Barking & Dagenham 0-2 Chelmsford & Mid Essex
A GOAL IN EACH half for the county league leaders, Chelmsford & Mid Essex, halted Barking & Dagenham’s five match unbeaten run, the opponents leaving with all three points in a strong performance that reminded the hosts of the demands of district football. With recent 7-0 and 9-0 victories over North West Essex and Barnet respectively, the free-scoring visitors were given more of a challenge by their stubborn hosts, but the endless waves of Chelmsford & Mid Essex pressure finally took their toll despite the heroics of Francisca Arhin in the home goal.
Barking & Dagenham knew a bright start would be vital.
And they set about their task in fine fettle, on the front foot and taking the initiative and showing purposeful attacking intent.
Lively
Jasmine Amrane buzzed around midfield in lively style, penetrating the Chelmsford back-line and committing defenders to make space for others.
On one such early run, a quick one-two on the edge of the box with the equally impressive Tolu Elufowoju saw a drive from fifteen yards fall narrowly wide of the post as Barking & Dagenham carved out the first real opening of the game.
And a minute later, winger Dominyka Petrauskaite’s left-sided run from half-way saw her play in a perfect through ball for Elufowoju, only for a moment’s hesitation to provide the opportunity the visiting keeper needed to snuff out the chance for the first goal.
Rusne Rimkeviciute’s slide-rule pass then sent Petrauskaite off and running for a further attempt as it became clear to Chelmsford & Mid Essex that this Barking & Dagenham side was a step up from their most recent challenges.
With eight minutes to half-time though, the visitors were gifted a break-through. A free-kick conceded twenty yards out was curled into the top corner and Barking & Dagenham were behind in a game for the first time since the opening day of the season.
Scenting blood, Chelmsford pressed hard for a second before the interval. Arhin’s handling was tested several times, with a barrage of attempts from the edge of the box that probed away to double the advantage.
Chance
The home side reached half-time still in the game, knowing that they still had the chance to take the points – as long as their passing and ball retention were to match their commitment and energy.
Despite the intent however, Barking & Dagenham struggled to find any real attacking rhythm, with Chelmsford & Mid Essex pinning them back to their box and any counter attacks lacking focus and precision.
Atene Skendelis was in typically defiant form in the Barking & Dagenham engine room but as legs around her began to tire, the resistance was increasingly tested.
As a result, Arhin was in the thick of the action time and again as a succession of dangerous corners threatened throughout the second half, with a dozen stops, blocks and saves keeping Chelmsford & Mid Essex at bay.
With such dogged defensive determination on show, the manner of the second goal was therefore a cause of frustration. Having dealt with several dangerous balls into the penalty area, this time Barking & Dagenham froze, allowing the sole Chelmsford forward to arrive in the box all the time in the world to pick her spot and confirm the win.
Barking & Dagenham pushed for a consolation, with commendable energy and enthusiasm. But by now the damage was done.
Optimism
The result was a blow for proud Barking & Dagenham, however the progress made since they last tasted defeat in early October should not be underestimated: this team has repeatedly shown the talent and ability contained within their ranks and there is plenty of optimism for the games ahead. Next up is the final fixture of 2022, when the district side travel to Basildon for their next Essex League match.
If their hopes of challenging for the title are to remain alive, nothing less than a win will be vital.
Barking & Dagenham: Ajewole (George Carey), Skendelis (Godwin), Williams (Goresbrook), Arhin (Northbury), Hossain (Northbury), Petrauskaite (Richard Alibon), Ameny (Valence), Rimkeviciute (William Bellamy), Amrane (Gascoigne), Elufowoju (Rush Green), Hussain (Richard Alibon)