Side manager happy with draw at Tilbury to boost Ryman North survival bid

Barkingside boss Gursel Gulfer believes his team were good value for their point after earning a 1-1 draw at mid-table Tilbury in the Ryman North.

Side went into the game buoyed by the confidence of having earned their first win since October last time out and had the ball in the net through Michael Spencer in the first half, only for the referee to rule it out for a foul.

The visitors did eventually take the lead through Spencer in the 63rd minute, but the Dockers hit back nine minutes later when Tony Martin struck to force a draw.

It was a result that saw Barkingside equal their best run of two games unbeaten in the league this season, and Gulfer was pleased with his team’s work at Chadfields.

“I felt it was a deserved point and maybe we did enough to take all three points too,” said Gulfer, who was sent to the stands during the match.

“Earlier in the season, Tilbury beat us 5-0 and 3-0 so it shows that we are moving in the right direction and I thought we outmuscled them on Saturday.

“Any point was going to be a bonus because of where the teams are, but I think we have done well in the last month. After pushing Sudbury hard, I told the boys not to fear anyone and they’re doing just that.”

There was a debut in goal for 17-year-old Tyler McCarthy, who is on loan from Dagenham & Redbridge, after regular keeper Darren Behcet suffered an injury ahead of the game.

McCarthy put in a performance beyond his years, pulling off a string of impressive saves to perhaps hand Gulfer a selection dilemma in the coming weeks.

The young stopper is not the only Dagger currently on loan at Barkingside, with team mates David Nicol-Wilson, Jimmy Shepherd, Darren Foxley and Kai Heather all also on work experience deals at Cricklefield Stadium.

And Gulfer has been pleased with the impact from all of the youngsters as Side look to avoid a return to the Essex Senior League.

“Tyler came in quite late, but he was superb playing against men and he was easily man of the match for me,” added Gulfer.

“All the lads who have joined from Daggers are doing well and with them, we’re starting to look a bit of a different team,”

“While I’m happy with how things have gone recently, but I know we still have to work hard to turn things around.”