Newham, who came into the game with just one defeat all season, signalled their attacking intent in the opening stages. Jerome Thomas’ inviting cross caused some panic in the home defence. Thomas then set up Samson Uwandu but the latter’s  effort failed to trouble Brandon Dean in the home goal.

Barking & Dagenhams slowly grew into the game and went close with their first foray forward. Harry Millburn’s corner was met by Amin Karim’s head but Emmanuel Olutunji cleared the ball off the line. From the next corner, Martin rose highest but was unable to direct his header on target.

With some fierce challenges from both challenges, the game continued to be played a frantic pace. Millburn went close with a well-struck free kick after he had been upended twenty-five yards from goal.

Favour Fawunmi then drew a smart save from Hazeez Olowu in the Newham goal with a swerving free kick.

Newham were under pressure but almost hit the home side with a sucker punch. A long ball forward released Uwandu but Qudus Onajobi was able to get back in time to thwart the Newham striker with a smart block.

The home side continued to press forward and took a deserved lead halfway through the first half. Emis Gasperavicius showed tremendous pace to get in behind the Newham defence before crossing for Williams. Williams showed great control to return the ball back to Gasperavicius and his exquisite cross fell into the path of Williams, who gave Olowu no chance with a low finish.

Moments later Karim went close with a dipping volley as the home side continued to impress.

Newham, who had been in free-scoring mood in previous games, struggled to get into their stride, largely in part to the impressive home side, and almost fell further behind just before the break. Mason Stanton’s raking cross-field pass released Gasperavicius on the right. His first time cross flew across the goal where Karim was agonisingly close to applying the finishing touch.

Barking & Dagenham were quick out of the blocks in the second half and their pressing and sharp tackling continued to frustrate the visitors. A number of niggly fouls saw the flow of the game disrupted, meaning neither side were able to get any momentum but Barking & Dagenham were able to extend their lead courtesy of Martin’s seventh goal of the season. The home side were awarded a free kick twenty-five yards from goal and up stepped Martin to smash the ball into the top corner, with Olowu routed to the spot.

Newham almost responded immediately but Tyler Rice got down well to deny Modestas Kalinavskas after another long ball had caught the home side out.

The game continued to be played a frenetic speed with both sides giving their all in tackles. There was little by the way of goalmouth action although Fawunmi went close with a rasping drive from twenty yards.

With time running out, Newham threw caution to the wind and almost found a way back into the game when Kalinavskas flashed a cross across the face of the home goal but Charlie Rich showed great awareness to clear the ball.

Williams was then released by Stanton but he was unable to get his shot off in time.

Newham were beginning to show signs of frustration and the home side looked like seeing the game out.

However, with the game in injury time, the home side’s rearguard was finally breached. Thomas’ low cross wasn’t dealt with and Uwandu was able to bundle the ball home. This set up a grandstand finish and the home side had to withstand some late pressure but were able to hold firm and the final whistle saw them secure an impressive win.

The victory means that Barking & Dagenham only need to avoid defeat in their final group game against Havering to progress to the knockout stages.

Barking & Dagenham: Onajobi (Becontree), Karim (Parsloes), Gasperavicius (W Bellamy), Williams, Martin, Rich (Valence), Fawunmi (Hunters Hall), Stanton (Eastbury), Dean (Dorothy Barley), Millburn (Five Elms)