St Margaret’s 6-0 St Peter’s
IT WAS SIX of the best for St Margaret’s Church of England Primary School as they blasted their way to victory in the Barking & Dagenham Post Trophy final. Lining up against holders St Peter’s, the result was in the balance until a late second half onslaught settled the score heavily in the Barking side’s favour.
St Margaret’s signalled their attacking intent early on when Mohammed Sesay found space on the right flank before firing a tester straight at Stephen Okoroafor in the St Peter’s goal.
A further chance was spurned moments later when Victor Okiode screwed wide from six yards with the goalmouth gaping.
At the other end, St Peter’s best chance of the first half came when a long ball over the top saw Joshua Dim seize upon the opportunity to run at his opponents’ backline. The angle of his run saw him squeezed out wide though and his left-footed shot from an acute angle was blocked by the legs of keeper Ikenna Okorie.
That save proved pivotal as the resulting clearance found Justin Dako on a marauding run from the half-way line. Riding a series of heavy challenges, the St Margaret’s winger danced his way to the touchline before cutting back for Okiode. This time, the striker made no mistake to put his side 1-0 up.
The remainder of the first half passed largely incident free: Dako hit a post following a strong shout for handball and a long ball from St Peter’s Daniel Harris caused havoc just before half-time, prompting Okorie into a nervy header which fell just wide of his goal.
Four minutes in to the second half though, St Margaret’s were given an ideal fillip as Dako again burst clear. With three teammates baying for the ball in offside positions, Dako showed great composure to ignore their calls and finish neatly into the bottom corner from just inside the area.
Diego Kamanda almost made it three when his twenty-five yard freekick was tipped onto the bar whilst Martins Ogunyemi fired wide from a similar position for St Peter’s.
With just five minutes left on the clock, St Margaret’s began to power clear. First, Sesay saw his shot from the right-hand edge of the penalty area charged down however Akiode was on-hand to prod home the loose ball for his second of the afternoon.
And as confidence flowed, so did the goals. Calvyn Massala converted a dangerous St Margaret’s corner to make it four whilst Dako doubled his tally shortly after following a typically dazzling run.
In the final throes, Tosin Quadri went close for the runners-up as he looked to convert Dim’s cross. And Harris saw a pot-shot from distance go well over as St Peter’s went in search of a consolation goal.
But, when Sesay added a sixth with only seconds remaining, the game was settled beyond doubt.
St Margaret’s: Okenna Okorie, Mohamed Sesay, Diego Kamanda, Tobi Ogunsola, Nana Opoku, Arnold Sekandi, Vincent Eboh, Calvyn Massala, Justin Dako, Andres Orsi Del Aguila, Victor Sawo, Victor Akiode, Charles Bonney, Nathaniel Davis
St Peter’s: Stephen Okoroafor, Charlie Gell, Paul Nwodowilly, Jesse Anyanwu, Emeka Igwenagu, Abraham Akinduro, Martins Ogunyemi, Chuchu Okoro, Daniel Harris, Joshua Dim, Tosin Quadri
