U11's Win Again

A game full of extraordinary goals saw Barkingside U11's maintain their winning start to the season with a gripping victory away at Leys Park. The blues started slowly but managed the early pressure with Ed and Jackson excellent against some tricky offensive opponents.

'Side grew into the match, as player of the match Josh, took the game by the scruff of the neck. He won a free kick which the keeper saved from 'Alfie the Arrow' and then beat 4 opponents before delivering a cross that no one could quite poke home. George L was causing problems down the wing combining with Ed and Alfie to win back to back corners with George G seeing out any and all problems at the other end.

George L then opened up our opponents with a defence splitting pass with his supposedly weaker left foot...Ben ran on and took two touches before unleashing a rocket that flew over the keeper and almost ripped through the back of the net. Wow!

Benji saw a shot hit the side netting shortly after before Leys equalised with a great goal of their own, their prodigiously talented number nine embarking on a mazy run and fired into the top corner.

A Jackson tackle and a Benji block helped keep the scores level before Fintan and Benji combined well to win a corner and see us push on again. Josh and Ben linked up playing in Benji who put the afterburners on but couldn't find a finish. Against the run of play Leys Park took the lead with their super striker holding off three challenges and finding a superb finish. The first half ended with Benji running onto a Lewis goal kick skipping between two and crossing for Josh who couldn't slot home before Benji himself beat 3 defenders to shoot wide with the last kick of the half.

It was a bright start to the second half with George D and Benji combining for an early chance after Fintan robbed the Leys no9. It was our own danger man who levelled the game as Benji charged through the middle, holding off multiple challenges and firing home with aplomb.

Thereafter followed a period of soaking up sustained pressure, George D clearing off the line before a follow up shot was pushed round the post by Lewis who was cheered on by Great Uncle Nick and Great Aunty Jo, down from Leicester, to watch their second titanic battle of the weekend.

Leys shot wide from 8 yards before some end to end exchanges with Barkingside getting side joy from the wings - George L, tenacious on the right, and George D with deft play on the left. Benji, released once more through the middle, rounded the keeper but overran the ball before we sat in again defending deep. Then a moment of magic against the run of play ... Benji cutting the ball back to Josh who jinked past two opponents driving into the box and placing the ball into the top corner with the outside of his boot. Worldie!

3 mins to see it out and didn't they just, Ed strong in the middle of the park and George G sweeping up expertly behind the lines. Coach Reagan let out a fist pump as the full time whistle blew as he popped another win in the locker !