Essex Senior League: Barkingside manager Gursel Gulfer backs on-loan forward Jakub Berkowicz to break through at Dagenham & Redbridge

Jakub Berkowicz (left) in pre-season action for Dagenham & Redbridge at Ware last summer (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Teenage striker netted his fourth goal in seven games for side on Saturday

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Barkingside manager Gursel Gulfer believes on-loan forward Jakub Berkowicz could make an impact when he returns to parent club Dagenham & Redbridge.

The teenager has moved to Side on loan deal from the National League promotion hopefuls at the end of last year and netted the opener in a 2-2 draw with Hullbridge Sports in the Essex Senior League on Saturday.

It was the forward’s fourth goal in seventh games since arriving at Cricklefields, a run of form that has seen his deal extended until the end of the season, and Gulfer feels Berkowicz has the talent to make a breakthrough when he returns to Daggers.

“Jakub has been a good little player for us since joining and his goalscoring record speaks for itself,” said Gulfer.

“Hopefully he gets a chance and can make the grade when he returns to Dagenham, but we’ve been really pleased with how he’s done since coming in on loan.”

Berkowicz had fired Barkingside ahead on the stroke of half-time against Hullbridge, but a quick-fire double for Sports saw the visitors fall behind midway through the second half.

Target man Luke With scored with 16 minutes left to rescue a draw for Side, but Gulfer insists his side should have left Lower Road with all three points.

“We had enough chances to win the match and by half time, we could have been six up,” he added.

“I said to the boys at half time not to let Hullbridge back into the match, but they grabbed two goals in quick succession and we were all over the place.

“Even once we drew level, we still had enough chances to go on and win the game, but we didn’t.”