THIS EVENING’S MATCH PREVIEW – LONDON BARI (HOME) – LONDON SENIOR CUP KO 7.45PM

The London Senior Cup has that wonderful habit of drawing together clubs from all spectra of the capitals footballing community, tonight no exception.

Tonight Champion Hill welcomes London Bari for their maiden visit to East Dulwich.

London Bari reached this stage of the London Senior Cup (sponsored by Coventry Scaffolding) in curious circumstances. Having upset the odds to dump the Met Police out of the competition at the first round stage, Bari winning a penalty shootout after the boys in blue had snatched a draw with an equaliser in the TENTH minute of stoppage time, they found themselves paired with AFC Wimbledon. The original date in December was postponed with the tie switch to AFC Wimbledon’s ground at Kingsmeadow. That game too was postponed and after much protracted delay the Dons withdrew from the competition setting up this evening’s clash.

London Bari Football Club was originally established in 1995 and played in the South Essex Football League until 1998. After leaving, the club joined Division One of the Asian League following a two-year sojourn from competitive football. Just four years ago London Bari were playing Sunday football but after winning the Essex Corinthian Sunday League in 2012, they successfully applied to join the Essex Senior League, competing alongside the likes of Clapton FC and FC Romania. Alongside the First Team, the club have been active in prompting community football with junior, youth, ladies and veterans’ teams and even a Legends squad!

London Bari made a strong start to life in the Essex Senior League, finishing 10th in the 19 team division. However, the dreaded Second Season Syndrome afflicted Bari in 2013/2014 as they managed to pick up just three wins all season, finishing in bottom spot 12 points adrift of Southend Manor. A lack of goals was key to a season where Bari won just once away from their adopted home at Clapton FC’s Old Spotted Dog ground.

That disastrous campaign led to change in the Bari hot seat with Chairman Kashka Anthony Ray bringing in Christopher Davis-Emokpae as team manager to turn things around. Though never challenging the 2014/2015 season saw a marked improvement as the club finished in 15th spot. The season also saw the club mark its debut in the FA Vase, but unhappily they found themselves on the wrong end of a 4-1 thrashing in the Second Qualifying Round at the hands of Suffolk side Haverhill Borough of the Eastern Counties League.

The current campaign has seen London Bari continue to build on those foundations with club currently well placed in the Essex Senior League Premier Division, though some way off the pace of current leaders FC Romania. Bari hold on to 9th spot at the time of writing but with a couple of games in hand over most of the teams above them. They also boast the second meanest defence in the division, their 26 goals conceded in 25 outings only bettered by Bowers & Pitsea with 19 in 20 games.

On the national stage that defensive stinginess evaporated though it was not until the last 19 minutes that the floodgates opened in the FA Vase First Qualifying Round trip to Ipswich Wanderers. 2-0 on 71 minutes became 7-0 at full time as another trip to Suffolk ended in disappointment. Bari’s debut in the FA Cup at the Extra Preliminary stage also sent them off to Suffolk, this time to face Long Melford reigning champions of the Eastern Counties First Division. Their opponents had not won an FA Cup tie for more than a decade. After bettering their opponents for much of the first half, an early goal conceded at the start of the second half proved the platform for a 3-0 defeat.

Since the turn of the year the weather has played havoc with the fixture list after numerous matches in the Essex Senior League fell by the wayside. A single goal from Abdeen Abdul proved enough to secure the points in the Old Spotted Dog derby as Clapton secured the points in the New Year fixture. Bounceback as Bari won 3-1 in another derby encounter against Sporting Bengal United with Andy Greenslade bagging a brace and Junior Decker chipping in with the other. However back-to-back home games were lost to the weather as Bari were set to host Newham for a midweek derby and Enfield 1893 were meant to visit. Poor weather forced both to be postponed.

The club finally got back on the pitch to host Bowers and Pitsea, but were overwhelmed as a second half blitz saw the Essex side run out 4-1 winners. Hosting Hullbridge Sports, London Bari seemed to on the brink of victory only for their opponents to level late to make it 2-2 at the last blast of the whistle. Picking up the backlog as the games came thick and fast Bari staying the course making it three wins in five league matches. After beating Enfield 1893 2-1 last Wednesday they earned a 3-1 triumph at Southend Manor on Saturday following goals from Joel Appiah, Toheeb Oloyede and Babajide Sonupe.

Bari hoped to keep the winning run going but once more the weather thwarted them. Leading Barking through Junior Appiah’s goal at halftime, Bari found themselves frustrated as After coming out to inspect the rain lashed Old Spotted Dog pitch after half time, the officials decided it was unsafe to carry on for the second period. Saturday’s scheduled trip to Takeley was similarly a victim of the elements, the game postponed due to an unplayable pitch a fate that also befell the Hamlet’s trip to Brentwood Town in the Ryman League.

This evening’s game kicks off at 7.45 pm at Champion Hill Stadium, Edgar Kail Way, East Dulwich, London SE22 8BD. A reminder that the game must be decided on the night and should the teams be level at the end of the 90 minutes, no extra time will be played. Instead the winner will be decided by kicks from the penalty mark. The winners of the tie will travel to either Tooting and Mitcham United or Harrow Borough who play their quarterfinal on Tuesday 10th March.

The turnstiles will be open from approximately 6.00 pm with refreshment facilities available in the ground for early arrivals. Before the game why not enjoy a drink or snack in our cosy clubhouse with live sport on the big screens, conveniently situated just a short walk from the turnstiles?

ADMISSION PRICES

• £5 for Adults
• £2 for Concessions (Seniors - 60+, Under 18s, Unemployed (JSA), Full Time Students and Members of the Armed Forces and Blue Light Services. PLEASE present valid ID)
• Under 12s FREE accompanied by a paying adult.

Please remember Season Tickets are NOT valid tonight.

Correct change would be appreciated in order to speed admission. Many thanks!

Programmes: £1-00