Sutton Trophy - 12/6/10

LOUISE DOVE'S FLYING header, two minutes from full time, brought victory in the final of the Sutton Invitational Trophy for the Barking & Dagenham Girls' District side, amid jubilant scenes in leafy Surrey. The Godwin winger's third goal of the competition brought a dramatic ending to the day, and stretched the team's unbeaten run to twenty two matches

Earlier in the day, Barking & Dagenham began their campaign with a tough game against Richmond. A single poacher’s goal from Briony Hagger was enough to claim the three points although keeper Amber Young was forced into a pair of smart saves to ensure her side maintained their clean sheet.

With the cobwebs blown away, Merton were swept aside with confident aplomb. Klesha Darroux’s fifteenth district goal opened the scoring, before skipper Kaydee King doubled the lead from the penalty spot. A second half brace from Louise Dove made it 4-0, with Hagger, Darroux and Olivia Smith all having chances to extend the score-line.

Next up were a very strong Camden side, who had been enjoying similar success in their group matches and provided the stiffest test so far. Barking & Dagenham were quick to the tackle, forcing their fancied opponents onto the back foot, dominating the game but unable to find the killer touch in front of goal. Hollie Ross and Tayla Jackson worked tirelessly down the right handf side but Camden held on for all that they were worth.

With Smith forced off through injury, and only a couple of minutes remaining, King pushed forward from defence into midfield. And when the ball rolled to her, twenty yards from goal, there was only ever going to be one outcome – a sweetly timed drive that flew into the roof of the net for a 1-0 win.

The same score-line followed against Sutton, Young making an outstanding double save before Darroux completed a flowing move involving Ross, Dove and Hagger to ensure a place in the final against unbeaten Woking.

Again, a tight affair followed with Woking using the slope of the pitch to their advantage, pinning Barking & Dagenham into their own half without ever really threatening to score. When the ends switched round at half time however it was one-way traffic. Jackson and Darroux caused havoc down the flanks, as Woking struggled to cope with their pace and trickery.

Then, with time running out, King’s whipped left footed corner arrowed in on the Woking penalty area where Dove was waiting to out jump four defenders and feather a glancing header into the top corner.

The win was just reward for a magnificent team display and ensured that the Barking & Dagenham Girls’ U11s District side kept up their proud record of never having lost a game in their three year history.

The Winning Goal

For more photos of the day, click here.