Report
It seems a strange thing to say but this game was a further marker of the improvements Leyton Pennant are making. Barking got a goal in the 23rd minute, an own goal which went in off a defender’s leg. They went two up 8 minutes later when Rose broke through the defence to score a good goal from close in. The Lilywhites got one back on 40 minutes when they won a free kick on the right outside the Barking penalty area. Tilley put in a hard high cross and Notley out leaped rest to score. Moments later they could have been level through a mirror situation from the left side but Fletcher headed just over.
The second half was proof of how good the defence has become. Dave Curtis in goal had a solid wall in front of him which Barking rarely got through. When they did, Curtis was there to save. The final Barking goal was a travesty of justice. The referee awarded Barking a penalty in the 90th minute for nothing stronger than a 50-50 robust challenge. This was no surprise as the referee had been conned by Barking throughout the match giving free kicks in a ratio of 80-20 to Barking. A very very poor performance indeed from Mr O’Keefe.