Barking Trophy Final
St Margaret's 0
Thames View 3
THAMES VIEW JUNIOR School produced a terrific performance in the Post sponsored Barking Trophy final to claim the first piece of 11-a-side silverware of the season. Three first half goals saw the Bastable Avenue outfit beat the pre-match favourites.
The game was played in brilliant sunshine but the heat didn't stop either side starting the game at a fast pace.
Bright
Thames View looked bright going forward but St Margaret's were looking remained resolutely organised at the back. Both midfields were battled away in the middle of the park and it was no surprise that the opening stages saw little goal mouth action.
Thames View had the first sight of goal, District skipper Alec Monk cut inside from the wing, but his curling shot just went the wrong side of the upright. A Monk corner then caused panic in the St Margaret's goal but no-one could get on the end of it.
St Margaret's began to look threatening going forward themselves and the Thames View keeper had to be alert on two occasions after his defence had been split open.
Wicked
Moments later, the deadlock was broken. A wicked in-swinging corner from the boot of Monk was smashed home by Olaywola Onifade at the back post to give Thames View a deserved lead.
The goal shocked St Margaret's and they almost conceded another when the pacy Charlie Baldwin almost broke clear of the St Margaret's back four.
However, moments later, Thames View stretched their lead from the penalty spot. Bailey Willis set Baldwin fee and when the St Margaret's keeper did well to deny him but the ball fell right into the path of Monk, whose goalbound shot was handled on the line. Referee Duggins had no option but to point to the spot. Up stepped Monk to calmly slot the ball in to increase his side's lead.
Thames View sensed the game was there for the taking and continued to press forward. The pace of Baldwin and Onifade was troubling the St Margaret's defence and Monk and Willis were winning the midfield battle.
One Hand On The Cup
Just before the half time whistle, Thames View further increased their lead. This time Monk needed no help. His corner flew straight in, giving the St Margaret's keeper no chance, as Thames View sensed they had one hand on the cup.
St Margaret's come out of the blocks quickly in the second half, knowing that they needed an early goal to get back into the game. However, they found a determined Thames View defence and were unable to make any inroads.
With time running out, St Margaret's started to throw caution to the wind and could have made the game interesting but, after some good approach work, their striker shot straight at the Thames View keeper. The missed chance summed up St Margaret's day as they failed to produce the football that had seen them storm into the final.
Almost...
They almost grabbed a consolation goal but Darren's superb long range free kick was somehow headed off the line, when it looked destined for the back of the net.
The final whistle brought scenes of joy as Thames View recorded a memorable and well deserved victory. St Margaret's, on the other hand were left wondering what might have been.
