Barking & Dagenham 3-0 Havering

FOR THE FIRST TIME since 2019, Barking & Dagenham are Essex Schools FA champions after completing their county campaign with their 100% record intact following victory over neighbours Havering. Finishing well clear of the chasing pack, the BAD Girls have been the dominant force this season, registering their nineteenth straight win across all competitions thanks to yet another fuss-free team display.

Strikes from Aaliyah Felix and Abbie Blewitt (2) registered their side’s seventy-fourth, seventy-fifth and seventy-sixth goals of the season.

But it was a commanding performance from Simonette Johnson that really caught the eye, with the St Peter’s forward starting in the backline for the first time ever due to the absence of defensive lynchpin Bella Yorke.

Presence

If there were any nerves there, no-one would have known as Johnson mopped up time and again thanks to expert positioning, incredible strength and pace, as well as a calm, steadying presence in the face of the Havering assault.

The clean sheet was fully justified as Paloma Correia and Lily Imititikua secured the flanks either side of their inspirational team-mate, ably backed up by the tracking of the grafting midfield in front.

At the other end, the outstanding Lily-Mae Fisher was denied in the fifth minute when Felix’s raking ball set her free in the box, cutting in from the left wing. A last gasp challenge bravely blocked the effort, and the hosts had to settle for a corner.

In fact, corners proved to be Havering’s undoing when, three minutes later, a further foray forward resulted in Blewitt brushing herself down to fire across another.

Innocuous

The loose ball bobbled around in the box with Whitney James and Felix both poised to fire off a shot. The latter got there first, with a toe-poked effort that the captain managed to edge innocuously goal-wards. Somehow, the attempt trickled through the crowd, catching out the unsighted keeper, and over the line for the first catch of the day.

Three minutes later, the lead was doubled. It was yet another Blewitt corner that did the damage, the Hunters Hall playmaker finding the net with a wicked inswinger that swept inside the far post with curl, dip and venom.

Further chances proved few and far between.

Correia’s effort was saved at the near post when the speedy winger won possession from a goal-kick and drilled a tester, low and hard.

Then in the second half, Johnson strode out from the back before spreading play wide to Southwood’s Jo Mecvari. Her dangerous centre was knocked on by Bella Hines, only for Theresa Ezea to fire over from six yards in spectacular fashion.

Full-Stretch

Ezea could have extended the lead five minutes from time when cutting in from the left to blast goalwards. This time, she connected sweetly but an outstanding save, with the Havering keeper diving at full-stretch, prevented Ezea’s twenty-first of the season.

A minute later though and it was all over.

Blewitt found herself with the ball at her feet twenty-five yards out. With space opening up in front, the midfielder stepped forward and casually placed the ball into the top corner to register her ninth of the season, all coming in her last four games.

Congratulations

Congratulations must go to a fabulous set of players who continue to represent their borough with pride and distinction. This is the third time Barking & Dagenham have captured the county crown, but the first time since the post-Covid switch from seven to nine-a-side. In truth, it has never looked in doubt for many weeks but to wrap it up in such style shows how far this team have come in such a short time.

They now go into the Easter break full of confidence and with the honour of being Essex champions. The Southern Counties League Cup, Southern Counties Cup and London Girls’ League competitions await.

Barking & Dagenham: Grace Attwood-Adams (The Leys), Paloma Correia (George Carey), Theresa Ezea (St Peter’s), Aaliyah Felix (Goresbrook), Lilly-Mae Fisher (Roding), Lily Imititikua (St Peter’s), Whitney James (Rose Lane), Simonette Johnson (St Peter’s), Abbie Blewitt (Hunters Hall), Jo Mecvari (Southwood), Bella Hines (Northbury)