JUST A GOAL. That is all that Barking & Dagenham girls needed to put the cap on a pair of vastly improved team performances in each of their latest fixtures against Hackney and Brent. After a chastening first weekend of district football, the borough side showed that they are quick learners, dominating both games without quite finding that elusive killer blow.
In fact, keeper Francisca Arhin touched the ball just once across both games as the backline of Chloe Ajewole, Rusne Rimkeviciute and Laura Ameny held firm with a succession of interceptions, tackles and blocks.
At the other end, Tolu Elufowoju looked sharp, making an early break in the second minute against Hackney before firing a low drive at the keeper to signal that she was in the mood.
Magic
Another piece of magic on the edge of the box from Elufowoju unlocked the visitors’ defence two minutes later, as she danced clear before picking out Jaydee Williams unmarked to her left. Another low drive then drew a second save from the keeper with it only looking like a matter of time before the hosts would go ahead.
Next it was Dominyka Petrauskaite’s turn to test the Hackney resolve when Raima Hossain picked out the Richard Alibon midfielder, only for the resulting shot to screw harmlessly wide.
The move of the day saw Ameny steel forward from the back with a confident stride before connecting with Hossain in central midfield. A calm pass inside then found Elufowoju once again. Twenty yards out in a central position, she advanced on goal – but once again a fine stop frustrated the Rush Green striker for a third time.
Seconds remained when the BAD Girls came even closer. This time, Sasha Stoute’s corner was helped on at the near post by Becky Adjoh-Davoh, with the onrushing Hossain unleashing a curling effort that flashed across goal, falling just the wrong side of the far post.
Work-Rate
With Brent defeating Hackney 2-0 in the intervening game, Barking & Dagenham knew their next match was there for the taking – as long as the industry and work-rate shown against Hackney was maintained.
The early signs were promising when Hossain crafted a further chance for Petrauskaite who ultimately drilled her attempt narrowly wide.
And moments later, Stoute showed great vision to slip Petrauskaite in down the right flank with a measured ball behind the Brent full-back. The subsequent centre was laid off under pressure left by Elufowoju for the onrushing Williams who let fly on the run, only to see her looping effort cannon back off the crossbar.
Despite dominating territory and possession for the rest of the game, it was the closest Barking & Dagenham were to come, with half chances for Petrauskaite and Williams all that could be mustered with both defences firmly on top.
But it was progress. The narrowest of margins prevented Barking & Dagenham from registering a brace of well-deserved wins – something that time and experience will surely solve. And when that elusive first goal of the season finally comes, many more will likely follow.
Barking & Dagenham: Ajewole (George Carey), Skendelis (Godwin), Williams (Goresbrook), Arhin (Northbury), Hossain (Northbury), Petrauskaite (Richard Alibon), Elufowoju (Rush Green), Stoute (Rush Green), Ameny (Valence), Rimkeviciute (William Bellamy), Adjoh-David (George Carey)