barkingside FC, do visit their website @ http://www.barkingsidefc.co.uk/ and if you're ever down in Barkingside, in the borough of Redbridge do visit the ground and see the team in action. More from Barkingside FC in December!

Catching Up With The 'Side: Introducing Barkingside FC!

SportTrades are pleased to announce that we will be following Essex Senior League side, Barkingside FC this season. As part of our 'Support Your Local' initiative this year, every month we will be updating our blog and finding out what has happened to our adopted clubs in the last month. Here's the latest to do with Barkingside FC by Adam Dennehey.

The 2009/2010 season brings much optimism for everyone at Oakside. It's a new start for the club with Jimmy Flanaghan (the chairman/secretary of the club) in charge for his first full season at the club as well as new home and away kits. Last season was a season of two halves for the club. There was trouble in the opening months of the season with early cup exits, boardroom disputes and floodlight issues. However when the boardroom dispute was settled at the end of December, when Jimmy Flanaghan took charge of the club everything settled and everyone at the club helped get the club back to together.

Come the end of the season the team had finished a respectable 5th in the Essex Senior League and had even grabbed a piece of silverware - the Essex Senior League Challenge Cup. This season the target for Manager Tony Fenn is to win the league, but even at this level of football it isn't as easy as that.

'Side so far have drawn their opening 2 league games and suffered a disappointing defeat at home in the FA Cup to Bowers & Pitsea. However in the last fortnight there just might have been a major improvement in the team’s fortunes. Essex Senior League leaders Sawbridgeworth Town were beaten twice in the Challenge Cup Group stages with 'Side scoring 4 goals in both matches.

Lastly I would just like to mention Martin Meyers before the end of this post. Martin is a valued member of the committee and is a steward for the club in all their home matches. During the recent league draw with Basildon United at home on the 22nd of August, we were constantly speaking about the Oval test match in the Ashes.

As I am a big cricket fan myself, I had my radio on hand to listen to the game whilst reporting on the match. When Jonathan Trott was nearing the nervous 90s, I found Martin by the sidelines and handed him one of the earphones to listen to the cricket. Now whenever I recall where I was when Trott got his 100 and Graeme Swann bashed 63 runs to help set England on their way to winning that test and the Ashes. I'll always remember that I was behind one of the goals at the Oakside listening to it on Test Match Special with Martin asking me 'when do you think Strauss will declare like, we've got enough runs in the bank'. That’s the wonder of Barkingside FC where there's lots of stuff happening and good humour around the club.

FA Cup Extra Preliminiary Round Result

Adam Dennehey Reports From Oakside - Barkingside 1 Bowers & Pitsea 4

Visiting Bowers & Pitsea earned a well deserved win at Oakside as a below-par Barkingside were simply not good enough on the day. Bowers’ now go onto the next round where they face Windsor & Eton away on the 29th of August.

It was the hosts Barkingside who started the game brighter with winger Bradley Ross looking a real threat down his wing. A good run by Ross was matched by a good ball from Ryan Imbert but the winger just failed to keep his shot down.

On their first attack in the thirteenth minute Bowers’ went ahead. A good ball from Luke Purcell in midfield released Craig Gillam. The pacey forward timed his run perfectly to edge past his marker before slotting the ball past Matt Cope in goal to put the visitors ahead.

It was almost two for the visitors’ minutes later but Alex Car ter denied Gillam in scoring a second with a good defensive block inside the box. Bill Mole was unlucky not to equalise for Side when he dragged a shot over from the edge of the box. It wasn’t an easy chance but the midfielder might feel he should have hit the target.

Two minutes short of the half-hour mark, Bowers’ doubled their lead in one of the strangest ways imaginable. A freekick into the box found its way to Matt Cope in goal. With the penalty box still crowded the goalkeeper attempted to kick the ball upfield only for it to hit Bowers’ Nicky Judd straight in the chest and rebound into the net, much to the embarrasement of Cope. Bowers’ saw out the remainder of the half to claim a healthy half time lead.

For Side to have any chance of a comeback, they needed to score a goal early on in the half. Good work by striker Sean Thomas gave them a great chance to do that but Mole dragged a shot wide of the post from inside the penalty area. Thankfully for Mole his miss was forgotten moments later when Thomas pulled a goal back after a corner. The striker doing well inside the box shooting home after a header fell right into his path.
Side almost equalised moments later when Dave Cooper saw a header from a freekick saved by Paul Horwood in goal. Moments after that good work from Ross presented Thomas with a chance, but after a sharp turn his shot was tipped away by Horwood well at his near post.

With both teams making changes in the final twenty minutes of the game, both sides had chances to score. Thomas had a header clip the top of the bar for Side following a corner at the back post and Ryan Imbert was unlucky not to score as his shot went just wide of the post.

Bowers’ unlike Side took their chances and late on scored twice to rub salt in the hosts wounds. Good work from Gillam and Purcell found Rob Collins in space outside the area. The defender looked up and drove the ball into the top corner for the third. Deep in injury time after Cope misjudged a ball into the box Jamie Salmon scored from a tight angle to end the game on a high for the visitors. A bad result for the hosts who will look to bounce back in their next le ague fixture at home to Basildon.

Barkingside: Matt Cope, Dave Cooper, James Hughes, Terry Scotchmer, Alex Carter, Bill Mole, Jamie Davis, Bradley Ross, Sean Thomas, Ryan Imbert, Dave Brewington
Bowers & Pistea: Paul Horwood, Neil Marron, Rob Collins, Del Birkett, Ben Cook, Jamie Salmon, Luke Purcell, Nathan Evans, Michael Hart , Craig Gillam, Nicky Judd
Barkingside 1 (Sean Thomas 57) Bowers & Pitsea 4 (Craig Gillam 13, Nicky Judd 28, Dave Cooper 86, Jamie Salmon 90)

For all the latest news on Barkingside visit Time FM http://1075.timefm.com/?s=i0n4l8&p=26
or Barkingside FC http://www.barkingsidefc.co.uk