Essex Senior League: London Bari 1 Ilford 1

Newham Recorder: Action from one of London Bari's games from earlier this month (pic: Michael Zambonini)Action from one of London Bari's games from earlier this month (pic: Michael Zambonini) (Image: Archant)

London Bari claimed a late point from their Essex Senior League derby with Ilford thanks to a Jamal Jimoh penalty three minutes from time, cancelling out Glen Warwick’s first-half goal.

Ilford were in control of the game until Wale Odedoyin received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away 18 minutes from time.

And it got worse for the Foxes as they went down to nine men when Luke Thomas got his marching orders for what looked like dissent, after Bari’s late leveller.

The visitors had started the game the better side, with Ashley Skeggs testing Klinton Makayabo early on.

Glen Warwick continued Ilford’s bright start with a fierce shot which was blocked, but Foxes captain Paul Clayton pounced on the rebound and shot agonisingly wide.

Bari’s first chance came after 23 minutes when Castillo Herrera played a delicate pass over the Ilford defence, leaving Adam Camara with just Chris Clark to beat, but he blasted his shot way over the bar.

Ilford responded by taking the lead through Warwick after Odedoyin switched the play to him in space and he smashed the ball into the far right corner.

Odedoyin was unlucky not to double the Foxes lead after recovering a skewed clearance on the edge of the box and shooting narrowly wide.

And after half time Ilford were once again on the front foot when Ajay Ashnike’s powerful shot was parried into the path of Henry Matthews whose shot was bravely blocked by Jimoh.

Bari looked to have equalised after Makayabo’s goal kick travelled through to Camara, leaving him one-on-one with the keeper, and he lifted the ball over an onrushing Clark but Skeggs heroically headed the ball off the line.

Ashnike went close to extending Ilford’s lead after skilfully beating the Bari full-back, cutting inside and unleashing a powerful effort that was saved.

But with 13 minutes left Odedoyin received a second yellow card for kicking the ball away, having been booked in the first half for a late challenge on Samy Abdelaziz.

Bari nearly capitalised instantly through second-half substitute Darryl Morson who met an Andy Greenslade cross with his head, but it was easily saved by Clark.

Finally the home side got the chance they were looking for with a penalty three minutes from time and Jimoh calmly stepped up and dispatched the spot-kick to the keeper’s right.

Things got worse for the Foxes after Thomas received a second yellow for dissent after he had been booked for the same offence earlier in the game.

Bari even went close to grabbing a late winner after a Herrera cross found the head of Mustapha Sanda, but Clark tipped the ball just over.

Herrera took the resulting corner and picked out Emmanuel Olukayode whose header hit the post, but in the end both teams had to settle for a point.

Bari are due to visit leaders FC Romania on Wednesday, while Ilford are scheduled to meet Greenhouse.

Bari: Makayabo, Abdelaziz, Olukayode, Jimoh, Mpalampa, Sanda, Sonupe (Adetunji 65), Greenslade, Camara (Pedro 82), Appiah (Morson 46), Herrera.

Ilford: Clark, Valionis (Ramsey 82), Paliulis, Matthews, Skeggs, McLeavy, Thomas, Clayton, Odedoyin, Ashnike (Stevens 74), Warwick (Atutis 67).