U11's Under the Lights v Shield Academy

Barkingside got back to winning ways in a frenetic Frenford battle under the floodlights. An even start saw Benji bundled over in the box but with no penalty awarded at one end and George G on hand to stop a Shield Academy attack at the other.

Ed and Fintan were combining nicely down the right and Alfie started a lovely team move that saw Lucas battling through only to see his effort saved. Lewis was called into action saving twice from range before Shield shot narrowly wide from 6 yards as the game opened up.

George D battled to win a throw which George L took, cleverly releasing Josh to cross and Benji to slot home expertly to open the scoring 💥

The Blues has found their groove with Jackson twisting and turning and finding Lucas who fired just wide as did George L with a sweetly struck shot from 25 yards. George D then found Benji who was briefly denied by a fantastic save pushing the ball onto the bar.

Benji wasn't to be denied his lift home however finishing a wonderful Lucas corner that was begging to be banged home. 💥 A point blank save from Lewis kept the opponents out but their next attack did give them a goal back after a brilliant team move. Some solid defending from Savanyah and some safe handling from our no1 took us to half time protecting a narrow lead.

So to an epic second half...Ed's goalbound shot thwarted with an incredible block allowed Shield to break and level with an outrageous effort from distance looping over Lewis. De je vu as Ed was again unlucky not to finish a great team move only for our opponents to counter and slot home to turn double deficit into a lead.

Heads could have dropped but these U11s are made of stronger stuff! A quickly taken free kick found George G who crossed from the left and allowed Benji to complete a hat trick with the help of a deflection 💥

Some excellent pressing all night, led tirelessly by Ben, was to pay off as the keeper, under pressure, could only find Fintan 20 yards from goal who returned the ball sweetly into the corner to restore the lead 💥

Adrenalin pumping Fintan then danced round 2 defenders a minute later but found the keeper equal to this effort. With the ball pinging around their box it was a case of "Jackson 5" as the coolest customer on the pitch stroked home in the last minute to settle this one.💥

Not bad for a school night!

POTM - Savanyah