1/6/17 – Wandsworth Festival

BARKING & DAGENHAM DISTRICT GIRLS’ side warmed up for their remaining two league fixtures with a run-out at the Wandsworth Festival, picking up a balanced record of one win, two draws and one defeat along the way.

First up were Brent who provided dogged resistance to the Barking & Dagenham attack under bright skies and searing sunshine. Pahris Cotterell and Ella Eskelson both had chances in the first half from distance however it was Emily Brown who came closest to scoring when her well-flighted free-kick from twenty yards cannoned back off the bar seconds before the referee blew up for full-time.

End-to-End

An end-to-end encounter with the hosts followed, with Layla Duffield, Emily Brown and Cotterell combining in a flowing move from the kick-off, resulting in the latter’s well-struck effort being tipped around the post by the home keeper.

Last Ditch

At the other end, Tina Mutuale’s last-ditch sliding tackle saved a certain goal for Wandsworth whilst Grace Young volleyed over for Barking & Dagenham following Brown’s dangerous corner.

Keeper Jessica Nwosu, on debut, was then called upon to make a defiant two-handed block on the stroke of half-time as the game continued to ebb and flow.

The breakthrough came when Duffield brought the ball out of her own penalty area from a Wandsworth corner and drove into midfield. A quick glance up and a stunning quarter-backed thirty-yard diagonal pass picked out Cotterell behind the home rear-guard, the captain finishing well to give her side the lead.

Brilliant

Wandsworth were in no mood to lie down however as Aaliyah Young’s brave tackling, a free-kick that smashed against the woodwork and a brilliant diving stop from Nwosu combined to prevent what would have been a deserved equaliser.

Brave Tackles

A frustrating 0-0 draw with South London followed as Barking & Dagenham enjoyed the bulk of possession without creating many opportunities to score. Cotterell’s solo effort was tipped over in the first minute and the same player went close when her swivelled shot was blocked by the keeper’s shins following Brown’s free-kick into the box.

A similar tale of frustration emerged during the final game against Croydon. Despite enjoying positive territory and possession, Barking & Dagenham struggled to open-up their opponents in the final third. The influential Duffield remained the best hope of creating a goal however a brace of dangerous crosses from her customary right-flank position lacked a body in the box to convert them.

Sucker Punch

Not once, but twice, Barking & Dagenham were then done with a sucker punch. First, a long throw-in for Croydon was deflected through a crowd, eventually finding its way into the Barking & Dagenham goal. Then, as bodies were pushed forward in search of an equaliser, a cut-throat counter attack saw Croydon double their advantage with the final kick of the game.

The second goal was harsh on Barking & Dagenham who had competed well throughout. However, as the only team in the festival to play four consecutive matches, the heat of the day and intensity of battle finally took its toll.

The district side return to league action on the 10th June as they play host to second placed Lewisham at Barking Abbey.

Barking & Dagenham: A Young (James Cambell); L Duffield, E Brown (Godwin); T Mutuale, J Nwosu (Henry Green); P Cotterell (Manor Longbridge); E Eskelson, G Young (Hunters Hall)