The Yellows had the first shot on target after five minutes as Josh Gruby saw his bobbling shot from a narrow angle saved by Hullbridge stopper Bobby Mason. Hullbridge were the better side in the first half after that and went close quickly after with former Barking player Kieran Jones shooting wide.

Harvey Simson made an excellent save tipping over from a powerful effort just after the ten minute mark as a Hullbridge striker skipped in-between McQueen and Matangi before finding space in the box. Simson could do nothing ten minutes later but pray as another effort did beat him but it smacked the base of the post before he gratefully collected the ball.

The last chance of the first half did fall to Barking at the half hour mark as Ryan Pickles' shot from just outside the box crept wide of the post.

Hullbridge started the second half stronger but the Yellows forced Mason into his first save of note 16 minutes in as he tipped over Dixon's high shot. Simson was called into action five minutes later making an important save from a powerful effort that came in from a narrow angle. Gruby saw another shot from a narrow angle saved by Mason but as the game went on Barking struggled to release the pressure and had Charlie Thomson to thank after 82 minutes as he made a vital block after a cutback followed an incisive counterattack.

As the game entered the final stages it seemed that Hullbridge would get one final chance with the Yellows inability to keep the ball in the attacking phase and so it showed in the 87th minute as they split the Barking defensive line to set Fred Agyemang through on goal who slotted low under Simson to secure the three points for the home side.

We return home next Saturday afternoon (November 7) to meet Clapton Community FC for the first time at a senior level.