Back to Back Wins in the Cup

Barkingside celebrated back to back away cup wins in the glorious Sunday sunshine. It was a fast start from 'side with Benji winning a corner, Alfie winning an early crunching tackle in the middle and Jackson getting early success down the right. The momentum then swung firmly to the home team with George G snuffing out one attack and Lewis saving a deflected effort from another. Georges L and D combined well to give a moment of respite but back it came and the skipper was forced into a brilliant one on one save. Our best move of the match saw George G, Josh and Benji interchange passes ending with George driving a shot wide. Lewis to the rescue again soon after saving with his feet when left exposed but the deadlock was deservedly broken when Shield moved a quick free kick to the edge of our box and bent a shot into the corner. A response was needed and the blues finally found second gear. A great throw in from George G released Benji who crossed beautifully only to see Jackson denied with a brilliant defensive block. Benji was then denied by the keepers legs before he combined well with George D to win a free kick in the 'Alfie zone'. Our number 5 duly stepped up, too quickly for the cameras, and arrowed an equaliser into the top bins 🗑. Never in doubt! Ed, Fintan and Savanyah showed strength and composure to snuff out Sheild and to ensure we went into half time level.

Fintan began the half where he left off with some superb defending whilst George G was called upon to snuff out an attack with a trademark last gasp tackle. At the other end Ed, never giving up the chase, was unlucky not to steal the ball from under the keepers nose whilst Benji headed wide from a long range Savanyah pass. Arguably the biggest moment of the match followed with Player of the Match Lewis making a super stop after the opposition striker twisted and turned to create a perfect shooting chance 😮‍💨 Ed, released by Fintan was chopped down as the reds started to see red! Lucas warming up his reliable right foot saw a superb free kick turned behind. The opposition number 14 then committed GBH on Josh who picked himself up to engage in a lovely one two with Ed running the length of the pitch. Lather rinse repeat as Josh was targeted once again but this time Lucas delivered the ultimate punishment lifting the free kick over the despairing hand of the keeper 💥 The sound of the ball hitting the net drowned out only by the screams of James Green in the video replay! Over to Savanyah with a superb block to maintain our slender advantage. Tenacious stuff from Jackson carving out a chance for Josh to shoot wide and gasps from the crowd as George L pulled a ball out of mid air like prime Messi. Lewis saved comfortably from distance and his huge kick forced a corner from which a penalty was awarded. After three nibbles at Josh all ignored by the ref, Lucas convinced him to find his whistle when bundled over. Our no7 dusted himself down and slotted home to secure the win. 💥 One last save from Lewis atoning for his own poor kick before the final whistle filled the air.

Difficult to argue that we rode our luck at times today but ultimately it was a case of "dead ball, dead cool" to leave us sitting pretty at the top of Group B !