21/11/09 - Essex SFA 7-a-sides
BARKING & DAGENHAM SUFFERED 7-a-side heartbreak for the third successive season as they were undone in the County Final by rivals Thurrock.
In a reverse of the final result, Barking & Dagenham stamped their authority over Thurrock in the opening group game. Barking & Dagenham started brightly with Morris and Sorba Thomas both testing the Thurrock keeper. With Michael Turner bossing the game in the middle of the park and Max Watters a constant threat going forward, it was all one way traffic.
So it was no surprise when Barking & Dagenham took the lead when Morris volleyed in flamboyantly from the edge of the box.
Thurrock started the second period quickly and were unlucky not to level the scores. A lucky break fell to Tommy Topliss but his effort bounced off of the post and into the arms of keeper Jack Kemsley. That was their only real effort and Barking & Dagenham were good value for the three points.
Sparkling
A 1-0 win over Newham followed, with Max Watters grabbing another sparkling individual finish. Barking & Dagenham again started in confident fashion with MJ Folkes and Watters denied by last ditch tackles. Newham offered little going forward due to the impressive partnership of Jack Richardson and Daniel John at the heart of the District side's defence.
Jesse Amoh almost opened the scoring but his shot was just too high. Watters then produced a moment of magic to give Barking & Dagenham the lead. He cut in from the left, left three Newham defenders for dead, before arrowing the ball past the helpless Newham keeper. It was a superb effort, worthy of winning any game.
Barking & Dagenham were full of confidence, passing the ball around and playing some delightful one-touch football. Newham were unable to live with them and even though they couldn't add to their tally, they held on to make it two wins from two.
No Trouble
With other results meaning Barking & Dagenham had already qualified for the final, they could have been excused for taking things easy in their last group game against Harlow. However, this wasn't the case and they continued to pass the ball around at will as they took the game to their opponents.
MJ Folkes almost set up Sorba Thomas but his header just missed the target. Watters then created space for a shot but his effort was blocked by some desperate defending. Harlow pushed forward, needing to win to qualify, but they were unable to trouble Kemsley in the Barking goal.
Going Close
That meant that the opening protagonists faced each other for the title, but it was the orange and black of Thurrock that came out on top, with a narrow 1-0 victory.
The final was a tense affair, with both sides eager to take the title. The game was sttled though, when a long throw wasn't cleared properly and Topliss volleyed home to give Thurrock the lead.
They almost doubled their advantage shortly after but John produced a superb tackle to deny Tyrique Hyde.
The rest of the game saw Thurrock sitting back on their lead with their opponents making all the running. Despite the lion's share of possession though, Barking & Dagenham were unable to get back into the game.
Watters and Thomas almost brought things level before a dramatic finale nearly sent the tie into extra time. A dangerous corner caused panic in the Thurrock box and keeper Kemsley, sent up for the set piece, saw his shot blocked when it looked destined for the net.
However, it wasn't to be and Barking & Dagenham had to settle for runners up yet again.
Cheer Up!
