Humdinger at the Lane

Barkingside fought back to claim their first draw of the season in a humdinger at the Lane!

It was a fast start with great play from both teams. Jackson and George L combining nicely down the right and George D hustling hard down the left. Lewis parried an early Mezzies shot with George G mopping up any pressure as is his trademark.

The blues defence were uncharacteristically caught out, initially surviving a swift counter after Alfie saw a shot blocked but ultimately undone in the next move as the opposition striker slalomed and slotted home.

Lucas was dominating the middle of the park and fashioned a chance for George L but some unusually hesitant defending gifted Mezzies a goal to double their lead.

Josh regained momentum, first firing across goal and then seeing a shot parried into the path of George D who could only find the side netting. It was an outrageous free kick from Savanyah that dragged the light blues back into the game lifting the ball over the opposition defence to find Benji who saw his shot blocked, but George D on hand with composure and precision to fire home from 12 yards. 💥.

It was Lewis turn to shine as their tricky no2 cut back inside and smashed a goal bound shot tipped expertly onto the bar. The ball fell to a red shirt who too was denied by the fingertips of our no1 pushing onto the bar once again! Fintan cleared from the next counter as the clock ran down on a frenetic first half.

It was the opposition who started the second start on top, Lewis saving when exposed one on one.

But the blue wave was washing over - Benji winning a corner that Alfie put right on George G's head - unlucky not to score. Benji then ran onto a Lewis launch but was thwarted by the keeper. Alfie hit a free kick wide whilst Josh missed by inches sending a 20 yarder just past the upright from a Benji pull back.

Ed was winning his 50/50s and Savanyah back to her very best launching a counter with Ben hustling to find Lucas who hit a brilliant half volley that was tipped over. A clever quick free kick caught Mezzies sleeping and Benji had his head in his hands when the keeper denied him from 6 yards.

End to end it went with the reds heading wide from a corner and Lucas seeing another shot deflected for the blues. Then a flowing move saw George D find Benji and this time it was hands aloft celebrating as he pinged it into the corner from a tight angle. 💥 Still time for Josh to win a free kick in the danger zone that Alfie fired just over and one last goalmouth scramble from a corner at the death ! The proud parents, as exhausted as the kids come the end, headed home to play tracksuit top bingo !