12/12/09 - Essex Finch League

Havering 4

Barking & Dagenham 3                                   (Watters, Turner, Folkes)

BARKING & DAGENHAM PRIMARY schools crashed to defeat on Saturday, losing out to the odd goal in seven against league leaders Havering.

Unbeaten Havering were quickly out of the blocks with their front two causing problems for the Barking & Dagenham back four. The visitors side were forced back and Ricky Morris and Max Watters were forced to work hard in the centre of the park. Centre halves Jack Richardson and Daniel Parish were also busy as Havering continued to pile on the pressure.

Dangerous

The introduction of MJ Folkes saw a shift in the game, with his pace and direct running allowing the visitors to string some attacks together.

Sorba Thomas almost gave Barking & Dagenham the lead, however his pacy run and neat finish stuck in the mud and Havering were able to clear.

Havering remained dangerous going forward and keeper Jack Kemsley had to be at his best moments before half time when the strong Havering forward looked odds on to score.

Smashed

Barking & Dagenham started the second period the better and were rewarded for their endevours when Watters smashed in his fifth of the season. A free kick was awarded for a crude challenge on Thomas and Watters gave the Havering keeper no chance from fully twenty-five yards.

The goal shocked the home side and the Barking & Dagenham goal was soon under pressure.

Parity was restored when the Havering centre half was given time and space from a corner and, with the aid of a deflection, beat Alfie Reynolds. Moments later, things got worse for Barking & Dagenham when Havering took the lead with a carbon copy goal. The Havering centre half was again left unmarked, and made no mistake from twelve yards

Havering sensed the game was there for the taking and kept up
the pressure on their opponents' goal. They soon added a third with a breakaway effort. Possession was lost on the half way line and the powerful Havering forward sprinted clear, finishing neatly to give his side a two goal cushion.

Crackerjack

The game had been turned on its head but Barking & Dagenham refused to lay down. Back they came, led by the driving force of Michael Turner in the centre of midfield. The Warren man exchanged passes with Morris before unleashing a crackerjack effort which flew in via the underside of the bar.

With their tails up, Barking & Dagenham were now on top as Thomas was denied by a last ditch challenge.

However, Havering showed their quality and were soon once more two goals to the good. From another corner, the impressive centre half superbly headed the ball in past Reynolds.

Lifeline

Barking & Dagenham l continued to probe away and were given a lifeline when Thomas released Folkes, who shrugged off two challenges to fire home and give his side a glimmer of hope.

With time almost up, Thomas was set free by Morris and just as it looked like he was going to score, he was denied by an unbelievable challenge.

With the chance, went any hope of Barking & Dagenham collecting anything from the game, although they can be proud of the way they battled away.

They will have the opportunity to bounce straight back on Saturday, when Thurrock are the visitors to May & Bakers.

 

 

 

Fifth Of The Season