Barking manager Mick O’Shea was pleased with the encouraging first half performance his side put in against Ryman One North outfit Maldon & Tiptree on Thursday, but was disappointed with one particular incident in the 4-0 pre-season loss at Mayesbrook Park.

Blues’ Sam Owusu was involved in a clash with Maldon goalkeeper Jack Giddens midway through the first half and it has been alleged that the goalkeeper bit the midfielder as they tangled on the floor.

The incident left a sour taste with O’Shea but he was pleased the Maldon manager Terry Spillane substituted the keeper at half time.

The Barking manager added: “There was a horrible incident in the first half, unsavoury.

“A bite is a bite at the end of the day and that really set a sour tone for the next 10 minutes and a few of our lads were a bit immature and lost their concentration.

“There is no point harping on about that but personally I thought their manager should have dragged him off straight away, that is my personal opinion.

“Terry did it at half time so you can say he has recognised it and fair play to him.

“I think the keeper knew as well, why would he say ‘I put my chin on him’ otherwise. I mean what is all that about? Why would you do that for?”

Aside from the controversy, Barking did impress during the opening 45 and O’Shea felt his side shaded proceeding.

He did admit that Maldon’s quality shone through in the end as the final 4-0 scoreline demonstrated, he said: “I don’t look for excuses I just don’t think we had the quality after 60 minutes with the changes I made.

“I would maybe, being me, say we shaded it first half and their bench was far more agitated than ours in the first period.

“But second half, being respectful to Terry’s boys, they kept the ball really well and their passing through our midfield and our back four was a bit more precise.”

The Barking boss reflected on the three pre-seasons games they have played so far against Ryman opposition and is satisfied with how they have performed.

O’Shea added: “We had a nice result (2-1 victory) against Romford on Tuesday and got a decent result (1-1 draw) against a quite demanding side in Tilbury last Saturday.

“We have played three Ryman sides in the space of five days and we have done it all.”