BARKING & DAGENHAM U11S HAD to settle for a fourth place finish at the Essex 7-a-sides. Despite playing some delightful football, the side were only able to record one win from their five games.

Barking & Dagenham started off against Redbridge and, although they dominated both possession and chances, they were unable to score and the game finished level.

Game two – against Chelmsford B – saw Barking & Dagenham control the whole game. However, their failure to convert one of the many chances was compounded when their opponents scored the game’s only goal via an unfortunate own goal.

Win

Barking & Dagenham went into their third game knowing that only a win would suffice against the previously unbeaten Chelmsford A. Once again Barking were the better side and scored their first goal of the morning when Somefechi Ukonu raced clear and coolly slotted home. Ukonu then grabbed a second goal in the second period as Barking finally secured a win that their performances had merited.

Results elsewhere meant the team’s fourth game against Thurrock was no more than a dead rubber and Thurrock took full advantage of some slack Barking defending to take an early 2-0 lead. Barking then reduced the deficit with the goal of the competition. A flowing, one-touch move saw Ukonu fire home for his third of the morning. However, any hopes of a stirring comeback were quickly dismissed as Thurrock scored two more quick goals to seal a 4-1 win.

Denied?

Barking & Dagenham went into their final game against Newham, with no more than pride to play for. Newham, meanwhile, needed a point to secure the title ahead of Redbridge. With nothing to play for, Barking could have been forgiven for going through the motions but they started off brilliantly and took an early lead courtesy of the competition’s top scorer, Ukonu. It was the first goal that Newham had conceded and threatened to deny Newham the title.

Barking continued to dominate the game and only some desperate defending preventing them from increasing their lead. Newham knew they had to score but Barking remained resolute but were finally undone when Newham scored after a lucky deflection. Barking, to their credit, continued to press forward but were unable to grab a winner and the draw was enough to see Newham secure the title.

Team: D Mukasa (Roding Cannington), A Kosoko (Richard Alibon), S Ukonu, A Pal (D Barley), R Mann (Rush Green), A Shehu (Hunters Hall), A Zafer (Gascoigne), J Medine (Northbury), I Bangurah (Valence)