13/3/10 - Lester Finch Trophy
Westminster 0
Barking & Dagenham 7 (Welch, Thomas 3, Richardson, Mitchell, Turner)
BARKING & DAGENHAM PRIMARY schools opened their Lester Finch Trophy campaign with a convincing win over Westminster. Sorba Thomas led the way with a second half hat-trick, added to goals from Jayke Welch, Jack Richardson, Scott Mitchell and Michael Turner, as the District side made the best possible start to their group.
Despite the lengthy coach trip to Regents Park, Barking & Dagenham were quickly on the front foot, Thomas almost scoring with barely a minute on the clock.
The District side looked stronger in all areas then their opponents and Jack Kemsley, playing up front, fired over after good work from Max Watters.
Westminster were struggling to get hold of the ball as they were unable to cope with the District's power and pace.
No Surprises
It didn't take long for the deadlock to be broken and it was no surprise when Barking & Dagenham grabbed the goal. Kemsley did well to chest a long ball down, before releasing Watters. His cross found Welch on the edge of the area, who gave the Westminster keeper no chance from eighteen yards.
Thomas, Kemsley, Turner and MJ Folkes all went close as Barking & Dagenham threatened to run riot, the Westminster goal seeming to live a charmed life.
With Ricky Morris, Turner and Watters, in complete control of the midfield, Westminster had their backs to the wall and relied on desperate punts forward to relieve the pressure.
Their powerful striker, Josh Shaw, was their only threat as keeper Alfie Reynolds was rarely called upon.
The half ended with yet more Barking and Dagenham chances, but the score line remained 1-0 at the break.
On Top
The second half started in the same vein as the first, with Barking & Dagenham quickly back on top.
Kemsley nearly grabbed the goal that he fully deserved but his shot flew inches wide and Nathan Casey, pushing on from his full back position, went even closer from fully thrity yards.
Skipper Richardson then saw his sweetly struck free-kick narrowly miss the target and Kemsley was cruelly denied by a desperate block on the line.
Despite all their chances and possession, Barking & Dagenham's failure to put the game to bed nearly caught up with them. Shaw muscled his way pass Scott Mitchell and his shot looked destiny for the back of the net but Reynolds superbly pushed the ball over, to keep his side ahead.
The near miss saw Barking & Dagenham move up a gear and make the game secure. Turner showed a delightful touch to bring the ball down. He chested the ball onto his right foot and his effort flew into the net. The goal was well deserved and gave the District side some breathing space.
Majestic
Two soon become three as Thomas grabbed his sixteenth goal of the season. Daniel John rose majestically from a corner and, even though the Westminster keeper produced an outstanding save, Thomas was on hand to bundle the ball in from close range.
Number seventeen wasn't far behind as Thomas was felled in the area and made no mistake from twelve yards.
Barking & Dagenham were now in total control and a long ball over the Westminster centre backs wasn't dealt with as Thomas nipped into to complete a quick fire hat-trick.
Westminster were a beaten team and their misery continued when Mitchell's effort was headed in by a Westminster defender.
That wasn't the end of scoring, with time almost up, Richardson bundled the ball in from close range to give the score line a fairer reflection.
Barking and Dagenham travelled home happy with the three points and will go into the next few weeks with confidence high.
