Ten-man Side in second Waltham Abbey reverse

It definitely seemed a case of déjà vu for Barkingside boss Matt Frew after last night’s (Tuesday’s) 3-1 Ryman North defeat at Waltham Abbey.

For not only did his team lose by the same scoreline at the same ground on Saturday in the FA Cup, but they also ended the game a man short following red cards in both fixtures.

“We’ve been here before,” sighed the deflated boss. “Definitely a case of déjà vu for us, and not what I was hoping for at all.”

Joseph Ellul got his marching orders in the cup game on Saturday, while substitute Matt Waldron was the guilty party last night – both deserved according to their manager.

“We dominated the first period last night to be honest,” said the manager. “Their keeper pulled off some great saves to deny us but they never troubled or keeper.”

However, early in the second half, the visitors shot themselves in the foot when keeper Chris Clark kicked the ball straight to Abbey’s James Peagram who returned it with venom from the halfway line over the head of the retreating goalkeeper.

“We soon bounced back from that mistake and equalised about five minutes later through Dan Jones,” said the boss. But that didn’t last long when another defensive mix-up allowed them to take the lead again.”

Playing catch-up, Side were caught out once again and a tangle in the box saw them concede a penalty, which the home side greatly converted.

“There was a bit of a tangle of legs, but I can see why the ref gave it. Then, about five minutes from the end, substitute Matt Waldron got himself sent off, and the match was lost,” Frew concluded.