Brent 1-1 Barking & Dagenham
A DOGGED AWAY DISPLAY from valiant Barking & Dagenham U11s saw them emerge from their London Girls’ League encounter against Brent with a valuable point. With a much-changed line-up, a true backs-to-the-wall performance saw the visitors hold on for the draw – largely thanks to Nour Khalfaoui’s twelfth of the season and Kaydee Bhavnani’s heroics between the posts.
The game began at a hundred miles an hour as Brent (the Surrey League champions) charged forward on the break – their direct style pinning Barking & Dagenham back deep into their own half. And whilst Pahris Cotterell threatened with a succession of well-struck efforts from distance, the majority of the opening half was played in Barking & Dagenham’s final third as the home side dominated territory and possession.
Firm
Therefore it was the turn of the visitors’ backline to shine as defensive duo Aaliyah Young and Tina Mutuale held firm with a mulititude of blocks, interceptions and clearances.
When Brent managed to break through, they found keeper Bhavnani in resolute form with a hat-trick of stunning saves. The first came on fifteen minutes when she dived acrobatically to tip away a dipping free-kick. A minute later, she was on hand to charge off her line and bravely block away a one-on-one opening. And on the stroke of half-time, a dangerous Brent corner bobbled around in the box, resulting in a point-blank save before the follow-up effort hit the post and was scrambled away.
Despite their resolve, the visitors fell behind shortly after the break. A long through-ball down the left was siezed upon and duly converted to give the hosts just rewards for their dominance.
Much Improved
However, the goal only succeeded in awakening the Barking & Dagenham beast as the girls came back fighting in a much-improved second half.
The first real attempt on goal came when debutant Takyra Smith was felled on the edge of the box. Cotterell’s firmly hit free-kick was destined for the net until a block on the line thwarted the attempt.
The captain burst through again moments later, following a trademark mazey run – however her off-balance shot from an acute angle was always spinning wide.
In the end, the equaliser finally came as a result of the endless energy and industry of Ella Eskelson. From Mutuale’s quickly taken throw-in, the Hunters Hall striker charged down three attempts to clear the ball until it finally rolled to Khafaoui ten yards out. Her schoolmate made no mistake with a first-time finish and Barking & Dagenham were back in the tie.
Indeed, the visitors almost snatched it in the dying stages as Cotterell screwed wide and Layla Duffield – who was outstandingly tenacious throughout – volleyed wide.
Defeat would have been harsh on either side however as both teams drew positives from a thrilling game full of pace, skill and aggression.
Barking & Dagenham: K Bhavnani (Parsloes); A Young (James Cambell); L Duffield (Godwin); T Mutuale (Henry Green); P Cotterell (Manor Longbridge); E Eskelson, N Khalfaoui, G Young (Hunters Hall), T Smith (Thames View)