Barking & Dagenham 5-0 Hackney

BARKING & DAGENHAM U11S CONTINUED their impressive start to the season with a comprehensive 5-0 win over Hackney. Goals from Emis Gasperavicius, Kien Connolly, Joe Martin, Amin Karim and an own goal gave them a well deserved win. 

The visitors started the game brightly but failed to trouble Tyler Rice in the home goal despite enjoying some early pressure.

However, the home side soon settled and had the game’s first sight of goal. Favour Fawunmi’s trickery on the wing set up Karim on the edge of the area but his shot hit the side-netting. Karim then drew a smart save from Lorcan Maxwell in the Hackney goal with a flicked header from a Gasperavicius cross. 

The home-sters were now on top and went even closer after a mistake from Maxwell. The visitor’s keeper’s poor first touch gave Connelly the chance to steal the ball but, from an acute angle, the Valence striker saw his effort fly across the face of the empty goal.

Domination

Barking & Dagenham continued to dominate and Martin tested Maxwell with a dipping volley from twenty yards but the Hackney stopper was equal to the effort. Gasperavicius and Karim both went close with firmly struck shots but Maxwell denied them both with smart saves. 

With the game almost being played exclusively in the Hackney half, it was no surprise when Barking & Dagenham finally went in front. Connelly’s free kick from twenty-five yards was well struck and it took a slight touch from the unfortunate Mike Dwyer, which diverted the ball past Maxwell.

It was no more than the home side deserved and it wasn’t long before they doubled their advantage. Maxwell’s poor clearance was seized upon by Gasperavicius and his low drive nestled in the bottom corner to put his side two to the good.

Fawunmi had the game’s next chance but, after some neat footwork to skip past his marker, his firm strike was deflected wide. 

It was now all one way traffic and only a double save from Maxwell prevented Barking & Dagenham going further ahead. Charlie Rich’s surging run and cross was headed goalward by Karim but Maxwell produced a smart save to keep the ball out and an even better stop to deny Martin from the follow up. 

Excellent

Rice was finally called into action as the half time approached as Hackney registered their first attempt on goal. Benji McCabe’s clever ball found Jake Smith in space but Rice produced an excellent save to keep the ball out.

As half time approached, Barking & Dagenham went further in front courtesy of a well worked goal. The impressive Harry Milburn combined with Karim and Martin to tee up Connelly on the edge of the area and Connelly gave Maxwell no chance with a thunderous drive that went in off the upright. It was no more than the home side deserved and they went in at the break fully in control of the game. 

Hackney started the second period on the front foot, knowing they needed to score early if they wanted to get back into the game. However, they were unable to find any joy as the back three of Millburn, Rich and Qudus Onajobi snuffed out any sign of danger. Such was their impressive work, that Brandon Dean was a virtual spectator in the home goal.

Dean was finally tested when Hackney managed to get through the home defence but he produced an outstanding save to deny Mike Oputa. The goal wouldn’t have counted as the Hackney striker was offside but the save was still excellent. 

Barking & Dagenham were soon back in control and increased their lead when Martin grabbed his first District goal. Karim was fouled twenty yards from goal and Martin smashed the ball into the top corner from the resulting free kick. 

Deft

Karim then went close with a low drive before Connelly and Gasperavicius both drew good saves from Onigbanjo. 

With the game over as a contest, the home side took their foot off the pedal but Hackney were still unable to get a sight of goal. Gasperavicius and Connelly did have efforts on goal but both were well held by Onigbanjo.

Barking & Dagenham continued to create chances and put the seal on an impressive performance with a fifth. Millburn’s well-struck free-kick looked destined for the back of the net but Karim made sure by applying a deft touch, which took the ball past the despairing dive of Onigbanjo.

There was still time for the home side to create another chance as Connelly set Karim through on goal. Karim’s first effort was well saved by Onigbanjo and the follow up was blasted over by the same player. 

That was the last action of a game that Barking & Dagenham dominated from start to finish. They will now look to produce an equally impressive performance when they open their Essex Finch League campaign with a trip to pre-season favourites Thurrock next weekend. 

Barking & Dagenham: Dean (D Barley),  Rice (Southwood), Onajobi (Becontree), Karim (Parsloes), Milburn (Five Elms), Gasperavicius (W Bellamy), Connolly, Rich, Martin (Valence), Fawunmi (H Hall)