Mixed emotions for Barking boss

It was a case of mixed emotions for Barking boss Mick O’Shea, as his side drew 2-2 with Essex Senior League rivals Stansted on Saturday.

Blues had lost three in a row before hosting the struggling Airportmen, and although O’Shea was pleased not to lose a fourth consecutive game, he was frustrated not to clinch the three points he feels his side deserved.

He said: “We should have won it seeing that we were 2-0 up at half time and they were down to 10 men.

“We should have been out of sight but they managed to get one back and then nick a late one, so I look at it as a case where we won a point but lost two.”

Barking took the lead after 26 minutes when Theo Ola slipped in behind the defence to finish with ease.

And things got worse for the visitors after 40 minutes when Jake Buckland was given a straight red for impeding a Barking striker in the box.

Barking were subsequently denied from the penalty spot by a fine save from Stansted keeper Reece Paine, only to be awarded another spot-kick minutes later which this time was slotted home by Ola for his second of the afternoon.

Stansted’s fightback started with in the 65th minute, when a 22-yard strike from Chris Gibbs found the top corner and was completed when Gary Rowntree headed home from a free-kick on 78 minutes.

Despite his obvious frustration with the result O’Shea was impressed with Ola who has now scored three goals from his last two games.

He added: “He is playing well and has improved this year. He’s a good player who can score more, he’s certainly capable and now he’s got his confidence up and his shooting boots on we’ll hopefully see more.”

Blues travel to Bowers tomorrow (Tuesday) in search of their first league win in five games.

O’Shea’s men beat Bowers 4-0 at home in September, but the boss expects it to be a different game.

Although happy with a lot of what Barking are doing, O’shea says they need to focus on converting their chances, adding: “You always get different games with Bowers, that’s the league.

“I’m still disappointed with the losses to Haringey, they were close and we played well, but it is obvious to me that we need to strengthen the striking.

“It’s important that we are not getting hammered out of sight by other teams, most of the losses we’ve had very close score lines.

“Our work ethic is there but we just need to focus a little more on getting the finished product from the hard work.”

O’Shea feels it’s psychologically important to beat teams like Bowers who are currently a few places above them in the table, and is already thinking long term and planning for next season.

He said: “We want to finish as high as possible and with 12 games to go. We’ve already started speaking to some players who are interested in coming over to us next year.”