The final game of a long season took place at Aveley FC as Redbridge and Barking locked horns in the final of the Errington Challenge Cup.

Redbridge were playing their third game in the last seven days after securing promotion and winning the Peter Butcher Memorial Trophy whilst Barking were looking to get one over on their opponents who had already defeated them on three occasions already this season.

In front of a healthy 377 audience the away side came straight out the blocks as Sa Sean Lutumba saw his cross come shot fly wide.

At the other end and Brian Moses thought he was through on goal but a late raised flag on the near side stopped the striker from getting a shot in.

It was an even start to proceedings with neither side really able to dominate, Jess Norey with a chance for Barking but his effort was always rising and flew well over the bar.

Redbridge came forward down the right, Abs Thompson putting over a low cross looking for Solomon Ogunwomoju who came racing onto it however Harvey Simpson in the Barking goal got well behind it to make the stop.

Ogunwomoju went close just after as he looked to lift the ball over Simpson but was unable to keep his shot down and it lifted over the wrong side of the bar.

The Motormen then failed to clear their defensive lines allowing Ahmed Abdulla the chance to shoot however he dragged his effort wide of the upright.

The game became a little niggly with Barking conceding a series of free kicks as first Ogunwomoju and then Moses were both halted in their tracks as they made runs on goal.

Barking saw a header go over from a free kick before a good move from Redbridge saw Joe Elliott spray a ball over to the right finding Thompson who crossed into the middle trying to find George Purcell who timed a run towards the near post but unable to find the target from close range.

Into the second period and Barking were once again quick out the blocks, they showed their attacking intent winning an early corner which came to nothing. Redbridge then broke up field on the counter attack but wasted the opportunity and the chance had gone.

Darnell Baxter-Alleyne then tried his luck from distance which Wheatley was happy to allow the ball to drop wide of his post.

From a corner Redbridge almost went in front when the ball looked to drop in at the far post but however he sailed wide out for another corner kick.

Barking looked to the bench bringing on ex Motorman Tim Ogunrinde and he was immediately involved as he looked to curl the ball into the far corner but his shot flew wide of the upright

It was now Barking looking the more dangerous of the two sides, Eljay Worrell blasted a free kick into the wall before they almost worked their way into the box and it required Elliott to head behind for a corner.

Redbridge sub Reuben Campbell then won his side a free-kick which Jack Chawner floated into the box which found Moses who volleyed over however he was deemed to be in an offside position.

Norey was allowed to carry the ball forward and he decided to try his luck which was off target before from an Elliott long throw goalkeeper Simon came to collect however dropped the ball almost presenting a chance for Redbridge but he had his defenders to thank for clearing the danger.

With the clock ticking down towards extra time both sides had one final chance, Jamie Price firstly fired a powerful drive which was not too far off target before Barking almost won it at the death as Ogunrinde cut inside Tayo Josh Olukolu and saw his curling effort hit the bar and fly to safety.

The full time whistle blew signalling an extra 30 minutes of extra time, Barking were defending well preventing the Motormen from creating any meaningful chances and it was indeed the Blues who took the lead when from a corner Kenedi Dariri got in front of his defender to head home in a crowded penalty area.

Understandably tiredness was now starting to creep in and therefore substitutes were to play a key part in the final third of the game, it was one of those substitutes Loui Hazlewood who took advantage when from a free kick he curled a fine dipping free kick which sailed over the line hitting the bar on it’s way, at first nobody was sure if the ball had indeed crossed the line but the referee signalled it had done so and the Redbridge players celebrated the equalizer.

Into the final 10 minutes now and fellow substitute Ibrahim Kehinde went for the spectacular as he volleyed wide whilst Barking then saw themselves reduced down to ten men when Norey was dismissed for a late tackle on the far side.

Three additional minutes of added time came and went before the whistle went meaning we would head into a penalty shoot out.

Redbridge stepped up first scoring their kick before Wheatley made a fine save from Barking’s first attempt, Barlow then missed his kick before everyone else scored their kicks taking us into a tense sudden death. Unfortunately someone had to miss and that player was Jamie Price who blasted over allowing Daniel Brock to fire home and give his Barking side victory.

It was a tough defeat for Redbridge to swallow however they won’t allow themselves to be disappointed for too long as they can look back on a fantastic campaign.

report by Adam Silver