Barking & Dagenham 5-0 Chelmsford & Mid Essex

A FRONT-TO-BACK ALL-ROUND TEAM performance rubber stamped yet another win for Barking & Dagenham, who laid down an impressive marker for the coming Essex Schools FA Girls’ League campaign with their opening points in this year’s competition. The game was lit up by Paloma Correia’s dazzling wing-play, which saw her create countless chances, converting two of her own, backed up by Simonette Johnson’s brace and Theresa Ezea’s seventh of the season.

Knowing a bright start may prove crucial, the home side duly obliged. As the twenty-fifth second ticked by, Johnson latched onto Ezea’s low cross in the box, skipped past two challenges and slammed home in time for the twenty-ninth.

And it was nearly two just a minute later when Aaliyah Felix’s corner was volleyed into the keeper’s arms by Johnson in the box.

A hat-trick of chances for Johnson inside the opening three minutes saw the St Peter’s midfielder collect James’ throw-in before flashing wide of the far upright.

Slammed

However, by the fourth minute she had her second. Another dangerous Felix corner zipped past Ezea’s air-shot six yards out, but Lily-Mae Fisher collected on the other side of the area, laying off to Johnson who slammed home from close range.

Just as pleasing as the goals though was the ever-evolving solidity of Barking & Dagenham’s defensive shape. The back line of Lily Imititikua, Whitney James and the ever-superb Bella Yorke gave no sniff of a chance to visitors Chelmsford, providing the calm foundations for their side’s attacking sorties.

And it was from deep in their own half that Barking & Dagenham began their third, Felix launching a high-ball behind the visitors’ rearguard from her own penalty area.

From half-way, Ezea showed power, pace and balance to race clear, holding off a last-ditch challenge to fire away a firm strike. A wonderful save denied the initial attempt but Correia’s supporting run left her in perfect position to scramble the ball over the line for her fifth of the season.

Roles Reversed

Five minutes later and the roles were reversed as Correia slipped in Ezea, clear of the Chelmsford defence once again.

In familiar fashion, Ezea’s shot looked destined for the net and her first of the morning, until a big right hand got down low on the line, providing the save of the game and denying Barking & Dagenham a fourth six minutes before half-time.

But it was only a matter of time.

It was Felix dropping deep who won possession and spread play to the wing where Correia’s endless running was causing havoc. On this occasion, she raced clean through of the last defender, drawing the keeper and blasting low.

Another fine save blocked the shot. Ezea though had crept unnoticed into the middle, and was on hand to coolly slot away the loose ball and gain revenge for her earlier frustration.

Midway through the second half it was five. This time, Correia showed she had learnt from her previous effort, skipping away and inside before advancing into the box down the right-hand side. Greater power and greater accuracy ensured the visiting keeper had no chance as the ball settled into the bottom corner and the game was won.

There could have been more: most memorably when Felix smashed an incredible effort against the crossbar from forty yards.

Control

However, Barking & Dagenham will feel more than satisfied with their efforts and an impressive score-line that reflected their dominance, confidence and control.

It was an impressive performance by any measure, especially for a side that only came together a month and a half ago. But this group of BAD Girls are starting to purr, oozing high-expectations and even higher outcomes. If they can take victory in their remaining game of 2024 – away at Basildon in two weeks’ time – they will go into the New Year in pole position in every competition they will contest.

That must now be the aim.

Barking & Dagenham: Grace Attwood-Adams (The Leys), Paloma Correia (George Carey), Theresa Ezea (St Peter’s), Aaliyah Felix (Goresbrook), Lily-Mae Fisher (Roding), Bella Hines (Richard Alibon), Lily Imititikua (St Peter’s), Whitney James (Rose Lane), Simonette Johnson (St Peter’s), Amelia Pike (Valence), Bella Yorke (Northbury)