Barkingside's Jordan Tolan scored their goal in the 1-1 draw with Clapton on Tuesday night.

Frew a happy man as Barkingside start with a four-point return

Colin Munford Thursday, August 9, 2012
6:04 PM

Four points out of a possible six from opening two games for Barkingside.

Barkingside manager Matt Frew is satisfied with the start his side have made, with four points out of a possible six in their opening Essex Senior League fixtures.

The Oakside outfit began the campaign with a 1-0 home win over Takeley on Saturday, with winger Dom Asamboa netting with an hour on the clock.

And on Monday, Frew saw his charges forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against Clapton at Oakside despite Jordan Tolan getting ’Side off to the perfect start with a goal after five minutes.

Though disappointed with the performance on Monday night, Frew was a happy man after the opening week.

“To be honest, getting four points on the board early on is a good start. I would have bitten your hand off to get four points from six beforehand,” he said.

“We played really well on Saturday and three points was a great start. On Monday it was difficult for the players playing two games in such a short space of time, especially so early on in the season.

“We played in fits and starts, 20 minutes here, 20 minutes there. I spoke to the Clapton boss after and he made five changes from Saturday and that seemed to work well for them.

“It’s maybe something I’ll have to look at if we ever have to play Saturday and Monday again.”

On Saturday, Barkingside open up their FA Cup campaign with a home tie against Great Yarmouth Town of the Eastern Counties Division One in the extra-preliminary round – a side that has also picked up four points from six in their opening games.

“It is nice to have a home tie, that’s for sure, but we are approaching it as though it is just another game,” added Frew.

“Sometimes when I have played in the FA Cup other managers have hyped it up and that hasn’t brought out the best in me and the rest of the players.

“There will be no pressure on the players on Saturday. If we get through then great, but if not, we just move on.”

The winners of that tie will pick up £1,000 prize money and face Ryman One North side Witham Town in the next round on August 25.

Barkingside are back in Essex Senior League action on Tuesday night, with a trip to Hullbridge Sports.