Havering 2-2 Barking & Dagenham
THE FINAL GAME OF 2023 saw Essex Girls’ League table-toppers Barking & Dagenham carve out a 2-0 lead against hosts Havering, before their opponents fought back with two breakaway goals to level the score-line. With injuries and illness reducing options from the bench, the visitors visibly tired on a heavy pitch but still held on to earn what could prove to be a vital point in an ever-tightening jostle for position.
In boggy conditions, Barking & Dagenham struggled to find the same rhythm that pulsed through last week’s victory at Waltham Forest, however there was plenty of optimism that the wing-play of Malaika Uwandji and Aaliyah Felix could breakdown their opponents who left plenty of numbers back, threatening with pace on the break.
Opener
A succession of cynical fouls further disrupted any momentum the visitors were able to build, but also provided opportunity for Uwandji to test the home keeper’s handling, with variable results.
It took until nine minutes before the break for the opener to come. Uwandji proved a constant menace down the left, and on a typical marauding raid, she cut back onto her right foot before whipping a dangerous ball towards the penalty area.
The cross was only half dealt with as Felix’s challenge kept the ball alive for top scorer Simonette Johnson to find space before drilling a pinpoint finish into the bottom corner.
Uwandji later tested the home keeper with several further free-kicks from distance but the second goal had to wait until kicking off for the second half.
Zainab Toray laid the ball back to Abbie Blewitt who sprayed an exquisite ball out left to Uwandji. And from then on Havering were on the back-foot as the Roding forward drove with intent into the heart of their defences.
Uwandji first cruised past the first challenge in midfield before bearing down on the box to skip past another, cutting in towards goal and smashing an unstoppable blast through the keeper’s hands for the ideal start to the half.
Hole
Almost immediately though, Havering pulled one back when a cavernous hole opened up in the centre of the Barking & Dagenham back-line. With the rest of the side unable to claw back the head-start gifted to the opposition striker, the inevitable goal ensued and what should have been a comfortable lead was now in a much more precarious position.
Havering now threw bodies forward in search of an equaliser, but this left the home side susceptible to Barking & Dagenham’s strengths.
Uwandji continued to cause chaos, going close after the restart before Felix, then Uwandji, then Uwandji again all were denied despite favourable circumstances.
And midway through the half, the home keeper was down well to tip wide from another Uwandji attempt.
Barking & Dagenham were made to pay for their profligacy a couple of minutes later when hesitant tackling around the edge of the box presented Havering with a deserved equaliser.
Erratic officiating in the closing stages compounded Barking & Dagenham’s problems, with no substitutes available and their opponents tails well and truly up.
Mariah Mateus and Gilda Hasani provided impressive focus at the back, whilst keeper Emily Peka was down well on more than one occasion, showing impressive handling in tricky conditions.
Final Seconds
Still though, the visitors managed to create opportunities: Comfort Mazel, Felix, Johnson and Uwandji all posed problems as the final seconds ticked by.
Ultimately though, both sides will have left grateful for a share of the spoils in a competitive and close tie that either team could have won.
That is it now for Barking & Dagenham until the New Year when they take the annual pilgrimage to Longlevens – home of good friends Gloucester – aiming to get back in the saddle as soon as possible in 2024.
Barking & Dagenham: Emily Peka (Valence); Jona Islami (Roding); Gilda Hasani (Northbury); Abbie Blewitt (Hunters Hall); Malaika Uwandji (Roding); Aaliyah Felix (Goresbrook); Simonette Johnson (St Peter’s); Comfort Mazel (Godwin); Maria Mateus (George Carey); Zainab Touray (Northbury)