Wandsworth 1-2 Barking & Dagenham
BARKING & DAGENHAM HAD TO dig deep during a second half onslaught against much-fancied Wandsworth to progress to the final of the inaugural Southern Counties Girls’ Cup. A goal in each half from Emily Brown and Holly Anderson secured the win as the district girls survived a late scare to come out on top in a tense and tight encounter.
The semi-final began at a frantic pace with Wandsworth striking a post in the second minute and Emily Brown testing out the home keeper at the other end seconds later.
Mario Omotayo saved well in the fifth minute, diving to her right to push a fierce drive wide.
Toe-To-Toe
Wandsworth’s passing game probed and prodded at the visitors’ back-line but Ianna Msekwa and Abigail Asare remained strong, enabling Barking & Dagenham to go toe-to-toe against the hosts.
The endless running of Miquellah Meade and Grace Young on the flanks continued to ask questions of the Wandsworth defence as Brown, Young and Anderson all had half-chances to open their account for the day.
In the end, it was skipper Brown who seized upon a poor clearance to calmly pass home a left-foot finish into the empty net on the stroke of half-time.
After the interval, Barking & Dagenham held their shape well, limiting Wandsworth to speculative efforts from range.
Camped in the visitors’ half, Wandsworth continued to be frustrated by Msekwa who won tackle after tackle, embodying the spirit of her side. Asare and Meade were on hand to tidy up anyone who got the better of the George Carey captain whilst Omotayo was in stunning form with a series of diving stops.
Doubled
For all of Wandsworth’s possession and territory, Barking & Dagenham looked organised and in control, especially when Anderson doubled the advantage in similar fashion to the first with under ten minutes remaining.
Wandsworth responded by throwing bodies forward in an attempt to gain a foothold in the game. Brown, Msekwa, Meade, Young and Asare all made last gasp tackles and Omotayo continued to enjoy her best game between the sticks.
However, Barking & Dagenham were powerless to stop a well-struck consolation two minutes from time as the visitors flagged on the heavy pitch.
Despite the setback, Barking & Dagenham held firm through the closing stages and now wait to see who their opponents will be in the showpiece final on the 7th of May.
Barking & Dagenham: Emily Brown (Godwin); Kayla Grain (Richard Alibon); Miquelleh Meade (Henry Green); Ellie Mai Morgan (Henry Green); Ianna Msekwa (George Carey); Maria Omotayo (Roding); Grace Young (Hunters Hall); Holly Anderson (Grafton); Abigail Asare (Henry Green)