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Barkingside fell to a 4-3 defeat in the late kick off against rivals G4K in a game littered with enough drama to last an entire season. When the ref overlooked a blatant foul on George G in the opening seconds the scene was set! The team responded perfectly when George L fed a devastating ball into enemy territory, Lucas dropping a shoulder and finding the top corner. 1-0! Benji then hooked a shot just wide before an attempted clearance by Josh at the other end flew over Lewis head - the unluckiest own goal you'll ever see. 1-1.
G4K with their tails up slotted home swiftly thereafter following a lovely move. 1-2. Lewis was called into action to save from a dangerous free kick before a trademark last ditch tackle from Josh stifled another attack. Then a moment of magic - Savanyah controlling the ball in mid air, Thierry Henryesque, flicked the ball past one, two and three defenders finding herself in front of goal and finishing delightfully off the post. The coolest cat in town wheeled away in celebration with a smile wider than the Blackwall Tunnel. 2-2. There was still time for Lewis to save brilliantly with his legs at one end and Josh to be denied after a defence splitting pass from Benji at the other. Half Time. And breathe....
The second half started at a pace with Benji conjuring a chance immediately from kick off. Alfie then fired a free kick just past the upright after Benji was felled by a vicious tackle. Dusting himself down he fired just wide from Alfie's delightful through ball. Ian and George were keeping G4K at bay, the latter with a sensational triple block, with Lewis coming to the rescue saving from a free kick when the opposition did get a rare view of goal. He could do nothing minutes later however when a through ball resulted in a penalty that was despatched nicely. 2-3.
Benji wasn't having that and set off beating the entire team down the left flank and sending in a cross that the hapless G4K defender could only turn into his own net ! The momentum was now firmly with us as Player of the Match Lucas was scythed down in full flow on the very edge of the box. He showed great resilience to first fire in a free kick that was handled and then to step up and take the resulting penalty that was well struck but flew just wide. Never letting his head drop he then struck the post from our next attack after a fabulous pass from his midfield partner Josh. How did it stay out ?! G4K, boosted by their good fortune, went on the attack but only to be thwarted by Savanyah making up ground like a thoroughbred. Incredibly the drama wasn't over - the referee let play go on, ignoring their midfielders best attempts to take Savanyah’s shorts home with him, only for G4K to smash a shot onto the bar with the ball bouncing down and cleared with no goal given. The protests of the highly partisan parents behind the goal then causing the referee to overturn his decision and award a goal. He who shouts loudest....A devastating and highly unjust end to a wonderful battle. Interim coach Zak was heard telling the team at the end that this was one of the best games he's ever seen, and amongst the proudest to manage, at this level. Who are we to argue !
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