BLUES DUMPED OUT OF CUP

After a six goal victory at Lodge Avenue last Saturday Blues were on the receiving end on their return against Barking who apart from one stunning goal gifted their hosts four of the goals. In a first half they had their fair share of possession and but for home stopper James Shaw could have gone in at the break on level terms, the keeper making two vital saves to deny Blues. Unfortunately the second period started badly with a goal just two minutes into the half and got progressively worse with some schoolboy defending. Paul Joynes made five changes from Saturday but this should not be seen as a mitigating matters such was the disappointing second half performance.

It was a lively opening with both teams looking to attack, Barking were first to threaten when Danny Sambridge was called into action saving well. Alarm bells were ringing early on though , Barking looked menacing going forward with pace and energy and edged in front on 11 minutes. A ball into the box was picked up by Macca Joynes but instead of aiming for row Z he only managed to find a Barking forward inside the box who fed Freddie Parker gleefully sweeping the ball home.

Blues responded well after the setback, Aron Gordon hit a cross come shot deceiving Shaw only to see the ball bounce onto the woodwork and scrambled away. Jimmy Smith tested Shaw with a fierce shot, the keeper doing well to turn the ball behind.

The hosts still looked threatening on the break giving Lance Akins a torrid time and exposing his lack of first team football, but Blues stuck at their task and were rewarded on 36 minutes when Gordon seized on a poor back pass laying the ball back to Smith who made no mistake burying the ball past Shaw .

Five minutes later and Barking took the lead a quick break the ball was swept out to the Parker unmarked inside the box, firing past the exposed Sambridge.

HT 2-1

Blues were out early at the start no doubt eager to get back on level terms, but it was not to be. Just two minutes in a hopeful ball down the flank saw Akins trying and failing to shield the ball but only resulting in conceding a corner, from which ex Blue James Folkes rose unmarked and unchallenged to plant a firm header past Sambridge.

Now with a mountain to climb it was a test of Blues character which only some on the park passed. Barking with the two goal advantage held sway playing with real intensity which Blues could not contain.

Gordon, who was the pick of Blues players continued to work hard and supplied a low cross to Anointed Chukwu who summed up Blues evening when the ball reached him two yards out but somehow he managed to balloon the ball into the air and the chance was lost.

The game was done and dusted in a shocking seven minute spell. A long ball found Parker who fed Charlie Heatley unmarked in acres of space crossing to Parker who had the simplest task to beat Sambridge on 61 minutes and complete his hat trick. Six minutes later it was five , yes it was a screamer from Tom Salter but not for the first time Blues parted like the Red Sea to allow him the time and space.

With nothing to play for than their pride Blues tried to salvage something from a dismal evening, Chukwu did test Shaw again but that was it as far as goal threats. Barking could have scored a sixth but only desperate last ditch blocks saved Blues further humiliation.

So another Cup exit and another insipid display, it seems Blues just don't perform in these one off encounters, however in any season results like this happen and the one consolation is that it wasn't a league game which would have been more damaging. They must now lick their wounds and prepare for another tough encounter with Covo's Great Wakering this Saturday.

Sambridge, McQueen, Joynes (Knight), Okonkwo, Akins, Moncur, Paxman(Brown), Smith, Hahn (Dark), Chukwu, Gordon

Subs not used : Greek Melaugh,