ESL Cup: Barking 0 Clapton 2

Clapton booked an Essex Senior League cup final meeting with Bowers and gained a psychological advantage over Barking with victory at Mayesbrook Park last night.

Tons are due to take on Mick O’Shea’s Blues in the final of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy at Burnham on Saturday and kept alive their hopes of a cup double thanks to a goal in each half.

Abs Jariette volleyed the visitors into the lead seven minutes before the break, with Jerome Martelli sealing victory late on.

And after completing their league schedule against Takeley tomorrow, Tons will travel to Leslie Field at the weekend looking to beat Barking again and claim the GBT silverware.

They will meet Bowers at Great Wakering on May 10, after they beat league champions Haringey Borough 4-1 in the other semi-final last night.

Barking’s Paul Clayton tweeted: “Disappointing result. Well done @ClaptonFootball fans were superb!! Chance for us to put things right Saturday in the final.”

Barking: J Willis, Turner, Ling, Golby, Taylor, Barlow, S Willis, O’Brien, Mtyanda, Killingback, Odedoyun. Subs: Creed, Rix, Clayton, Reynolds, Foster.

Clapton: Diagne, Ricketts, Jarette, Lyndon, Payne, Ocran, Stevens, Mott, Mfula, Briggs, Kanjor. Subs: Martelli, Aggio, Bogdan, Greenwood, Jones.

*Darren Cox put Haringey ahead againnst Bowers after seven minutes, but Rob Whitnell levelled soon after and headed in Alfie Hilton’s cross to put the visitors 2-1 up.

Luke Wilson added the third from a Jamie Salmon free kick early in the second half, with Lewis Manor sealing the 4-1 win just past the hour.