Blues brightened up a gloomy afternoon with another slick display in front of a large crowd to inflict further pain on relegation threatened Barking. The early signs were promising, making their now customary rapid start they went in front inside the first five minutes , Barking recovered to draw level but two further goals saw Blues going in at the break with a two goal advantage after controlling for long periods. Despite missing leading goal scorer David Knight and Lewis Clark they still looked potent up front and solid at the back illustrating the strength in depth now evident in the squad. The game also featured the introduction of youngster Josh Wright from the under 23s , he acquitted himself well in a cameo appearance always looking for the ball and looks another with a bright future and a potential first team regular.
The win extends their unbeaten league run to nine games, consolidates their playoff position at a crucial stage of the season and closes the gap on teams above.

From the kick off the Barking goal came under early pressure, Blues forcing a number of corners exposing frailties at the heart of the visitors back four, so it was no surprise when they opened the scoring from another corner on 4 minutes - Geoff Okonkwo nodding home unchallenged inside the six yard box.

It looked ominous for the visiting Blues who continued to soak up early pressure but they clawed their way back into the game helped by slack play. Okonkwo the hero was culpable when trying to bring the ball out of defence failing to clear effectively. Barking seized the initiative, a cross found the diminutive Kieran Jones, winning a free kick on the edge of the eighteen yard box he dispatched a curling shot past Danny Sambridge to bring the scores level on 11 minutes.

Stung by the setback Blues upped the pace and were rewarded just seven minutes later with a well constructed goal. A pinpoint Calum Leahy diagonal pass picked out the run of Joe Paxman, with a sublime first touch he turned his defender sending in a cross which a Barking head only cleared to Kai Brown, taking a touch he produced a decisive strike into the bottom corner past James Shaw.

The goal confirmed Blues dominance but they still had to be on their guard when a Barking break presented an opening for Osareti Otete but he failed to hit the target putting his shot wide of the woodwork.

The visitors vulnerability at set pieces came back to haunt them again when they conceded a third on the half hour mark . Another corner caused confusion leading to a goalmouth scramble, the ball eventually hacked clear to the waiting Lewis Dark his drive struck a Barking hand with Anointed Chukwu stepping up to convert the resultant spot kick.

It was left to Mitch Hahn just before the break to conjure up the last chance of the half testing Shaw from distance the keeper touching the ball behind.

HT 3-1

In similar vein to the first period Blues produced the first chance after the break when Brown fed Paxman firing over .

With a two goal advantage it wasn't surprising then that Blues intensity dropped off but they were also guilty of giving the ball away at times, loose passes failing to find a recipient allowed Barking to see more of the ball and territory, fortunately lack of a cutting edge ensured they failed to create a goal scoring opportunity.

The game was virtually over as a contest in the 63rd minute when Blues were awarded a second penalty resulting in what looked a harsh red card for Shaw. Brown latching on to a through ball burst between two defenders taking a touch he was in contact with Shaw tumbling to the ground, although it was a clear penalty it is debatable whether the keeper was the last man with defenders appearing to be able to cover. These decisions even out over a season with Blues on the receiving end on occasions. Now with Shaw departed popular ex Blue James Folkes donned the jersey and his first task was to pick the ball up from the back of the net from another Chukwu spot kick.

Creditably Barking battled away winning a corner, the ball was nodded on to sub Tom Salter but his effort was wayward not troubling Sambridge.

70 minutes saw a richly deserved goal for the mercurial Gordon and it was simplicity itself and finished clinically. From a Sambridge throw Gordon picked the ball up inside Blues half setting out on a driving run and unchallenged finishing with a low drive past Folkes despairing dive.

Facing ten men and the game beyond Barking Blues now resorted to keep ball, the earlier introduction of Jimmy Smith directing proceedings allowed them to play down the clock retaining possession leaving the visitors chasing shadows.

Barking did register a second goal just before full time and it was another ex Blue on the scoresheet Barney Williams, his 35 yard effort took Sambridge by surprise ,bouncing up beyond the keepers hand .

Next up is a trip to Suffolk to meet promotion chasing Stowmarket Town a game that will be challenging but not beyond a team who are on a formidable run. It will be an examination of their promotion credentials but one they are capable of passing given their current form and resilience.

Sambridge, Paxman, Daniel, Okonkwo (Smith 62), McQueen(Moncur 68), Dark, Brown, Leahy, Chukwu, Hahn (Wright 79),Gordon

Subs not used:Griek, Melaugh