London Bari face the camera

London Bari chairman Imran Merchant is determined to prove his club are no longer a Sunday League team

London Bari chairman Imran Merchant believes maximum points against Barkingside on Saturday will prove their doubters wrong.

Having made the jump from Sunday league football to the Essex Senior League this season, Bari have made a strong start with eight points from five games.

That included a 2-2 draw at highly-fancied Burnham Ramblers on Saturday, though they twice took the lead through Zubair Haleem.

But Merchant still feels many people believe they are not up to this standard, and is keen to put them in their place.

“Barkingside are always there or thereabouts in the league and a win against them will put us on the map,” said Merchant.

“People still think we are a Sunday league side, but I can guarantee we are in it for the long run.”

On Saturday’s draw, Merchant added: “There were a few mistakes at the back which cost us. We are drawing games at the moment that we should be winning and that has to change.”

Last week Bari progressed in the League Cup after a 5-0 demolition of Sawbridgeworth Town on their travels in the second leg following a 2-2 draw in the opener.

“That was quite a turnaround and it was our first clean sheet of the season as well,” said Merchant.

“We had lost to them in the league on the opening day of the season so it was nice to get a bit of revenge.”

Their scheduled clash with Clapton in the first leg of the next round was postponed last Tuesday due to the Paralympics, though the pair will try again next Tuesday.