04/10/08 - Friendly
Barking & Dagenham 2 (Turner, Boyce)
Bermondsey & Rotherhithe 2
BARKING & DAGENHAM PRIMARY schools' District side kicked off their season with a hard fought draw against an impressive Bermondsey side on Saturday.
Both sides were keen to get off to a good start and it was the home team that settled the quicker. The superb surface meant both sides could pass the ball around and Barking & Dagenham began to have some joy out wide. Siju Odelusi was a threat down the right and he created the first chance when he found Ernest Okoh, who showed a good turn of speed to unleash a shot that was expertly saved by Thomas in the visitors' goal.
Barking & Dagenham continued to dominate possession and the Bermondsey keeper had to be alert on two occasions to thwart several attacks.
As the half progressed, Bermondsey began to get a foothold in the game but the centre half pairing of Reno Turner and Alec Monk were quick to repel any danger, Monk being particularly dominant in the air.
Solo Goal
Bermondsey thought that they had taken the lead midway through the half when Kai Rowe cut inside and chipped the ball into the net, only to be denied by the flag of the linesman. However they didn't have to wait long to take the lead. Connor Lucas nipped in to intercept a loose pass off the toes of a defender on around the halfway mark and sprinted clear of the pursuing defenders before calmly lifting the ball over Alfie Malbon for a terrific solo goal.
Barking & Dagenham battled back and spent the rest of the half applying pressure to the Bermondsey goal. Brendan Ocran found space out wide and his terrific cross just evaded the onrushing attackers. Keeper Thomas then had to be alert as a defence splitting pass looked like it was going to be finished by Louis Phillips but he dived bravely at the striker's feet to deny the Hunters Hall man.
The half ended with Barking & Dagenham having a number of dangerous moments via corners from Luke Gelston, all of which came to nothing.
Camped
The second half started as the first finished, with Bermondsey camped in their own half with their opponents looked to get back on level terms. However it was Bermondsey who nearly scored when a good move down the left, involving left back Melvyne Berti and Rowe, found Benn Murphy in the box, but his volley flew just wide of the post.
Moments later, the scores were level when Reno Turner produced a stunning equaliser. When Franklin was fouled 25 yards from goal, there didn't seem to be any danger. But Turner had other ideas as he smashed the ball into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. It was the first competitive goal for the District side and an early contender for goal of the season.
Barking & Dagenham began to exert pressure and it seemed that they would be the side to go on and score next.
But another moment of hesitation saw Bermondsey take the lead. The ball was only half cleared and Melvin Adesida found a yard of space on the right and cut inside to fire high into the net from the edge of the box.
Bermondsey felt that this goal would be enough and the remainder of the game was spent with the hosts attacking and Bermondsey happy to soak up the pressure and try to attack on the break.
Tireless
With Ernesta Allionus working tirelessly in the middle of the park, and Ross Durban providing support high up the pitch from full back, it was all Barking & Dagenham.
With time running out, they finally got back on level terms with a well worked goal. Jack McDermott, Gelston, Ochran and Phillips combined well down the left and Ocran's cross found Daniel Boyce in the box. The Hunters Hall man made no mistake from 12 yards to pull the score-line level.
This was how it stayed and both sides can take lots of positives from what was a great advert for District football.
Barking & Dagenham start their Essex Finch League campaign next week at home to Waltham Forest.
Team: Grey, Malbon, Turner, Gelston, Phillips, Boyce, Monk (Capt), Franklin, Ocran, Allionis, McDermott, Durban, Centeno, Okoh, Odelusi
