After Saturday’s 0-0 draw in East London, the FA Cup Preliminary Round replay went right to the wire as a 1-1 had to be settled from the spot. Barking initially broke the deadlock through George Okoye before Town pulled one back through Leon Lobjoit.
As this tie continued from the weekend, 341 fans watched on. Leighton began brightly, with James Towell testing goalkeeper Dev Bhamra low to his left on 17’. Following this was the start of the game’s spree of bookings. Archie McClelland looked to be through before being pushed to the ground. The ref only opted for a yellow for the Barking defender.
Barking had ridden Leighton’s early pressure and possession well and moved into attack before the half hour mark. Countering a free kick, a Timothy Ogunrinde effort was only half blocked before George Okoye was on hand to tap in from close range.
Before half time, Barking continued a fine stretch of play and forced a top save from Xavi Comas. Not being caught out by a high looping header, the Spaniard was solid to save what looked like a certain goal on 42’.
After the break, Leighton weren’t to be deterred by the simple goal they were trailing to and Leon Lobjoit tied things up just nine minutes in to the new half. Kyle Connolly put in a brilliant cross from the left and Lobjoit nodded down to beat Bhamra at his back post. The goal looked to settle nerves as Leighton grew back into proceedings and sparked numerous attempts to take the lead.
On 67’, Archie McClelland forced a decent stop from Bhamra with a header. On 70’, Luke Pyman whizzed a volley low and left of the goal. Town looked to be hitting their stride before a perhaps questionable straight red card halted momentum. Half time substitute Kwai Marsh-Brown was the man to be dismissed five minutes before the end.
Extra time was a tense affair with substitutes, and further bookings, galore. It could be said Lee Bircham was working around the walking wounded this week, yet Town carried on to see out a nervy half hour as the game descended to penalties. Town converted first, before Barking returned the favour. Initially, Xavi Comas looked to have saved the first spot kick, yet the linesman ordered a retake – citing the goalie to be off his line. The spot kicks continued back and forth before at 2-2, Gary Connolly missed his penalty. Barking continued scoring, putting pressure on the substitute Lewis Toomey who unfortunately couldn’t convert.
The kicks ended 3-4 to Barking as they now progress and face St Ives Town in the next round. Leighton’s attention now turns to London Tigers at Bell Close in the FA Vase on Saturday.
LTFC XI: Comas; Towell, Connolly, Connolly (C), Goodman, Pyman, Cooper, Spaul, McClelland, Lobjoit, Turner.
Subs: Toomey, Marsh, Marsh-Brown, Harvey, Akinbobola, Silvestri.

Report by Max Bradfield