Side Earn Heybridge Win

The result sees Side move up to 20th in the Ryman League North.

The opener came 20 minutes in, a perfectly flighted free-kick from 25 yards by captain Joe Bricknell was headed home by Joe Ellul. That was no more than Barkingside deserved.

Greg Akpele had been having lots of joy down the right hand-side and it had looked like the goal was coming. It was Akpele’s link up play down the right flank that gave Riggers Kabashi a chance from 20 yards out early on. It was a sharp and fast start form Side.

Aside from the creativity of Akpele and Kabashi, what’s also pleasing about the team’s set up is Dan Cossington and new signing Jake Giddings’ partnership in midfield. Cossington is the organiser and ball winner while Giddings distributes the ball across the park or drives forward when in possession. Barkingside currently look like a team.

Lapses remind you of course why Side are fighting relegation this season, a poor back pass almost allowed Billy Hunt to level after half an hour.

In the second half, a strong Danny Hayes ran the length of the pitch with the ball before playing in Greg Akpele who twisting and turning, unleashed a shot that tested Danny Sambridge in the Heybridge goal.

Akpele did eventually get the goal his performance deserved. The constant menace to the Heybridge backline hit a shot which squirmed under the body of Sambridge; a real howler with 17 minutes remaining. Greg Akpele went over to the stand to celebrate his goal with Manager Matt Frew who joined him Riggers Kabashi and Joe Bricknell on the touchline – team spirit personified.

Heybridge did pull one back in stoppage time to blot the copybook but Barkingside saw the game out.

You have to go back to February 2012 for the last time Barkingside won three games on the trot in the league. Back then the club were in the Essex Senior League which underlines the club’s achievements recently.

Barkingside who visit Romford at the weekend will do so without Kabashi who has been called up by England Schoolboys under-18 side for the first time, a testament to his performances in the blue of Barkingside.

Match report by Kris Bramwell.