September 1998
Daggers 1 Billericay Town 2
A game that although not end to end in the true sense of the word did have periods where both teams had control.
Dagenham & Redbridge appeared to have done their homework and were moving the ball around fairly well for the first 20 minutes, whether or not it was frustration but Billericay came into the match and at times looked good. The honours were even at half time. It was a game played mainly in the midfield area where neither team dominated. Both defences looked disciplined and Gary Blackford for the Daggers was in control.
The start of the second half was similar to the first with the home team playing in the oppositions half for the opening 15 minutes. Once again the visitors showed that they were able to contain us as the back four played with great understanding. David Pratt got more involved in this half and ran well with the ball, admittedly he and players from both sides were beaten by the waterlogged pitch at times but he did cause the 'keeper to pull off a good save after firing in a low hard drive. The Daggers went into the lead with a penalty converted cleanly by Paul Cobb after an incident in the penalty area (I think it was a foul or handball!!). All that Billericay could do now was to attack and this they did, the reply scored by ex-dagger Dean Parratt from a clever free kick, he kept it low and in the conditions this was the right thing to do. It should have been cleared as it went past about 8 pairs of legs. The final goal came in the last 10 minutes, from another free kick, this time taken by well travelled Billy Goldstone. The ball floated towards the goal area as if it had strings attached, the defence were just left flat footed as they watched the ball being bundled towards Gothard who saved, but not the follow up from John Ridout who shot from a tight angle.
Paul Cobb was substituted again with 15 minutes to go and I must say he didn't look very happy about it.
A fairly even match, a fairer result would have been a draw, such is life!
Gothard, Cole, Pratt, Howard, Goodwin, Blackford, Game, Cobb1(Miller), Shipp, Springett, Broom, Janney did come on for someone but we can't remember who!!
Daggers 5 Carshalton 0
An evening game without rain, now there's a novelty. It was a bit windy though but not enough to spoil a good nights entertainment.
For the first fifteen minutes of the game the Daggers had total control, most of this time being in the last third of the pitch. Paul Cobb, who scored the first goal on 22 minutes had already been very industrious, having had a shot cleared off the line and a couple of efforts going wide. He did look good though, chasing everything in sight and making himself available. Mark Janney look good too, taking on the defence when his team mates gave him no options. Kirk Game plays a strange game, he will appear to be in quite a deep position, seconds later he will be on the end of a far post cross, heading the ball into the path of an incoming forward. Many assists this season I think! Danny Shipp scored the second after receiving the ball from Cobb. Gary Blackfords work rate and distribution throughout the first half is also worth a mention. The home side went in 2-0 up at the break.
The second half started off how the first had finished, the ball in no mans land for a lot of the time.Carshalton had a player sent off for a second bookable offence, but in all honesty the home side didn't take real advantage of this. Mark Janney's hard work paid off as he was able to put the Daggers 4-0 up with a couple of good strikes. In the meantime Carshalton never gave up and in fact on a couple of ocassions caused Gothard to tip the ball over the bar from some long range efforts, they also hit the bar. They had short periods of dominance, but this was probably due to Dagenhams position which they should have capitalised on. Tim Cole made it 5-0 in time added on.
It should have been 8 or 9, the Daggers are getting into good areas but the final shot has to be more accurate.
Sorry no pictures as my camera is not working.
Gothard, Cole1, Pratt, Howard,Goodwin, Blackford, Bird, Cobb1, Shipp1, Game, Janney2.
Daggers 3(2) Slough 0(0)
Att. 737
A great game that was ultimately spoilt by the bad tempered attitude of the Slough players. The Daggers weren't completely blameless as Mitchell Springett had his feet a little high on a few occasions in the first half.
The first half was the better half for entertainment value, although the home team controlled most of the game the visitors had some interesting moments. The defence did look somewhat inconsistent at times and from this came the Daggers second goal, Paul Cobb picking up on a indecisive central defence and slotting it through to Danny Shipp who calmly placed past the keeper. Shipp had an easier chance earlier in the 9th minute when he chose a glory volley at an open goal when he should have picked his place. Paul Cobb did better from a similar position on the 19th minute after good build up work. The ball fell to his feet 8 yards out from the far post, Paul looked up and place the ball perfectly out of the keepers reach. Slough Town had a player sent off and it was after this that they took control, with a quite industrious 10 minutes. The Daggers weathered the storm and 3 minutes into time added on David Pratt tried a chip shot from 35 yards, this was after seeing the keeper off his line, only to hit the top netting.
Slough had a fair amount of possession in the first 15 minutes of the second half but being a man short they were always going to be punished. Well they should have been! It was the Daggers that were making the breaks from Slough attacks and it should have been the other way round. Paul Cobb was put clear through but Slough's keeper was quickly out to narrow the angle and made a good save. Again after another Slough offensive the ball broke to Mark Janney who put Cobb into a position where he was able to lay an perfect ball for Howard to run onto and shoot...this he did but it went 10 yards wide. Cobb's 2nd and the Daggers 3rd is a candidate for the goal of the season. The ball was being worked well around the visitors penalty area when out of the blue it fell into Paul's path. It was struck so sweetly and with ferocity from 20 yards and arrived in the back of the net a split second later. As I was leaving the ground, I noticed the stewards taking the net down, I reckon they were having to get it repaired!
Cobb had a couple of more efforts before the end of the game, It would have been great to see him get his first hat-trick, but it was not to be! The game was the best home performance this season. Slough will have to sort out their attitude problem if they are to stay in this league. Later in the season they will be without key players for disciplinary reasons and that will not help their cause at all.
Gothard, Culverhouse,Pratt, Mas(Howard), Goodwin(Janney), Game, Broom, Cobb2, Shipp1, Springett, Blackford