Currently sitting in ninth position in the Essex Senior League, instant re-promotion is still possible for Barkingside although it seems a hard task.
With only one promotion spot up for grabs, Barkingside sit 18 points adrift of the top spot with league leaders Barking FC having a four-game advantage.
The stats do not look the best for the East London side, although manager Gus Gulfer can look back at the second half of the year with slight enthusiasm.
Having won just 11 competitive games throughout 2015, 2016 was more encouraging as they nearly doubled their tally with a total of 20 wins.
Key Players Lost
Relegation saw The Side lose key players from the previous season such as Tyrone Scarlett and Michael Spencer, the latter being so influential in a tough season.
Spencer managed 11 goals and a number of assists from midfield, acting as a great link between the midfield and strikers. Barkingside miss his presence in the middle of the park this season, but Jason Fontaine has emerged as a good replacement in his first campaign. Fontaine has been impressive with 27 appearances for Barkingside this season, notching six goals. The midfielder had some big boots to fill but seems to be excelling under pressure.
The frontline is still well lead by target man Luke With, complemented by the assistance of David Laird. The two have 18 goals between them so far this season and are working well to keep the hopes alive for The Side faithful. The 4-4-2 formation plays to the strikers advantage as some of the link up play can be likened to one of Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.
Clapton fans support in numbers during the Derby.
Impressive Performance
Barkingside have been involved in some mouth-watering matches over the course of the
year but none stand out more than November’s away derby victory against Clapton FC. The 0-1 win proved The Side have character and spirit when some may have doubted. An attendance of 483, predominately Clapton fans, watched Barkingside defend and counter brilliantly against an in-form team.
Having been without a win in five, Barkingside channeled the home support’s energy into their own performance handling the pressure and finishing one of their few chances through David Laird.
Leaky Defence
With a goal difference of 0, Barkingside have scored an impressive 50 goals in 28 games but have also shipped the same amount. This cause for concern means if The Side are to move up the table Paul Wright and co will have to tighten up the defence.
If Barkingside are to get anything positive out of this season it is crucial to beat the teams that lay around them in the table, and The Side have the perfect opportunity to achieve this in their next fixture.
Barkingside begin the new year with an away game against 7th place Hullbridge Sports, a team who ran out 1-2 victors in the opposite fixture earlier on this season.
Promotion is not impossible but is looking unlikely for Barkingside this year. Gulfer will be hoping not to lose any more key players so a bond is formed ensuring The Side become a real side.
