Essex SFA Finch League - 18/5/10
Waltham Forest 1
Barking & Dagenham 2 (Folkes, Richardson)
A LAST GASP HEADER from captain Jack Richardson kept Barking & Dagenham's Essex title dreams alive. The skipper's last minute towering header saw the District side secure a vital 2-1 win.
With only a victory enough to keep their title ambitions on track, the District side started brightly and went close twice in the early stages. Within the first minute, Daniel Cheema showed tremendous pace to get free of his marker but just as he was about to pull the trigger, he was crudely brought down on the edge of the box. From the resulting free kick, the Waltham Forest keeper produced a great save to push away Michael Turner's fierce strike.
It was all Barking & Dagenham now and they should have broken the deadlock but Daniel Parish shot wide after a vicious Watters' corner.
Waltham Forest were struggling to deal with Barking & Dagenham's pace and, with Watters and Cheema seeing plenty of the ball, it seemed only a matter of time before they took the lead.
Powerful
However Waltham Forest refused to lay down and, as the half wore on, they began to get into the game. With their powerful forwards looking to get in behind the Barking & Dagenham back four, Messrs John, Parish, Richardson and Casey had their work cut out. Parish was particularly impressive in the air, whilst Richardson was using his intelligence to sweep up any loose balls.
Barking & Dagenham continued to look dangerous going forward and Jayke Welch tested the keeper from the edge of the area. Moments later, Cheema and Watters combined to set up Scott Mitchell but the right midfielder was unable to apply the finishing touch. MJ Folkes was then introduced and his pace was a threat to Waltham Forest but the half ended with Jesse Amoh seeing his goal-ward bound effort well blocked.
Knowing only a victory would suffice, Barking & Dagenham started the second half on the front foot and they saw two more chances go begging with both Sorba Thomas and Folkes denied by strong challenges.
Cool
With time ticking, Barking & Dagenham refused to panic and deservedly took the lead. Cheema raced away down the left and his neat cut back found Folkes, who showed a cool head to steady himself before finding the bottom corner.
Moments later, they could have extended their lead but Thomas and Watters were again thwarted by some strong defending. Waltham Forest then enjoyed some possession and Casey and John were both called into action as nerves started to jangle.
Waltham Forest then produced the move of the game to get back on level terms. A neat passing combination was well finished by the powerful Adam and Waltham Forest sensed the game was there for the taking.
Disaster?
Barking & Dagenham knew they had to grab a winner but disaster almost struck. Possession was lost in the centre of the park and the pacey forward escaped Richardson, baring down on goal it looked as if he would give his side the lead but keeper Jack Kemsley produced an outstanding save with his feet to keep his side in the title hunt.
The scare saw Barking & Dagenham step up a gear and they nearly grabbed a priceless winner but Mitchell saw his first time effort fly wide, after good work from Watters.
The District side refused to panic and they were rewarded with time almost up. Watters swung in a corner and Richardson towered above his marker to power his header home and keep his side's title dreams alive.
