Friendly - 6/3/10

Islington 1

Barking & Dagenham 2                               (Darroux 2)

WITH ALMOST HALF their regular squad missing, Barking & Dagenham girls' produced a performance full of grit and determination to overcome Islington. A goal in each half from stand-in skipper Klesha Darroux sealed the win as Barking & Dagenham were made to work for their proud unbeaten record.

The visitors had taken the lead in the second minute when goalkeeper Rosie McCarthy, a last minute replacement for illness victim Amber Young, punted the ball up-field. Briony Hagger competed well to win possession, with the loose ball sliding to the lethal Darroux. Two touches later, the visitor’s were 1-0 up with the captain’s thirteenth District goal.

                                      Hopeful

Apart from a rare foray forward where Darroux hit the post from Tayla Jackson’s lofted corner, Barking & Dagenham spent the rest of the first period encamped in their own half. Syd Fairs, Hollie Ross and Lousie Dove produced tackle after tackle to snuff out the home side who were limited to half chances and hopeful shots from distance.

In almost identical fashion, Barking & Dagenham doubled their lead at the start of the second half. Once more Hagger teed up Darroux, whose seveth of the campaign equalled her goal-scoring tally from the previous season.

And then the pattern of the first half repeated itself with Islington pressing forward in search of a goal to call their own. Inside a minute, the hosts successfully clawed one back when a hesitant defence failed to clear their lines and were ruthlessly punished.

                                       Barrage

With Hagger and Jackson suffering from illness during the second half, and no substitutes available on the day, the side were forced to withstand a barrage of attacks, relying on the pace of Dove and Darroux on the break.

Yet despite overwhelming odds, and weary legs, the visitors hung on, with McCarthy’s save in the final seconds typifying the spirit and character of the performance. 

The girls’ team now have a break for a few weeks before going on their travels once more later in the Spring.

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Deadly