Abbey advance to the last 16 of the ESFA National Super Cup

Barking Abbey Boys Football Academy came through another tough National cup encounter to book a place in the last 16, which will be played at home against either Wilson Grammar school or Bede’s independent school.

Abbey started strongest against a tough AFC Sudbury side and took the lead in the 15th minute when a fantastic through ball from Adrijus Lapacinskas found the run of Euan Mutale who calmly drove home to put Abbey into a 1-0 lead. AFC Sudbury responded instantly and equalised in the 18th minute when Callum McEvoy could only parry a fierce Sudbury shot into the roof of the Abbey net.

However, Abbey replied brilliantly in the 26th Minute when Andre Anderson played a glorious pass to find the run of Mekhi Stanford-Clarke who volleyed home past the Sudbury Keeper.

Abbey made it 3-1 just before Half-time when Anderson burst clear of the Sudbury defence to slide the ball past the advancing Sudbury Goalkeeper.

In the Second half Abbey’s defence held firm and when it was breached Abbey’s keeper Callum Mc Evoy was equal to anything that Sudbury threw at him!

Abbey wrapped up the game in the 88th minute when Mutale turned provider with a clever reverse pass that sent Feranmi Raji bursting into the Sudbury box, Raji calmly clipped the ball over the advancing keeper to send Abbey through to the next round!

Head of Football Coach Emberson commented:

“The boys have performed brilliant over the past few weeks to put Team Abbey into a fantastic position. They are currently in two semi finals, last 16 in the English Colleges and Schools National Elite Super Cup and sit top of the National Alliance Div “C” .This demonstrates that their hard work pays off! Fingers crossed we can keep up these strong performances and the good results will keep coming along with some new trophies for the cabinet!”