Barking's Ben Jones has scored three goals in the last two games for the Blues Pic: Terry Gilbert

Dickens expects a close contest with Barkingside

Barking manager Alan Dickens envisages a close contest when local rivals Barkingside visit Mayesbrook Park for the FA Vase first qualifying round on Saturday.

Having already exited the FA Cup this season, the Blues will want to put their national cup form right this weekend and pick up some welcome prize money.

But Dickens believes Matt Frew’s Barkingside, who have won two of their first three Essex Senior League matches so far this season, will prove difficult opponents to overcome.

“It’s a big game,” he said. “There’s a local rivalry and Barkingside are always very competitive.

“We’ve got quite a big squad, but we always pick our best team and that won’t change for Saturday.

“We have always tended to cause them problems at their place and they have done well in the past at our ground, but hopefully this time, home advantage will help us.”