27/5/17 – Finch Cup Semi-Final

Barking & Dagenham 4-4 Chelmsford & Mid-Essex  (4-5 on pens)

BARKING & DAGENHAM U11S SUFFERED semi-final heartbreak as they went out of the Essex Schools’ Finch Cup on penalties to Chelmsford & Mid Essex. Barking & Dagenham had found themselves 3-0 down but a brilliant second half showing saw them lead 4-3, only for Chelmsford to grab a late equaliser to send the tie in to extra-time. Despite dominating, Barking & Dagenham were unable to get a winner and it was Chelmsford who held their nerve in the shootout to go through. 

The opening exchanges were even, with both sides playing some lovely football.
Barking & Dagenham, who had already heavily lost twice to Chelmsford this season, went close with a low effort from Favour Fawunmi and Harry Milburn saw his fierce drive defelcted wide.
At the other end, Max Toolan drew a smart save from Tyler Rice and Tom Arnold saw his volley fly narrowly over.
End-to-End
As the half reached halfway, the game coninued to be end-to-end but it was Chelmsofrd who drew first blood when Arnold fired home an exquisite free-kick from twenty-five yards.
Not for the first time this season, the goal caused panic in the Barking & Dagenham side and Chelmsford soon doubled their lead when Arnold’s pull back was stabbed home by Toolan. Moments later, two became three as Chelmsford took control of the tie. This time, Ben Heath gave Rice no chance with a low drive and Barking & Dagenham had it all to do. 
 
At this stage, many teams would have given up but Barking & Dagenham refused to lie down and set about getting themselves back in the game. Amin Karim first went close with a snap-shot before Fawunmi tested the home keeper with a dipping volley.
Chelmsford seemed content on sitting back and trying to hit Barking & Dagenham on the counter attack but Barking & Dagenham did pull a goal back just before the break. Fawunmi finishing well after a marauding run and centre from Joe Martin. 
Possessed
 
Barking & Dagenham came out for the second period like a team possessed and immediately had the home side on the back foot. Fawunmi scored his second in the opening stages; firing past the Chelmsford keeper from an acute angle.
With the next attack, Millburn drew his side level with a brilliant strike. He picked the ball up twenty-five yards from goal before firing the ball into the top corner, giving the Chelmsford keeper no chance.
With their tails up, Barking & Dagenham continued to dominate proceedings and the home side, who had looked home and dry at 3-0, were now hanging on. And it wasn’t long before Barking & Dagenham had completed a remarkable turnaround – Karim poking home from close range after Chelmsford had failed to clear and Barking & Dagenham found themselves 4-3 up.
Chelmsford had no answer to Barking & Dagenham’s determination and only another save from the home keeper prevented Fawunmi from further increasing Barking & Dagenham lead.
Level
Charlie Rich was then denied by a desperate block but, with minutes left, Chelmsford managed to haul themselves level. A soft free-kick on the edge of the box gave Tommy Taylor a chance to have a shot on goal and his effort somehow squeezed past Brandon Dean to draw the sides level.
There was still time for Barking & Dagenham to create another chance but Millburn’s rasping drive struck the bar before boucning away to safety and the game would need extra time. 
 
Barking & Dagenham, as they had done in the second half of normal time, dominated possession in the extra time but were unable to grab a winner. Fawunmi saw his effort pushed onto the post and Karim almost got on the end of an Emis Gasperavicius cross.
Lottery
However, it wasn’t to be and the game would need to de decided by the lottery of spot kicks. Rice made a brilliant save to give Barking & Dagenham an early advantage but they were unable to hold on to that and it was Chelmsford who progressed when they scored their first sudden death penalty.
Defeat was harsh on Barking & Dagenham, who had produced a truly outstanding performance only to be denied in the cruelest of circumstances. The defeat signalled the end of the boys’ season; one which has been brilliant both on and off the pitch.