Essex Senior League: London Bari 1 Takeley 0

London Bari took all three points against Takeley with a late winner from Ifedayo Adetunji in what was a closely fought Essex Senior League fixture at the Old Spotted Dog.

Adetunji scored 2 minutes from time after Junior Decker played a pass into the feet of the Bari hero and he turned and scored.

It was enough to extend the hosts impressive run of form as they are now six-matches unbeaten and without a defeat since losing 7-0 to Ipswich Wanderers in the FA Vase on September 5.

The game began with both teams having an even amount of possession without creating any clear cut goal scoring opportunities.

Bari created the first chance of the game when an Adrian Sanchez free kick found Benjamin Oni, but his shot was saved by Josh Knight in the away goal.

The home side came close to taking the lead when Peter Wilcox played a long pass over the top of the Takeley defence, leaving Adetunji with just Knight to beat, but the visiting custodian made a crucial save.

The Hertfordshire outfit squandered an opportunity to take the lead themselves when a Matt Gill header within the six-yard box went over the crossbar after Ryan Lockett’s free kick.

Bari captain Andy Greenslade then had a chance to put his side ahead before the break, but his effort went over after the Takeley defence failed to clear a corner

The away side started the second half sprightly, coming close to breaking the deadlock when Jack Hayter headed agonisingly wide after Josh Jewson beat the Bari full back with pace to cross.

Bari wasted an opportunity to score of their own when Wilcox met an Adetunji corner with his head but his effort went inches wide.

The hosts were unfortunate not to take the lead when a Decker shot looked destined for the bottom left hand corner, but Jewson made an excellent block to keep the scores level.

The Old Spotted Dog outfit continued to apply pressure with Greenslade and Decker both forcing saves from the Takeley goalkeeper.

Babajide Sonupe came close to scoring for Bari when a deflected shot sent Knight scurrying back to goal in order to tip the ball over the bar.

And finally the hosts did manage to break the deadlock in the 88th minute through Adetunji.

Decker found the Bari man on the edge of the box and he expertly picked his spot, elegantly curled the ball into the bottom left hand corner.

Takeley were unsuccessful in building any pressure in the dying minutes as the home side defended well and earned all three points.

The visitors will feel disappointed at conceding late on, but over the course of the game Bari were deserved winners defending resolutely and more creating goal scoring opportunities.

London Bari: Boateng, Sanchez, Wilcox, Richardson, Pedro, Athanaze (Fonseca 90), Oni (Morson 75), Greenslade, Decker, Sonupe (Jones 89), Adetunji.

Unused substitutes: Mpalampa, Jarvis.

Attendance: 14