Chas Liddiard

Barking boss Alan Dickens has Vase hopes after recent return to form.

Barking manager Alan Dickens is leaving nothing to chance ahead of their home match against high-flying Dunstable Town in the first round of the FA Vase on Saturday.

The Mayesbook Park outfit have been in superb form of late, winning four and drawing one of their last six league and cup matches to leave them 12th in the Essex Senior League table, just six points adrift and with two games in hand of fifth place.

A tenacious 1-0 victory in the second qualifying round of the FA Vase against London Tigers booked their place in the first round proper and lit the touch paper for their recent hot streak and Dickens believes his men can carry that form into Saturday’s match.

Report

“We have had someone look at Dunstable who currently lead the Spartan South Midlands Premier League and have had a report back on how they play,” Dickens said.

“They are a good footballing side, but we have nothing to be frightened of and believe we can progress to the next round.

“The FA Vase is the biggest competition for the club with the next match worth £1,000 and the lads are all looking forward to it.”

Dickens has plenty of cause for optimism after Saturday’s 3-1 home win over Hullbridge Sports in the league where his men came from a goal behind and overcame the absence of a host of first-team regulars to clinch victory.

The visitors’ seventh-minute strike that opened the scoring was cancelled out 10 minutes later by a goal from Chas Liddiard, who has now bagged in excess of 50 goals for Barking’s first team.

The score remained 1-1 at the break, but the deadlock was broken on 63 minutes when Ben O’Brien scored.

Sean Crossley made sure of the three points when he bagged Barking’s third, three minutes from time.

“We were missing players again this week and we brought in players from the reserves and they all did well,” Dickens continued.

Great goal

“The boys worked hard and Chas Liddiard scored a great goal from 25 yards out.

“James Clarke played well. He has come on in place of Ricky Mackin who is on holiday and did well. He has not played a lot for us, mainly cup games.

“The midfield did well and it was a good all-round performance. It is always nice to see the new players come in and do well. It is good to know that we have got the players to choose from.

“We are not struggling for numbers and are climbing the table and if we can get another couple of wins we can put ourselves in a good position.”