Essex Senior League: Barking 1 Bowers 0
Barking’s joint player-managers Glen Golby and Steve Willis played key roles in their slender win against title rivals Bowers at Mayesbrook Park.
Golby was forced to don the gloves as an emergency keeper and saved a second-half penalty on his way to keeping a clean sheet, which extended his shutout streak to 315 minutes.
And Willis came up with the only goal of the game, heading in a free-kick on the hour.
Bowers made a bright start and a deep cross from Alfie Hilton was put behind at the far post by a home defender, but Barking went close when James Peagram was played onside, only to see Martyn Guest block his shot.
Bowers captain Scott Pethers sent a long-range effort over the crossbar as the two sides battled on a heavy pitch, but Dan Trenkel had to head a dangerous Barking cross behind as Peagram lurked.
Ben Bradbury fired just wide when a deflected cross fell at his feet in the box, before Willis put a free header well wide of the target.
But Blues had to defend well to deny Chris Bryan as he looked to profit from a long throw at the other end just before the interval.
Trenkel hit a post after the restart, before the deadlock was broken on the hour when Willis sent a looping header from a free-kick over the backpedalling Guest to put Barking in front.
And Golby, who once saved a penalty as a stand-in keeper for former club Aveley to help them win promotion to the Ryman Premier Division, then produced a superb save to keep out a Bowers spot-kick and preserve his side’s lead.
Barking could have extended their margin of victory during stoppage time, but hit the post and crossbar as it ended 1-0.
Barking: Golby, Tarbard, Foster, Taylor, O’Brien, Harvey, Bradbury, S Willis, Peagram, Pearman, Staunton. Subs: Rix, Barlow, Hawkins, Elbi.
*****
Clapton 1 London Bari 0
Clapton climbed up to eighth place and leapfrogged their derby rivals thanks to a slender success at the Old Spotted Dog.
A first-half goal from Abdeen Abdul proved enough to secure the points for Michael Walter’s men in front of a crowd of 362 as Tons made it three games unbeaten since ending a six-game losing streak.
Bari will look to bounce back when they visit Greenhouse on Wednesday.
Clapton: Diagne, Barry, Ahmed, Bogdan, Moore, Ocran, Jairette, Oshin, Makuna, Cook, Hunter. Subs: Corrall-Cooper, Ryan, Aylett, Haines, Henderson.
*****
Ilford 4 Tower Hamlets 0
Wale Odedoyin maintained his fine goalscoring form with a double as Ilford took the spoils at Cricklefield Stadium.
Recent recruit Odedoyin had netted a hat-trick to help the Foxes to a 3-1 win at Wadham Lodge in their final outing of 2015.
And the former Romford and Barking striker was at it again, netting either side of the break for Allan Fenn’s men in their east London derby.
Carl Mulling added a second-half brace to make it three wins in a row for Ilford, while Ade Abayomi’s Hamlets slipped to a third defeat in four outings.
They will hope for better when they host Hullbridge on Monday, while Ilford visit title-chasing Basildon United on Tuesday.
Tower Hamlets: Biscoe, Earle, Rowe, Ndao, Lazoio, Ogunoile, Baffour, McLean, Chiekh-Sadibou, Wasiu, Bello. Subs: Abalo, Agala, Paul, Miller, Traore.
*****
Sporting Bengal 1 Sawbridgeworth 2
Tunde Adewunmi’s goal was little consolation as Sporting Bengal fell to defeat at Mile End Stadium.
Leading scorer Adewunmi claimed his 16th goal of the season nine minutes from time, but the visitors had seen Mitchell Das open the scoring five minutes before half time and Matt Hurley double their advantage on 80 minutes and were able to hold on for the points.
Sporting boss Anwar Uddin tweeted: “Not the best start to 2016 for @SportingBengal, we’re still in the festive spirit by gifting a good team 3 points.”
*****
Wadham Lodge 5 Newham 1
Newham fell to their fifth defeat in seven outings as Lodge ran out comfortable winners.
Harry Honesty’s goal put the home side ahead at half time and he doubled their lead on 55 minutes.
Ashley Bankole made it 3-0 on 65 minutes, before Francisco Etame Makela hit back for the visitors.
But Lodge made sure of the points as Charlie Georgiou bagged a late brace to complete their nap hand.
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