Barking & Dagenham 6-0 North West Essex
BARKING & DAGENHAM BOUNCED BACK from their ESFA Cup exit in the previous match with a fabulous victory, running out 6-0 winners over North West Essex in the county district league. Top scorer Tolu Elufowoju ran riot, doubling her tally for the season with four, ably supported by Jasmine Amrane’s brace and a solid display from a team hungry for goals.
It took just twelve seconds for Elufowoju to signal her intent as she slalomed past five challenges on a devastating run from the half-way that left the opposition defence for dead, before drawing an early save from the visiting keeper.
A minute later, Elufowoju was through again as Atene Skendelis’ through ball picked out the Rush Green striker in the box, only for the resulting shot to be dragged wide.
Drilled
It was third time lucky though as, moments later, Amrane’s drilled near post corner was converted by Elufowoju from close range to give Barking & Dagenham the lead.
In the seventh minute, poacher turned provider as the roles were reversed – this time Elufowoju laying off for Amrane to slot home her third of the season from the edge of the box.
The directness of Barking & Dagenham’s play was causing no end of problems for the visitors, exemplified by keeper Francisca Arhin’s punt up-field which was flicked on behind the North West Essex backline by Sasha Stoute, perfectly into the path of Elufowoju. Her first-time lob on the run dropped agonisingly over the bar but, by now, Barking & Dagenham were rampant.
Inevitably, the third came via the same route as the first. This time, Elufowoju was alert to intercept an errant goal-kick before advancing on goal. Her first attempt was bravely blocked, however there was nothing the keeper could do to stop the second, with the hosts now in total control.
A trademark curling effort from distance by Amrane made it four shortly afterwards.
Just twenty-three minutes had passed but the points were all but secured.
Press
In the second half, Barking & Dagenham continued to press.
Five minutes after the break, Elufowoju played in Jaydee Williams only for a fine save to deny the Goresbrook forward when well placed.
And a minute later, Raima Hossain’s flashing feet split apart the home defence once again, with an inside pass to Elufowoju squared to Amelia Hussain at the back post, ending with a defiant stop by the visiting keeper.
When the fifth came, Elufowoju deservedly claimed her first district hat-trick. A quick one-two with winger Williams found the skipper running clear on the edge of the box and an emphatic finish stretched the lead further.
And when Amrane’s late corner was converted by Elufowoju for the final goal of the day, it was nothing less than Barking & Dagenham deserved after a confident and much-needed home display.
Prior to Saturday, the district side’s four home games had not yielded a goal, never mind a win. All that has now changed, with an inaugural Essex League title still on the cards if Barking & Dagenham can secure victories in their final four matches in the competition.
Barking & Dagenham: Ajewole (George Carey), Skendelis (Godwin), Arhin (Northbury), Petrauskaite (Richard Alibon), Williams (Goresbrook), Stoute (Rush Green), Rimkeviciute (William Bellamy), Elufowoju (Rush Green), Hossain (Northbury), Ameny (Valence), Amrane (Gascoigne), Hussain (Richard Alibon)