Joshua Brown reports on the end to Barkingside’s torrid season.
Barkingside have been relegated into the Essex Senior League after their weekend 1-0 home defeat to fellow relegated side Redbridge.
Jay Knight’s second half strike for the visitors ended any hopes of survival for the Sky Blues, in what has been a difficult season in which relegation has seemed inevitable.
Managing just six wins from 43 so far this season, Barkingside have endured a terrible time with more lows than highs.
The stretch of 18 games without a win between October and February was a major factor for relegation as ‘The Side’ struggled to rekindle any consistent form from this point.
A dramatic 3-2 home victory over relegation rivals Witham Town brought an end to the dismal run and triggered a run of three games without defeat.
While many believed the victory would transform their season, the 1-0 away defeat to Heybridge Swifts in early March dented any last hopes, as Barkingside failed to win since.
With three games remaining, Gus Gulfer and co will be looking to make sure they don’t finish bottom, whilst starting to build for next season with an automatic promotion in mind.
The official Barkingside Twitter account tweeted: “Ok now we are marked as going down we end the season strong and not finish bottom #RebuildForNextSeason #QuickReturn”
An instant return to the Ryman Division One North is not impossible for Barkingside next season. There is quality and potential in the side.
But the important factor will be the retention of players, especially key names such as Luke With and Michael Spencer.