More disappointmant for Blues’ boss O’Shea in cup competitions

Barking manager Mick O’Shea thought he was stating the obvious when he said he was disappointed with his side’s exit from the FA Vase at Stanway Rovers on Saturday.

It was due to be a home tie for the Mayesbrook Park side, but they had conceded the advantage as the adjacent Jim Peters Stadium was in use for Invictus Games events.

“We did our bit for Prince Harry, and we were pleased to do our bit for a very good cause,” said the manager.

“Naturally, I was disappointed with the result first and foremost, but I was not disappointed with the effort of my lads. For the first 20 minutes or so, I thought we were in the game more, but then Stanway scored with their first real chance of the match.”

A long free kick was flicked on towards Stanway’s Richard Meadows, who hit a spectacular volley goalwards leaving Barking’s keeper Wayne Baker no chance.

“To be fair, it looked a worldy, but perhaps it was a bit of a speculative effort,” said O’Shea.

Barking had a chance to equalise two minutes later when Chaz Liddiard chipped the keeper, but unfortunately also chipped the bar.

Ten minutes after that, Blues’ Tom Jeffes set Sam Owusu through, and as he rounded the keeper on the edge of the box, he was pulled back, resulting in a penalty for the Blues.

“There was some confusion,” said O’Shea, “the ref booked another of their players, but then his assistant intervened and the booking was given to their keeper.

“We thought that he should have had a red card and gone off, but it was just a yellow. However, Ryan Creed put it confidently away.”

Both sides continued to create chances, but it was Rovers who took the advantage just before half time to gain the advantage once again.

“We just didn’t defend another long ball into the box for their second goal,” fumed O’Shea, as Rovers went in ahead at the break.

Both sides had their chances in the second period, but try as they might, Barking could not break down their opponents as they suffered another cup defeat.