IN 2017, IT WAS Thurrock. In 2018, it was Barking & Dagenham. In 2019, it was eventually both teams who lifted the Essex Schools’ FA district U11 7-a-side title after finishing joint top of the table following a brilliant morning’s football at Robert Clack Leisure Centre. Captains Demi Hetherington and Miquellah Meade came together in front of a healthy crowd to raise the trophy aloft, in a fitting end to a terrific tournament.

Thurrock began proceedings in fine form as their ‘purple’ side brushed aside their ‘pink’ counterparts with ease. Hetherington opened the scoring after five minutes when her wicked in-swinging corner went straight in and was on hand later on to blast home a second. Olivia Benson added a third shortly afterwards to lay down the gauntlet and send a clear message to those in the chasing pack.

Sensational

Meanwhile, Barking & Dagenham began their day against Chelmsford & Mid Essex Clarets and could have taken an early lead when Meade’s sensational run and cross picked out Lily-Mae Elsey in the box. A heavy touch gave the Chelmsford rear-guard time to regroup however and the momentum was lost. Ruby Abela and the effervescent Meade continued to threaten, although Barking & Dagenham had Elishah Mintah-Adarkwah to thank for a last-ditch tackle to deny a certain goal.

Thurrock Purple then made it six points from two games when they overcame Chelmsford Yellow thanks to Darcie McGlenaghan’s excellent left foot finish. Moments later, Hetherington could have made it two, firing narrowly wide into the side netting: however, the score remained at 1-0 as Thurrock continued to set the pace.

Improving

Needing a win in their next game, Barking & Dagenham duly delivered – although they were made to work hard for the points against a rapidly improving Thurrock Pink team. They gained the lead when Elsey’s cross from the right caused chaos in the box. Kaltrina Ibrahimi’s run looked to have distracted the Thurrock keeper as a slight fumble resulted in the centre diverting into the goal.

Many more chances were spurned as Meade beat two, then three defenders, dancing her way through a crowded penalty area before firing wide; followed up by Abela’s similar miss after a powerful burst through on goal.

Meade finally got the goal her performance deserved with time running out and Barking & Dagenham knew they were back in the hunt when the two Chelmsford sides cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw.

The all-important showdown between the previous winners saw the hosts hit their best form of the day, with Kirsten McNaughton at her dominant defensive best and the threat of Meade and Ibrahimi causing concern to the Thurrock Purple backline. Try as they might though, neither team fashioned a clear-cut chance as the tie remained goal-less and Thurrock’s winning streak was halted.

With all the other games ending in stalemate, Barking & Dagenham’s tie with Chelmsford Yellow looked to be following suit – until stand-in skipper Meade dragged her side right back into contention with a goal that typified her determination and tenacious play, powering into the box before unleashing a shot from mid-range. As the ball crept under the keeper, about to pass over the line, Meade was on hand once more to make sure and help Barking & Dagenham top the table for the first time in the competition.

Decisive

Thurrock Purple’s final game against Chelmsford Claret would prove decisive, with the former knowing a win would hand them the title outright. A stunning series of saves kept them at bay however, with George and Hetherington denied and the pace of Poppy Farmer threatening on the break.

With just seconds left, a handball on the edge of the penalty area gifted Thurrock the opportunity they had been looking for. Hetherington lined the free-kick up to deliver the headline goal, however her fierce left-foot strike was repelled at the last second by a strong right wrist and a frantic Chelmsford defence clung on.

The shutout ensured Barking & Dagenham and Thurrock Purple ended the tournament with eight points apiece, four points clear of their nearest rivals. In glorious sunshine, both teams now have a trophy in the bag as they look to push onwards in the London Girls’ League and the national 9-a-sides over the coming weeks.

Barking & Dagenham: Mei Wang (Henry Green); Miquellah Meade (Henry Green); Kirsten McNaughton (George Carey); Lily-Mae Elsey (Northbury); Elishah-Oliviae Mintah Adarkwah (George Carey); Kaltrina Ibrahimi (William Ford); Ruby Abela (Dorothy Barley)

Thurrock: Charlotte McGaughin (Stanford-le-Hope); Eden Wray (Little Thurrock); Ellie Bullman (Thameside); Demi Hetherington (West Thurrock); Isla Venton (Kenningtons); Jessica George (Tudor Court); Olivia Benson (Aveley); Darcie Mcglenaghan (Aveley); Lexi Ashton (Deneholm); Brodie Brownlie (Deneholm)