Essex Senior League: Tower Hamlets 2 Barking 2
Tower Hamlets threw away all three points when Barking substitute Mathew Ashwell took advantage of a defensive error and equalised in stoppage time at Mile End Stadium.
The hosts took the lead after 15 minutes through Patrick Lukondo, but Wale Odedoyin hit back for Barking to level before the break.
Hamlets restored their lead through O’Neal Rowe, who curled a free-kick into the top left hand corner, but Blues substitute Ashwell pounced on a misplaced pass and ensured the visitors came away with a share of the spoils.
Barking started the better of the two sides, with Kieran English creating a chance for Odedoyin, who sent his shot over the bar.
Tower Hamlets awarded Odedoyin possession of the ball in their third of the pitch, but a heavy touch allowed Sean Bazell to scoop the ball up into his arms.
The home side took the lead when Randell Williams received the ball in the box and teed up Lukondo who fired his shot high into the top right hand corner.
Soon after, Barking captain Ben O’Brien had a header cleared off the line from a corner, but the visitors continued to apply pressure and forced Bazell into making a double save from English and Odedoyin.
Blues equalised after 26 minutes when Luke Foster played a powerful low cross into the box towards Odedoyin, who guided the ball under the keeper.
But just before half time, Omar Rowe pressurised Barking goalkeeper Jason Willis into a rushed clearance and the ball hit Rowe, who controlled but put his shot over the bar.
The second half began with Barking’s Sipho Mtyanda having a shot heroically cleared off the line from a Billy Reynolds long throw.
Tower Hamlets’ frivolity with the ball then allowed Mtyanda to weave his way through the home defence and the winger laid the ball to English, whose shot was blocked, before Odedyoin pounced on the rebound and fired over the bar.
The home side regained the lead on 71 minutes with a perfectly-taken O’Neal Rowe free-kick, as he curled the ball into the top left hand corner to leave Willis helpless.
Tower Hamlets looked to have sewn up the three points as they enjoyed a comfortable spell of possession in the closing stages, but Barking got a dramatic equaliser in stoppage time which left Ade Abayomi’s young side devastated.
The home side gave possession away to Ashwell who dummied his way past his marker, cut inside on to his right foot and fired low into the far corner to send Barking home with a point.
Tower Hamlets: Bazell, Earle, Cedras, Abayomi (Lazolo 53), Miller, O’Neal Rowe, Lukondo, McClean (Ali 58), Omar Rowe, Ndao (Sumithran 74), Williams. Unused subs: Prezmecky-White, Bamba.
Barking: Willis, Ling, Reynolds, Turner, Golbuy, O’Brien, Foster (Ashwell 78), Staunton, English, Odedoyin (Nelson 64), Mtyanda (Creed 68). Unused subs: Killingback, Green.
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