Barking & Dagenham 2-3 Thurrock

BARKING & DAGENHAM U11S A TEAM suffered an opening day Essex Finch defeat as they were edged out by the odd goal in five by arch-rivals Thurrock. Goals from Somfechi Ukuno and Romir Mann were in vain as the visitors took the spoils.

Barking & Dagenham started brightly and Amine Zafer tested Alfie Fitzearle in the Thurrock goal after a neat move. Nathan Solomon then went close with a long range effort as Barking & Dagenham settled well.

However, the visitors drew first blood with their opening venture forward. A long ball over the top wasn’t dealt with by the home defenders and Joseph Omowanile finished well from the edge of the area.

Barking & Dagenham almost responded immediately but Zafer saw his thunderous effort cannon back off the crossbar with Fitzearle well beaten.

Pinpoint

Ukonu was then thwarted by a well-timed challenge after he had been released by a pinpoint Divine Mukasa pass.

Mukasa then threaded the ball through again for Ukonu but his well-struck shot was pushed around the post by Fitzearle.

Mukasa tried his luck from long range as the home side continued to dominate but they fell further behind as Thurrock doubled their lead against the run of play. Another long ball released Omowanile, who caught Abhi Pal out with an early shot that crept over the line.

Pal then produced a superb save to deny Omowanile his hat-trick but Barking & Dagenham finished the half on the front foot and two smart saves from Fitzearle prevented them from reducing the deficit. Firstly, he showed good hands to deny Zafer before he produced an even better save to push Mukasa’s rasping drive over the crossbar.

Good Work

The home side made a purposeful start to the second half and Ukonu fired wide after some good work by Aaron Balogun. Ukonu then twice went close but his first effort was narrowly off target and his second was deflected wide.

The home side continued to dominate proceedings and were rewarded for their endeavours when they managed to find a way past Thurrock’s rearguard. Zafer was instrumental in the goal, swapping passes with Ukonu before teeing up the Dorothy Barley striker, who finished well to give his side hope.

With the momentum behind them, Emmanule Mintah stormed his way into the area but his low drive was palmed away by Fitzearle.

Mukasa almost created an equaliser but his shot was deflected wide and Ukonu and Mintah nearly combined to create a shooting opportunity, only for the visitors to clear the danger.

Thurrock remained dangerous on the break and they further increased their lead with a third. Barking & Dagenham were caught in possession and Justin Junaid squared the ball for Freddie Smyth. His well struck shot struck the crossbar but bounced in off the unfortunate Pal.

Golden Chance

Lesser sides would have given up at the point but Mintah was inches away from setting up a grandstand finish, only to see his low shot well saved by Fitzearle.

Thurrock then missed a golden chance to wrap up the points when they broke away but Pal was equal to Omowanile’s shot.

Barking & Dagenham comtinued to plug away and set up a frantic final few minutes when they grabbed a second. Zafer and Mintah combined well on the edge of the area and Mann was on hand to stab the ball home.

However, despite some late pressure, Barking & Dagenham were unable to find an equaliser and were left wondering how they had ended up empty-handed from a game that they deserved something from.

Barking & Dagenham A: N Solomon (Southwood), D Mukasa (Roding Cannington), A Kosoko (Richard Alibon), S Ukuno, A Pal (D Barley), I Bangurah, E Mintah (Valence), R Mann (Rush Green), A Shehu (Hunters Hall), A Zafer (Gascoigne), A Balogun (Grafton)