St Peter’s 2-0 Five Elms
ST PETER’S CATHOLIC PRIMARY school celebrated in style as they lifted the Barking & Dagenham Post Trophy for the first time after overcoming a spirited Five Elms team in the final at May & Baker. A goal in each half sealed it for the Goresbrook Road side who ended up as the top scorers in the competition with nineteen goals, having only conceded one along their way to the title.
The first half was a slow-burner with neither side able to create any real clear-cut chance in helter-skelter opening where both sides battled hard for midfield supremacy.
There was only ten minutes remaining until half-time when the game’s first real opening was crafted however Five Elms stopper Xhejson Paqa was sharp off his line to bravely deny Timothy Samuel, diving at his feet near the edge of the box.
Brilliant
Samuel almost forged another opportunity moments later when he forced his way past two Five Elms’ challenges before seeing his goal-bound shot brilliantly deflected onto the post by opposition captain Alfie Emin.
The remaining minutes of the first half saw St Peter’s push forward in numbers in search of an advantage but found Paqa in superb form as he first denied Jervayn Kinch, then Aidan McHale with mid-range efforts that stung his palms.
Five Elms threatened on the break with the direct running of Josiah Poulter and probing passes from Charlie Carr – but it was St Peter’s who continue to carve out the best openings.
So, when it came, the goal was no surprise. A loose ball around the edge of the Five Elms box wasn’t properly cleared and Kinch seized his chance, poking home a first-time snapshot that left Paqa with no chance to give St Peter’s the lead.
Defiance
After the interval, St Peter’s forced a series of dangerous corners as they tried to put the game to bed. Eventually, one of those crosses paid off as the excellent Jayden Thiongo found room to fire a fierce effort goal-bound from close in. Paqa, once again, produced an amazing point-blank reaction save in defiance but the loose ball fell kindly to well-placed Wina Egharevba who converted calmly on the follow-up.
That meant that when Brendan Bissong, Samuel and Kinch all had further opportunities to score, the game looked to be all but over.
However, Five Elms showed dogged resistance to fight their way back into the game and were unlucky not to get some reward for their endeavours.
First of all, Carr’s free-kick inside the area found Richard Sardokie unmarked however the latter’s shot was charged down by the onrushing St Peter’s backline.
Pressure
Then Abul Hassan’s ball over the top found Reece Winston in acres of space in behind. Keeper Daniel Igene showed sharp reactions coming off his line to close down the angle, doing just enough to pressure the finish so that it found the upright rather than the net.
A consolation goal would have been well-deserved for Five Elms whose excellent sportsmanship and approach to the game has won them many fans during the season. However it was an equally deserving St Peter’s who matched their example and edged it on the day as worthy winners.
St Peter’s: Daniel Igene, Onye Umeh, Brian Eze, Anthony Da Silva, Jayden Freeman, Jayden Thiongo (c), Kacper Bernas, Jervayn Kinch, Timothy Samuel, Wyatt Lopez, Aidan McHale, Wina Egharevba, Brandon Bissong
Five Elms: Alfie Emin (c), Xhejson Paqa, Tomisin Fagade, Ilhan Kisa, Reece Winston, Charlie Carr, Richard Sarkodie, Josiah Poulter, Samuel Kastrati, Abul Hasan, Lyam Kirton