Ryman One North: Dereham Town 4 Barkingside 2

Despite a spirited performance Barkingside slipped to another defeat, going down to a strong Dereham Town side at Aldiss Park.

It was Side’s first game since a 1-0 loss at play-off hunting Heybridge Swifts 11 days ago. The game was made even tougher due to the fact ‘Side travelled up to Norfolk with only three players available on the bench, including none other than manager Matt Frew himself.

Dereham started the game on the front-foot putting the visiting defence under pressure. Leigham Stone in goal was busy making some stops from some crosses and the ‘keeper was supported well by his defence with Corey Ellis and Sean Crossley in particular making some good early blocks.

‘Side were looking good on the break with Danny Hayes and Tom Davie working hard to support lone-forward Brian Suchley. Lewis Francis, recently signed from Romford, was looking a real handful and the forward should have put ‘Side ahead but struck a shot inside the area narrowly over the bar.

But it was Dereham who took the lead in extraordinary circumstances when Adam Smith’s corner from the right deceived Stone who could only parry the corner into his own net. It could be argued that the strong-wind didn’t help the ‘keeper but it was one that Stone should have done better with.

‘Side’s Bobby Port picked up a booking for a foul on Dereham’s winger Danny Beaumont, but the home fans were angry that Port only got booked.

However on 36 minutes ‘Side equalised in bizarre circumstances. A long ball from the back caused confusion in the home-defence and left-back Gary Starling under pressure from Francis simply lofted the ball past his goalkeeper Will Viner and into the net.

Parity didn’t last long though and only a minute later Dereham were ahead when Luke Tuttle got on the end of a free-kick, with his shot deflecting off Port and past Stone.

It had been a fantastic half of football but Side weren’t finished and equalised on the stroke of half-time.

A long free-kick into the box was flicked on by Suchley into the path of Davie who went down under a challenge. The referee had no option but to give a spot-kick. Matt Gulfer kept his cool to hammer the ball straight down the middle of the goal for his sixth of the season.

Side started the second-half well despite Dereham hitting the post when a cross from the left ended with a Dereham player failing to bundle the ball home from close-range.

Matt Waldron almost capitalised on a weak clearance from ‘keeper Viner and was unlucky to see his powerful strike from 40 yards tipped round the post .

In the end though Dereham ultimately grabbed control of the game. Shaun Bammant fired the hosts back ahead following a scramble inside the area 14 minutes from time. Shortly after, Dereham went 4-2 up when Tuttle converted from the penalty-spot.

It was a controversial decision made by the referee as it appeared that Tuttle handled inside the area when holding off a challenge, with both Side’s players and management far from happy with the decision.

In the end though despite losing Side had played well with Lorenzo Ramsay and Calvin Poku making good cameos off the bench. Hopefully the weather can improve and Side can get back in action at home and pick up much-needed points.

Barkingside: Stone, Port, Mackin, Crossley, Ellis, Waldron, Hayes, Davie, Suchley (Ramsay), Gulfer, Francis (Poku).

Unused substitute: Frew.