Barking & Dagenham 7-0 Redbridge

BARKING & DAGENHAM U11S TOOK a huge stride towards the Essex Finch title with a 7-0 rout of Redbridge on Saturday. Somfechi Ukonu’s hat-trick, his second in four games, and goals from Aidon Shehu, Amine Zafer, Emmanuel Mintah and Alamin Kosoko saw the side all but seal their first title win since 2013.

The home side started well but it took them fifteen minutes to go in front. However, from the moment that Mintah poked home from close range, the result was never in doubt.

Ukonu then opened his account with a glancing header before Shehu grabbed his third of the season from long range effort as Barking & Dagenham went in at the break three goals to the good.

Calm

In the second half, they continued to dominate the game and increased their lead when Ukonu raced through to calmly slot home his tenth of the season.

His eleventh, and hat-trick goal, wasn’t far behind as the home side’s passing proved too much for Redbridge to cope with and Ukonu fired home.

5-0 soon became 6-0 as Kosoko finished off a flowing, one touch move that involved touches from five different players.

Zafer rounded off the scoring with a sweetly struck volley after the Redbridge keeper had produced two smart saves.

Saved

The home side then had a chance to increase their lead as the game drew to a close but Nathan Solomon’s penalty was superbly saved by the Redbridge keeper.

However, the miss didn’t prove costly as Barking & Dagenham secured the three points that should see them crowned champions. Now, only a thirteen goal swing in their nearest challenger’s final game will deny them the silverware.

Barking & Dagenham: Nathan Solomon (Southwood), Alamin Kosoko (Richard Alibon), Matas Klimas (Marsh Green), Somfechi Ukuno, (Dorothy Barley), Abhi Pal (Dorothy Barley), Ibrahim Bangurah (Valence), Aidon Shehu (Hunters Hall), Amine Zafer (Gascoigne), Jethro Medine (Northbury), Emmanuel Mintah (Valence)