Lester Finch Trophy - 10/7/10

Barking & Dagenham 2 (Folkes, Richardson)

South London 0

THE BARKING & DAGENHAM District side produced an outstanding team performance to secure the Lester Finch Trophy for the first time in their history.

A goal in each half from MJ Folkes and Jack Richardson, saw off South London and capped an amazing season for the cream of the Borough's footballers.

The team finished the season off with 22 wins from their 31 games, scoring 89 goals in the process. Defeat was tasted just three times as the side finished as runners up in the Essex League, semi finalists in the London Schools Crisp Shield and 1st place in the prestigious English Schools' Jersey Festival.

The game was played in sweltering temperatures and although the opening stages saw neither side on top once Barking & Dagenham got into their stride, there was only ever going to be one winner. Their passing and intelligent movement was too much for their opponents as the Trophy, open to all Districts in London, was lifted for the first time in their history.

Pressure

Despite the heat, the game was played at a great pace as both sides jostled for control. Michael Turner and Ricky Morris were soon on top in the centre of the park and Morris nearly set Daniel Cheema up for the games first chance.

South London looked to use their pace up front to get in behind the Barking & Dagenham back four. However, as they have done all season, Richardson and Daniel Parish were immense at the heart of the defence and full backs, Nathan Casey and Daniel John were equally impressive. With Turner and Morris in control of the middle of the pitch, the South London rearguard was being put under pressure.

Max Watters then had his first sight of goal, his mazy run took him past three South London defenders but his shot agonisingly bounced off of the post with the South London keeper well beaten.

From that moment on there was only ever going to be one winner. Barking & Dagenham were a yard quicker all over the park and even when they lost the ball they worked as a team to get the ball back.

Jayke Welch was finding space out wide and his clever ball nearly set Watters up. Scott Mitchell was eager to get past his marker whenever possible and his cross caused panic in the South London area but was cleared away to safety.

Watters then swung over an inviting corner but no-one was able to get on the end of it. South London were being pinned back and resulted in hopeful balls forward.

Keeper Alfie Reynolds was quick off his line to snuff out a rare foray forward and Casey produced a superb tackle to deny the South London attacker.

Dominate

Barking & Dagenham continued to dominate and they went close when Sorba Thomas struck the woodwork after some good work from Mitchell and Cheema. Turner then went close from the edge of the area and Welch tested the South London keeper from twelve yards.

The pressure soon paid off as Barking & Dagenham took a deserved lead. Watters sent over a corner,which was cleared back to him. He controlled the ball and sent over a wicked cross. The cross looked like it would evade everyone but Folkes showed great desire and a superb first touch to bring the ball down and fire past the South London keeper to give his side a well deserved lead. Barking & Dagenham sensed the game was there to be killed off and after another slick passing move Turner's shot was just wide of the target.

South London were hanging on but showed their danger when they broke quickly from a corner but their striker saw his shot well saved by Jack Kemsley. Thomas, Watters and Folkes were a constant threat to South London whilst Turner and Morris totally dominated the midfield.

Confidence

The second half had much the feel of the first half as Barking & Dagenham continued to stroke the ball around with supreme confidence. Mitchell set off the move of the match with a quickly taken free kick, the ball was pinged around the pitch from left to right, involving John, Folkes and Turner, sadly though Thomas was unable to get on the end of the cross, for what would have been an amazing goal.

However Barking & Dagenham didn't have to wait long to double their lead. Watters put in another superb corner and it was met at the back post by the unmarked Richardson, whose header flew past the keeper for his fifth goal of the season.

The goal killed off the South London team and Barking & Dagenham piled forward to grab more goals. Cheema was unfortunate to see his header bounce off the underside of the crossbar and Turner fired over from close range after another superb passing move.

South London changed formation to try and get back into the game but they could find no way past the Barking rearguard.

Jesse Amoh was then introduced and his calmness and strength yet he nearly grabbed his first goal of the season with a fierce volley. He then set Thomas up with a clever through ball but the sides leading scorer saw his cross just drift wide of the post.

Watters and Thomas then both created chances for themselves with individual runs but both efforts came to nothing. Folkes then set up Cheema, whose neat turn made a yard of space but his shot was blocked.

The final whistle brought scenes of jubilation as the boys brought down the curtain on their season in the best possible fashion.

Praise

Manager Graeme Farquhar was full of praise for his side. "The boys have been fantastic all year and to end the season like this was amazing. It has been an unbelievable season with a group of unbelievable boys. I am very proud of the team as they were immense today."

Fellow manager, Dave Moore was equally happy. " We were brilliant from the first whistle and 2-0 didn't really reflect our dominance. The season has been full of great football but today was without doubt the best of the season"