Ryman North: Thurrock 5 Barkingside 0

Barkingside conceded four second half goals to suffer to a heavy defeat at Ship Lane to Thurrock but only after an excellent opening 45.

Side dominated the opening exchanges of the match and although they were restricted to long range efforts they looked in control.

However, Ross Wall’s goal a minute before the break changed the whole complexion of the second 45 and Matt Frew’s team suffered an emphatic loss.

Matt Frew made two changes to the side beaten at Harlow Town, as Tom Davie and Joe Bricknell came in for Lewis Francis and Dion Polius.

Although Thurrock won a free kick inside the opening minute, it came to nothing and Barkingside started to impose themselves on the game.

The visitors failed to make the most of three corners in quick succession before Davie had the first effort of note in the 14th minute but it flew well wide.

John Bricknell went in the book shortly afterwards for catching Fleet’s Lewis Clark late before the hosts finally tested Chris Clark through Mark Onyemah.

Barkingside’s goalkeeper easily saved though as the away team continued to grow in confidence as the half went on.

Right-back Dan Hayes was enjoying lots of freedom and forced Thurrock goalkeeper Andy Walker to parry away his low, skidding shot.

Steve Carvell nearly produced the first goal nine minutes before half time but his cross just evaded Bricknell, who had started the move with an excellent dribble.

Fleet’s Brad Warner was fortunate to remain on the pitch just before the break when he grabbed Hayes off the ball and chucked him to the ground, but the incident wasn’t seen by any of the officials.

And then a minute before half time all Barkingside’s hard work was undone when they switched off and allowed Lewwis Spence too much time on the ball.

Thurrock’s captain brought the ball forward and slide a pass into the path of Ross Wall and he chipped past Clark for the opener.

It was harsh on Frew’s team but they came out inspired after the break and would have leveled but for Thurrock’s Walker.

First Carvell was played through on goal, despite looking way offside, but Walker was able to push his effort wide.

And Poku nearly scored from the resulting corner, but Walker clawed his close range shot away.

A sickening clash of heads occurred between Barkingside’s Dan Callaway and Fleet’s Onyemah 12 minutes into the half and it would prove decisive.

Onyemah had already come onto the pitch before Callaway was able to return after being bandaged up.

However, the referee wouldn’t allow the Barkingside defender on and play continued before Thurrock punished Side.

Abs Thompson skipped past Bricknell on the right before running into the box and smashing into the top corner to double the home sides advantage.

Side players remonstrated with referee Sam Lewis after the goal but the incident had gone and they found themselves two behind.

Frew’s team continued to play their football and Carvell was unlucky to have a shot blocked by team mate Poku.

Thurrock well and truly put the game to bed minutes after that chance, though, when substitute Louis Hazelwood won his side a penalty kick.

The forward burst past two Side players before Corey Ellis dived in and brought him down just inside the box.

Referee Lewis pointed to the spot and Hazelwood picked himself up and slotted into the top corner to make it 3-0.

Poku nearly reduced the arrears 13 minutes before full time when Carvell and substitute Andy Edmunds combined but Fleet keeper Walker and two Thurrock defenders blocked the forwards effort.

Six minutes from time and Fleet added a fourth when Barkingside’s high line was caught out and Wall went through and dinked past Clark.

That was harsh on Frew’s team, especially after an excellent first half, but more was to come as Onyemah soon got in on the act.

Thompson beat his man and crossed in from the byline and Onyemah jumped highest before nodding past Clark to make it 5-0 and conclude the scoring at Ship Lane.

Barkingside: Clark, Hayes, Bricknell (Edmunds 60), Ellis, Callaway, Cossington, Davie (Francis 73), Bricknell, Carvell (Taylor 78), Gulfer, Poku.

Unused substitutes: Pitman, Onireti.