County Cups

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FansFocus.Com SENIOR CUP
 
 

BARKING   0 - 1   CONCORD RGS
 
A re-taken second-half penalty kick was all that separated Essex Senior League rivals Concord Rangers and Barking after a hard-fought FansFocus.Com Essex Senior Cup Second Round tie.

Barking, now playing under their seventh moniker, are one of the County's oldest clubs, having been formed originally as Barking Rovers in 1880. In their 128-year history, they have claimed the Essex Senior Cup on seven occasions, most recently in 1990, but their dreams of repeating that success must be put on hold for another season after a tumultuous night in East London.

Concord were visiting Mayesbrook Park having defeated their more illustrious opposition on just one previous occasion, a 4-1 win in 2006/7 after the Blues found themselves relegated from the Southern League. They had never tasted victory before at this venue and for much of the first 45 minutes it appeared that their woeful record would continue.

Ben Bradbury's early corner was flicked on at the near post and Manzeidi Mbala sent his diving header just over the crossbar for the hosts. Mbala then turned provider, setting up Bradley Barnes to warm goalkeeper Phil Skelton's gloves.

Forward Wayne Vaughan almost gave Barking the lead on 19 minutes when his speculative 30-yard effort bounced off of the top of the crossbar with Skelton beaten. Meanwhile, in a rare break forward, Rangers also rattled the woodwork, Nicky Cowley's curling shot touched onto the outside of the right-hand post by the faintest touch from Dan Trenkel.

The half ended with a flurry of yellow cards from referee Mark Tweed, many the result of aggressive play from the two sides following the defection of former Concord manager Eddie Crace to Lodge Avenue to act as assistant to Rod Stringer.

Mbala fired across the face of goal just minutes into the second period, but a sign of the visitors' greater confidence was shown when Danny Heale's swinging shot connected with the side-netting.

Just after the hour, Nicky Wettner's fierce shot bounced out of Skelton's hands, though former Canvey Island frontman Vaughan could only slash the rebound over the crossbar. At the other end, Earl Sterling's goalbound touch was easily claimed by Adam Rafis in the Barking goal.

The decisive moment arrived 18 minutes from the end when the referee spotted a shove in the Barking penalty area. Cowley saw his initial spot-kick saved by Rafis, but skipper John Maskell was adjudged to have encroached into the area and was cautioned for a second time. After he had been sent off and Stringer spoken to, Cowley calmly drove the ball low into the bottom left-hand corner, even though Maskell again guessed correctly.

Both Cowley and Heale saw efforts ruled out in the last ten minutes for offside, but Barking refused to give up and Essex Under 18s Representative defender Gary Ogilvie headed Ryan Doyle's header off of the line before the latter's free-kick flew inches over the crossbar in stoppage time as the homesters sought in vain for an equaliser.

Barking: Adam Rafis, Darren Bennett (Billy Sendall, 63), James Hughes, Ryan Doyle, John Maskell, Nicky Wettner, Ben Bradbury, Jamie Murat, Wayne Vaughan (Jimmy Noakes, 80), Manzeidi Mbala, Bradley Barnes (Victor Omobeghin, 80). Unused Substitutes: Keith Rowlands, Chris Wheeler.

Concord Rangers: Phil Skelton, Sam Ing, Gary Ogilvie, Nicky Cowley, Kevin Mully, Dan Scopes, Earl Sterling, Dan Trenkel, Michael Begg, Danny Heale, Danny Hayzelden (Ashley Hawkins, 75). Unused Substitutes: John Heffer, Richard Bastin, Gary Ewers, Danny Cowley.

Bookings: Barking: Wettner (35, dissent), Maskell (45, unsporting behaviour), Doyle (71, unsporting behaviour), Maskell (72, unsporting behaviour). Concord: Cowley (32, dissent), Mully (60, unsporting behaviour), Scopes (62, dissent).

Sent Off: Barking: Maskell (72, second bookable offence).

Attendance: 73.

Referee: Mark Tweed (London).

Assistant Referees: Graham Horsler (Tilbury) and Thomas Brooks (Dagenham).

Man Of The Match: Nicky Cowley (Concord Rangers) - Kept his nerve when it mattered to score the decisive goal, whilst also being at the forefront of much of Concord's better play. A good all-round display from Rangers' Assistant Manager.