Essex SFA Finch League - 29/5/10

Barking & Dagenham 3                                       (Watters 2, Morris)     

Harlow & West Essex 1  

BARKING & DAGENHAM U11s secured the runners-up spot in the Essex Finch League with a convincing win over Harlow. A Max Watters double and Ricky Morris' sixth of the season saw the District side end their league campaign on a high.

Like their previous two games, the District side started brightly and took the lead in the third minute. Michael Turner released Watters and, even though he was initially denied by a superb save by the Harlow keeper, the Rush Green man made no mistake from close range.

Delightful

The goal settled the nerves of the home side and they began to play some delightful football. Watters was a constant threat to the Harlow back four and, after some clever play, fellow strike partner Daniel Cheema tested the keeper with a fierce drive.

With Turner and Morris dominant in the middle of the park and wide players, Jayke Welch and MJ Folkes finding space out on the flanks, it was Barking & Dagenham who remained on top. Harlow were hanging on and offered very little going forward.

Nathan Casey looked to get on the front foot at ever opportunity and his clever lob over the back four released Turner, but his shot crashed against the crossbar and away to safety. Cheema was then set up by a brave Welch header but the Harlow defender recovered in time to smother his shot.

Jack Kemsley was a spectator in the home goal and, when Harlow did manage to get the ball forward, they found centre backs, Jack Richardson and Scott Mitchell in superb form. The half ended with Folkes racing away from the Harlow defence but his smart cutback was just out of the reach of the onrushing Cheema. 

Narrow

Despite the dominance of the home side in the first half, the lead was a narrow one and having thrown away two goal advantages in their last two games, the District side knew they had to keep their foot on the gas.

However, despite starting the second period as they finished the first, a slice of bad luck allowed Harlow back into the game. A long goal kick bounced over the Barking & Dagenham back four and the wind took it over keeper Alfie Reynolds. As the keeper tried to turn to recover, his foot stuck in the pitch, allowing the Harlow striker the easiest of finishes.

Barking & Dagenham responded immediately and nearly regained the lead when Watters was set away by a clever Jesse Amoh ball but the Harlow keeper produced a neat save.

Turner continued to boss the centre of the park and with Amoh looking to free Folkes and Cheema with some intelligent passing, Barking & Dagenham started to turn the screw.

It was no surprise then, when Watters raced clear of his marker to cooly slot home, and give his side the lead again.

The home side refused to let Harlow back into the game and they made sure of the points when Morris found himself in space and smartly chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper to give the scoreline a fairer reflection.

 

 

 

 

Sixth Of The Season