August Match Reports
Daggers 1 Boreham Wood 1
Before the game the players and supporters, for the second year running, were involved in a minutes silence. Last time it was for Diana, Princess of Wales, this time it was for the people of Omagh, some of whom were sadly slaughtered in last weeks atrocities. The silence was well observed, Thanks.
I'm not sure if the players found the match hard work to play in but I am sure I speak for the majority of the home support when I say it was hard to watch. The team were lethargic, maybe too many friendlies have taken the enthusiasm away from the players. Boreham Wood were up for the game, the Daggers were not. Cobb worked hard and held the ball up well for a midfield that never appeared. Pratt made some good calls but his team-mates seem to have lost their sense of hearing.
Gothard in the Daggers goal was busier than his Boreham Wood opposite number and pulled off a save in the 20th minute. Tim Cole also cleared the ball from the goal-line when surely The Wood should have buried it. Just before half time, Cobb once again held the ball well, waiting for Pratt to overlap, he did, collected and put in a low cross, but Danny Shipp wasn't able to finish
After the break the home side came out a little livelier but it was nothing to write home about, they just looked better due to the dreadful first half. The visitors showed none of the Daggers apathy and continued to pass the ball around, fortunately they were ineffective where it mattered most. On 61 minutes Boreham Wood were caught off-side in the 6 yard box. Gothard quickly pumped the ball up field to a solitary Shipp who turned and struck it sweetly to beat the 'keeper from 20 yards. The visitors were always going to score but before they did they had another effort cleared from the line, this time from Steve Conner. The goal came from pressure, Gothard did save the first shot but had no chance with the rebound. A couple of minutes later Cobb had a shot blocked after Pratt made a good run down the right, if he had scored it would have been against the run of play.
Boreham Wood deserved all 3 but went home with just the 1 point. The Daggers were lucky!
Gothard, Cole, Pratt, Howard, Conner, Goodwin, Springett, Cobb, Shipp1, Game, Broom.
Enfield 4 Daggers 0
End to end football, well it was for the last five minutes. Both teams had chances to convert from short range in this period but at times the rest of the half lapsed into bands of mediocrity. In between this both teams had spells of midfield superiority. Enfield finally broke through in the 45th minute to go in 1-0 up at the break.
The first 10 minutes of the second half were quiet, around the 12th minute the Daggers took control of the game and in a 5 minute spell managed to miss 3 good chances, the closest being when Garry Howard hit the post from 5 yards, Cobb and Janney should also have finish better. For the last 25 minutes Enfield took total control, they played a lot of the game with just one man up front (Richard Dunwell), but when you have a striker with his ability to finish, then it isn't a problem. He scored a hat-trick and was awarded the home teams MOTM, in fact I would have voted for him myself!!
Gothard, Pratt, Stimson, Howard, Conner, Cole, Janney, Cobb(Miller), Shipp, Blackford, Broom
Daggers 3 Heybridge Swifts 0
A better performance from the Daggers against a team that played a physical game with little if any skill, Heybridge, unless there is a vast improvement will be relegated.
Dagenham & Redbridge played better as a team today and it was good to see some great individual performaces too. Jason Broom was outstanding until he was brought down in the second half and substituted, let's hope that his injury is not serious. The Daggers went into the lead on the 11 minute from a far post header by Kirk Game, a few minutes later he got into a similar postition by this time he couldn't rise above his marker. The approach work was good but around the box they lacked adventure or confidence.
Early in the second half, Lee Goodwin scored what looked from where I was standing to be a bit of a lucky goal. I am sure he will disagree as they all count. There should have been more goal as the Heybridge defence was in disarray for most of the match. The final goal came from Mark Janney who had been on the pitch for the latter part of the half and had shown some deft touches, his goal was a bit of class as he slid the ball past the 'keeper, placing it perfectly and with great accuracy. Danny Shipp had had a couple of good 20 yard shorts saved but Paul Cobb looked ineffective and again was substituted with approx 20 minutes to go. Maybe he is not fully fit.
Gothard, Cole, Pratt, Game1, Conner (Goodwin1), Blackford, Bird, Cobb (Miller), Shipp, Springett, Broom, (Janney1)