Erith Town’s London Senior Cup run ended with defeat against Barking.

However, the competition gave manager Adam Woodward the opportunity to give senior football experience to some youth team players and four seventeen year olds were in the starting line-up alongside regular first team starters.

In miserable weather conditions, the Dockers could not have made a worse start and were one down within five minutes. Goalkeeper Jack Moore came out, but James Folkes got there first and rounded him before showing great composure to pass it inside the post as two defenders got back onto the line.

After not making the most of a couple of opportunities to create chances, Erith levelled in fine style. Jack Miles played it out to Steadman Callender, and he eased his way in before curling his shot superbly into the top corner.

Markos Tourikis got on the end of a good Barking move, but Moore made a good block with his legs then Barking goalkeeper Finley Thackway pulled off a similar feat to block Harry Gamble’s shot.

Michael Power fired over from twenty-five yards for Erith before George Okoeye set up a great chance for Kieran Jones, but he headed straight at Moore.

Folkes, Okoye and Adeyemi Ayodele all shot over as Barking finished the half strongly.

Both teams made a change at half time and exchanged half chances before Barking went back ahead midway through the second period. Kyle Cam launched a long throw that was flicked on for an unmarked Jones to side foot it into the net.

Callender came close with a shot that just missed the far post then he flicked on a good ball in, and Power thought he had finished well only to discover that he had strayed offside.

George Fairhead headed wide for Barking before Power laid it off for James Trueman, but his shot whistled past the post.

That was the Dockers’ last chance, and the visitors might have scored again but Troy Walters’ shot was bravely headed over his own goal by Miles.

Erith Town: Moore, Jeffrey, Wilson (Trueman 46), Chalker (Tobon 70), Mahal, Ash, Gamble, Miles, Power, Callender, Petkeyicius (Oduguwa 54).

Unused subs: Obasa, Lawrence.

Goal scorers: Callender (17)

Yellow cards: None

Barking: Thackway, Folkes, Williams, O’Brien, Jumo, Ayodele, Okoye, Jones (Fairhead 78), Walters, Tourikis (Oke-William 72), Salter (Cam 46).

Subs not used: MacDonald, Shaw. 

Goal scorers:  Folkes (5), Jones (67)

Yellow cards: Ayodele, Jones, Cam

Referee: Valentine Anekwe

Assistants: Abdul Olol and Joe Turnberry

Attendance: 64