21/2/09 - Essex SFA Finch League
Waltham Forest 0
Barking & Dagenham 4 (Boyce 2, Phillips, Ocran)
BARKING & DAGENHAM U11s District side bounced back to winning ways with a comprehensive victory over bottom of the league Waltham Forest.
Three first half goals saw the team go back to the top of the Essex league, albeit having played more games then their rivals.
Quick Start
Waltham Forest started well and looked to get their pacy forwards in behind the Barking & Dagenham back four. Alfie Malbon had to be quick off his line on three occasions to thwart the hosts. Luke Gelston and Samuel Franklin were impressive at full back and they were supported by the ever reliable pairing of Reno Turner and Alec Monk.
As the game wore on, Barking & Dagenham started to control the game with Jonatas Centeno providing some bite in the centre of the park and Daniel Boyce's intelligent link up play. The team were passing the ball confidently and began to threaten the Waltham Forest goal. It didn't take long for the visitors to take the lead with a direct goal. Malbon's long goal kick released Boyce and the Hunters Hall man raced away from the defence and finished with aplomb.
Dangerous
The goal gave Barking & Dagenham confidence and they looked dangerous whenever they had the ball. Siju Odelusi almost grabbed a second goal but his shot was blocked by a brave defender.
However, it didn't take long for Barking & Dagenham to double their advantage. Centeno won the ball on the half way line and played in Ernest Okoh. The striker hit his shot well but the keeper managed to block his effort but the rebound was bravely headed home by Boyce, for his ninth goal of the season.
Reward
Waltham Forest looked a beaten side and it was all one way traffic until the lead was soon extended. Boyce and Centeno linked up well and when the ball was laid off to Louis Phillips, who smashed the ball home from 25 yards. It was a well worked goal and just reward for Barking & Dagenham's dominance.
With the game pretty much over at half time, the second half was a scrappy affair, with neither team getting into their stride. Barking & Dagenham were still the better side and Jack McDermott almost grabbed another goal but the Waltham Forest keeper did well to save his effort.
With Odelusi and Brendan Ocran beating their markers with ease out wide, the Waltham Forest goal was under pressure, but with a lack of a killer ball attacks came to nothing.
Well Worked
With the back four solid and in control, Connor Gray in the Barking goal was a virtual spectator.
A series of corners then caused panic in the Waltham Forest area but no one could apply the finishing touch. A fourth did arrive when Odelusi went past his marker and his centre was fired home by the on rushing Ocran.
With time running out, Barking & Dagenham almost grabbed a fifth but the crossbar saved Waltham Forest twice in the same attack. Firstly, McDermott struck the bar with a snap shot and from the rebound Turner saw his header also hit the bar.
The win puts Barking & Dagenham back to the top of the league although having played more games than second placed Thurrock, who still look like regaining the title. This Saturday the team travel to Harlow for their last Essex league fixture.
