20/12/08 - Lester Finch Trophy
Barking & Dagenham 2 (Okoh, Turner pen.)
Thurrock 3
Barking and Dagenham crashed to defeat in their first Lester Finch game of the season after arch rivals Thurrock came from two goals down.
With Barking and Dagenham eager to bounce back from two consecutive defeats, and Thurrock looking to gain revenge for their defeat in the Essex league, the early stages of the game were keenly fought. With tackles flying in, and both sides showing real determination, the pace of the game was fast and frantic.
Barking & Dagenham fashioned the first chance when Brendan Ocran slipped in a ball through for leading scorer Daniel Boyce, but the Thurrock keeper was up to the task and saved with his feet.
Imperious
Barking & Dagenham continued to have the better of the game and with the back four of Turner, Monk, Franklin and Gelston in imperious form, Thurrock were finding it hard to get out of their own half.
It didn't take long for the home side to take the lead. Ernest Okoh applied the finishing touch to a flowing team move. It was his sevent goal of the season and ample reward for his team's start. Thurrock looked shocked by the way Barking & Dagenham had started and panic at the back almost saw the home side double their lead, but the Thurrock keeper did well to deny Louis Phillips.
The second goal wasn't long in coming albeit with a hint of debate. A long ball into the box bounced up, hit Price on the arm and ref Duggins had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. The decision looked harsh on the visitors but Reno Turner didn't care as he smashed home the resulting penalty.
Regalvanized
The perceived injustice of the penalty seemed to regalvanize Thurrock and straight from kick off they halved the deficit. Skipper Shilling was at the heart of the move, his storming run went unchecked and he put Klessa-Smith through in on goal and he finished smartly from twelve yards.
With the home side rocking, Thurrock sensed the game was their for the taking and they hauled themselves level just before the half-time whistle. Barking & Dagenham's midfield missed too many tackles and, when the ball was only half cleared, Jex was quickest to react and his shot evaded Alfie Malbon to restore parity and send Thurrock into the break the happier.
With some strong words said at the interval, Barking & Dagenham came out the stronger in the second half and again had the better of the game. With Luke Gelston and Louis Phillips providing the bite in the middle of the park, most of the game was being played in the Thurrock half.
But despite dominating the possession, Barking & Dagenham failed to trouble the Thurrock goal.
Controversy
With time running out, and the game heading towards a draw, another hint of controversy swung the game in Thurrock's favour. Boffa surged into the box and his shot bounced up and hit Alec Monk in the midrift before striking his arm. Ref Duggins deemed it to be deliberate and pointed to the spot.
Thurrock skipper Shilling showed a cool head to put his spot-kick in and give his side the lead. Despite Barking & Dagenham finishing the game strongly, applying pressure to the Thurrock goal, the visitors held on to secure three vital points and leave Barking & Dagenham rueing their poor end to the first half.
