21/1/17 – London Girls’ League

Barking & Dagenham 0-0 Woking

Clean Sheet

BARKING & DAGENHAM STRETCHED their unbeaten run in the London Girls’ League to ten matches but couldn’t find a way through against visitors Woking. A step up in standard from previous opponents, the well-organised Surrey outfit counter-attacked well to claim a point in a second succesive stalemate between the two boroughs.

Woking’s comfort at playing district football was signalled from the off as a succession of probing raids found a ponderous Barking & Dagenham on the back foot. Keeper Kaydee Bhavnani had to be at her best to repel any incursions into her area, whilst several last ditch touches, tackles and clearances kept the home side in the game.

Vital

Indeed it took until halfway through the first half until Barking & Dagenham created their first opportunity of note as Pahris Cotterell danced down the right flank before flashing a centre across goal. Grace Young looked on hand to convert but a vital touch from a sliding defender took the chance away.

Emily Brown – along with year five counterpart Young – were at the heart of Barking & Dagenham’s attacking thrust, playing with a maturity that was beyond their years. And with the introduction of Nour Khafaoui on the left flank, the hosts began to wrestle control of a tense second half.

Khalfaoui’s goal-bound effort was deflected wide two minutes after the break for Barking & Dagenham’s best chance so far. The same player fired beyond the other post moments later following Cotterell’s powerful run.

Influence

All the second half chances fell to the hosts as Brown’s influence in centre midfield grew, with a series of efforts from the edge of the area well-saved by the visiting keeper.

Khalfaoui, Cotterell and Ella Eskelson were then all denied in goal-mouth scrambles.  However, despite the territorial possesion, Barking & Dagenham could not find a way through and had to settle for a share of the spoils.

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