BRILLIANT BARKING & DAGENHAM showed that their campaign is now well and truly up and running by lifting the Essex 7-a-side title for the seventh time at sunny Chigwell on Saturday. Following on from their first win of the season last week, the boys came out fighting to stamp their name on the trophy once again thanks to a narrow 1-0 win over Havering in the final.

The boys started brightly and brushed aside arch-rivals Thurrock aside with a comprehensive 4-0 victory in their opening group game. Two goals in the first half from Basilio Rieno-Socoliche and Harry Brown gave Barking a comfortable lead. They continued to create chances in the second half and a brilliantly crafted team goal, finished by Ethan Wenayeto, killed off Thurrock. The seal was then put on the victory when Junior Ngala bundled the ball home from close range to give Barking the best possible start.

Pinpoint

Next up saw Barking & Dagenham face up to Havering. Havering, who had scored ten goals in their opening two games, were quick out of the blocks and went in front with a well worked strike from Owen Knapman.

Barking refused to lie down though and responded immediately as Alex Young’s pinpoint corner was expertly headed home by Brown.

Young and Rieno-Socoliche then had chances saved by Owen James in the Havering goal before Havering stung Barking on the counter attack to take the lead again. Archie Kieran’s cross was neatly finished by Finlay Welch.

Barking continued to battle to the end but Havering held firm to secure the win.

Pole Position

Barking & Dagenham went into their third game against Chelmsford knowing a win would put them in pole position to go through to the final. Chances went begging at both ends in a high tempo game.

Chelmsford drew first blood when Joshua O’Donovan fired home after George Earthy’s mazy run.

Once again though, Barking struck back instantly courtesy of a penalty. When Rieno-Socoliche was bundled over by a clumsy challenge, Brown stepped up to drew his side level with a confident finish.

 With their tails up, Barking searched for the winner and it arrived courtesy of Brown’s never-say-die attitude. Brown chased the ball down into the corner, nicking the ball off Rohan Hague before cooly slotting the ball under Tommy Kilcast despite the close attentions of three Chelmsford defenders.

Dream Start

Going in to their last game Barking knew that a win would be enough regardless of other results and made a dream start when Brown finished well from Kye Calvey’s through ball before doubling the lead with another well taken goal.

Newham, who had lost all of their games, did pull one back when Gideon Kodua gave Owen Duggan no chance with a piledriver from outside the area. Newham sensed that they could get something from the game and Duggan had to be at his best to thwart Oghosa Williams and Kodua with smart saves.

However, Brown settled any nerves with his third, taking Wenayto’s pass to finish well for his hat-trick and secure Barking’s place in the final.

 Front Foot

Havering started the final as red hot favourites having won all four of their group games scoring fourteen goals in the process. Barking, however, didn’t let them settle and were quickly on the front foot.

Rieno-Socoliche was a constant menace to the Havering defenders and he nearly teed up Young but James was equal to his effort with a smart save.

Brown then went close with a powerful strike before Barking finally made their pressure tell to go in front. There looked very little danger when Rieno-Socoliche received the ball on the half way line but the Dorothy Barley man had other ideas. Storming past three Havering challenges, he settled himself before firing past James from the edge of the area. It was a truly outstanding goal and one worthy of settling a final.

Havering began to settle in to their passing and dominated the possession but were unable to find a way past some resolute defending. When they did manage to create an opportunity at goal, they found Duggan in inspired form. Twice the Rush Green stopper produced outstanding saves to preserve his side’s lead.

 Last Ditch

Barking & Dagenham continued to create chances of their own and Osei-Kaffour set up Young but the latter saw his crisply struck shot turned around the post by James. Rieno-Socoliche then almost grabbed a second but he was denied by a last ditch tackle from Mitchell Fallows.

With time running out, Havering had a glorious chance to send the game into extra time but Welch’s effort hit the pst with the goal at his mercy. The miss was then almost punished at the other end as Brown went close with a rasping drive.

Havering threw bodies forward as the clock ticked down but were unable to find a way through and the final whistle saw great celebrations from the players, parents and staff of Barking & Dagenham.

The team will now go forward to represent the county at the South-East Regional finals in the new year and will be looking to repeat their success against once again.

 Barking & Dagenham: Duggan, Ngala, Modza-Smith, Wenayto, Rieno-Socoliche, Brown, Young, Calvey, Osei-Kaffour