Newbury 1-1 Barking & Dagenham*

(*a.e.t.: 2-1 on pens)

BRAVE BARKING & DAGENHAM BATTLED from first whistle to last in pursuit of a place in the quarter-finals of the Southern Counties Cup, going toe-to-toe with unbeaten Newbury, until heartbreak eventually arrived in the cruellest of fashions. The free-scoring Berkshire side had been held to a single goal before being pegged back by Aaliyah Felix’s second half strike in a game that could have been 8-8. Eventually, the agony of spot-kicks saw the five-time finalists make an early exit from the competition – although they could hold their heads high on the long journey back more than satisfied with the effort, skill and determination on display.

Newbury’s potent attacking line-up signalled their intent in the opening minute, drawing a fine early stop from keeper Emily Peka after their twenty-five-goal leading scorer cut through the visitor’s backline with a direct, penetrating run.

End-to-End

But for the rest of the half, the game swung from end-to-end with Barking & Dagenham more than holding their own against their much more experienced opponents who featured a trio of players from Arsenal and Reading’s academies amongst their ranks.

The lead was taken in the twelfth minute when Newbury’s midfield was afforded too much time on the edge of the Barking & Dagenham box, with defenders standing off to invite a low finish into the bottom corner.

From kick-off though, the visitors were almost back on level terms when Godwin’s Comfort Mazel clipped an exquisite ball over the top for Malaika Unwandji to sprint clear before firing into the side netting as the advancing keeper narrowed the angle.

And two minutes later, Uwandji was in again, this time firing over the bar from a similar position down the right flank.

Peka produced a brace of saves at the other end before Uwandji skipped clear down the right once again. In similar fashion, the home keeper was straight off her line to force Barking & Dagenham’s tricky winger into a decision. This time, the attempted lob dropped just wide of the post and trickled over the line.

Best Chance

From the resultant goal-kick though, Barking & Dagenham had their best chance of all when the misplaced punt up-field fell straight to Abbie Blewitt on the edge of the box. The Hunters Hall midfielder did everything right: drilling a goal-bound effort on target, with the keeper wrong-footed as she headed in the opposite direction. From nowhere though, she adjusted her feet magnificently and thrust a firm hand to her right to somehow paw the ball away for a corner.

Uwandji drew a further save four minutes before half-time, with Paloma Correia’s follow up needing more power before Simonette Johnson almost levelled seconds before the break.

Whereas the first half was a free-flowing display of attacking football from both sides, the second proved more attritional, turning into an arm-wrestle between the home side’s lively attack and Barking & Dagenham’s belligerent backline.

The visitors kept their concentration brilliantly though with Amelia Hussain, Jona Islami and Maria Mateus standing firm behind the industry of Blewitt, Mazel and Gilda Hasani in midfield.

Threat

Newbury had chances: but every time they drew the trigger, pressure from a Barking & Dagenham defender nudged them off their stride, or produced a last second block, and the pattern of play was set, with the hosts on the front foot and the visitors soaking up the pressure to threaten on the break.

And with twenty minutes remaining, the scores were level. Blewitt’s low, drilled corner took a brace of deflections as it pinballed across the Newbury box, with Felix on hand to sweep home for a maiden district goal.

It was no less than Barking & Dagenham deserved, although they had to wait until extra-time for further opportunities of similar promise.

The first came when Johnson was felled by the last defender when clean through on goal. Uwandji’s free-kick from twenty-five yards had the necessary flight and power, but picked out the keeper in the centre of goal, much to Newbury’s relief.

Moments later, the nerves almost got to the home side when hesitancy in the penalty area saw Uwandji seize possession, before the resulting shot dribbled past the wrong side of the post once more.

With neither side able to take advantage of the opposition’s tiring legs, it came down to the worst way imaginable to decide a game of this quality.

Advantage

Newbury dispatched their first penalty, with Johnson pulling once back for the BAD Girls. The hosts netted once more, but Barking & Dagenham’s second attempt was saved, handing the advantage to Newbury.

Peka threw herself to her right on the next one, stretching a firm hand out to deflect the ball wide. However, the momentum on the ball saw it fall into the inside of the netting and victory was sealed.

Barking & Dagenham deserved more. The attitude, commitment and concentration on display was exemplary and it is hard to believe this side were only playing together for the fourth time. However, the game will serve as the next step on the team’s evolution: their Essex Girls’ League campaign begins next week and three trophies still remain up for grabs across the remainder of the season.

Barking & Dagenham: Emily Peka (Valence); Maria Mateus (George Carey); Jona Islami (Roding); Gilda Hasani (Northbury); Abbie Blewitt (Hunters Hall); Paloma Correia (George Carey); Amelia Hussain (Richard Alibon); Malaika Uwandji (Roding); Aaliyah Felix (Goresbrook); Simonette Johnson (St Peter’s); Comfort Mazel (Godwin)