Barking & Dagenham 2-2 Havering

BARKING & DAGENHAM U11S PRODUCED a stirring comeback to secure a well deserved point in their latest Essex Finch league game against arch rivials Havering. Goals from Amin Karim and a stunning last-gasp leveller from Kien Connelly, saw the side take a share of the spoils. 

Havering started brightly and almost took the lead early on – Frankie Franz heading over from Lewis Orford’s corner. From the resulting goal kick, Ryan Battrum seized on some sloppy play but is low drive struck the post.

The lucky escape seemed to wake the home side up and Harry Millburn tried his luck with a snap shot from twenty yards. Connelly put Jaqqwaan Williams through with Barking & Dagenham ‘s next attack but he was denied a shot on goal by some smart defending from Harrison Bradbury.

Havering looked dangerous whenever they came forward and Battrrum was denied once again by the post when he was set free by a clever Orford ball. However, the Havering striker made it third time lucky moments later to give his side a deserved lead. Orford was involved, playing a neat one-two with Stan McGarry before teeing up Battrum, who gave Tyler Rice no chance with a thunderous drive in to the roof of the net.

Rice then had to be alert when Battrum burst through again but it was the visitors who went into the break a goal to the good.

Barking & Dagenham made a purposeful start to the second half and fashioned an early chance for themselves when Mason Stanton got in behind the Havering defence. His cutback fell into Emis Gasperavicius’ path but the William Bellamy man was unable to get his effort on target.

Millburn then stung the palms of Liam Kirby with a firmly struck free kick before Favour Fawunmi flashed an inviting centre across the face on the Havering goal.

However, despite their bright start, it was Havering who doubled their lead with a well taken goal. McGarry was the creator, racing from the halfway line before crossing where Battrum timed his run perfectly to flick the ball past the dive of Brandon Dean.

Barking & Dagenham tried to hit back immediately and Stanton and Gasperavicius combined well to set up Karim but his low drive was narrowly wide of the goal.

The home side were then offered a way back into the game when Karim was tripped inside the area after some good approach work from Bradley Mott and Stanton. Karim picked himself up and confidently dispatched the spot kick home to half the deficit.

Barking & Dagenham’s tails were now up and Karim almost drew his side level only to be denied by a smart save from Kirby. Mott had found Karim on the edge of the area and he expertly spun past his marker but his well-struck effort was saved by the feet of Kirby.

Barking & Dagenham continued to search for an equaliser but were indebited to Dean at the other end. Battrum took aim from twenty-five yards and his fierce drive looked destined for the back of the net only for Dean to fling himself to his right to tip the ball onto the upright. It was a brilliant save and one that kept his side in the game.

With time running out, Barking & Dagenham threw bodies forward and Stanton almost grabbed an equlaier when he raced onto a Joe Martin ball but Kirby was quick off his line to thwart the danger. Connelly tried his luck from distance and Millburn’s storming run and shot was well held by Kirby.

Then, with time up, the home side were awarded a corner. They put everyone, including Dean, in the area for one last chance. Connelly’s corner was headed clear but the Valence man met the clearance on the volley and it flew into the top corner, giving Kirby no chance.

It was a fantastic strike and one that gave Barking & Dagenham a reward for their second half efforts. There was barely time for Havering to restart as the referee’s whistle brought an end to a fabulous game.

The point, whilst well deserved, wasn’t enough for Barking & Dagenham’s title chances and attentions will now turn to the London Schools’ Crisp Shield, when they welcome Tower Hamlets to M&B for their last game of 2016.

Barking & Dagenham: Dean (D Barley), Onajobi (Becontree), Karim (Parsloes), Milburn (Five Elms), Gasperavicius (W Bellamy), Williams, Connolly, Martin, Rich (Valence), Fawunmi, Mott (Hunters Hall), Stanton (Eastbury)