Side Exit Gordon Brasted Trophy

By Adam Dennehey

Barkingside lost on penalties at home to Takeley after a 2-2 draw, to exit the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy.

'Side put in a great spirited performance against opposition they lost to 7-0 last weekend, but fell to a 4-2 defeat on penalties to exit the competition in the first round.

Takeley blasted out of the blocks and were 2-0 up after 14 minutes. George Wappett putting them ahead after just six minutes, capitalising on a defensive slip from Akil Clarke before firing home.

The lead was doubled eight minutes later when Mick Barrett’s free-kick curled past ‘Side’s debutant keeper Wilkinson Boateng and into the net, as the visitors dream start continued.

It could have been worse for ‘Side shortly before half-time but Reece Barrett saw a goal ruled out for offside, after a lovely flowing move. Mithcell Das then saw a shot saved by Boateng as Takeley ended the half fully in control.

Ben Clarke and Bradley Gayer came on for ‘Side shortly into the second-half as Manager Michael Walther looked to freshen up his team. It had an immediate impact as Clarke forced Ronnie Yates into a smart save, giving Takeley something to think about.

Shortly after on 64 minutes ‘Side got on the scoresheet when a through-ball found Michael Ogboin, who kept his cool to score past Yates. It was the forward’s eighth goal of the season.

‘Side were now starting to believe and 12 minutes later they equalised. Euan Taylor Reid’s lovely dinked cross found Tony Cookey inside the box. He thumped the ball past Yates, scoring his 10th goal of the season in the process.

The game would be decided by penalties, despite both side’s best efforts to win the game in normal-time. Ogboin duly stepped up first to put ‘Side ahead, before Fred Burrell converted Takeley’s first spot-kick.

‘Side though were only able to score one further spot-kick as Cookey’s successful penalty came aside of a Gayer penalty that was saved by Yates and an effort that went wide from Bradley Joseph. The Barretts – Nick and Reece – and Andre Humphrey all scored successfully for Takeley as they won 4-2 on penalties.

They will now meet Hackney Wick at Clapton’s Old Spotted Dog Ground in the second round.

‘Side: Wilkinson Boateng, Akil Clarke, Michael Sherwood (Bradley Gayer), David Etcheri, Euan Taylor-Reid, Best Toke, Jayden Mitchell-Brown (Ben Clarke), Joe Newbold, Michael Ogboin, Bradley Joseph, Tony Cookey