What's the idea of these new short reports? I hear you ask!
What I am trying to do is appeal to a larger audience (3 instead of 2). What I mean by this is that if there is someone reading a Daggers report from another club, then they won't have a clue who Shipp or Conner are, but may be interested in a the overall team performance. I will tend to leave players names out along with irrelevant information for these people.
Ryman League Premier Division
Daggers 0(0) Purfleet 1(1)
This wasn't a classic performance from the Daggers, in fact I thought that I had gone back a year to the same fixture last season. I think we played better this year but only marginally. Purfleet have a good looking side who play to each others strengths and not to their weaknesses, this along with their commitment was sometimes inspiring. We on the other hand looked confused and lethargic with long periods of apathy that spread throughout most members of the team.
We have played well this season and I know that as a team we can get it together but when we have a couple of bad games we don't have that deep seated ability to claw our way out. A few individual players will try and they have inspired moments but these moments just don't coincide with each other. Purfleet's confidence is undoubtedly up at the moment and if, when they have a lesser period, they can still pull together then I think they will do well. An eventuality that remains to be seen.
Ryman League Premier Division
Daggers 0(0) Aldershot Town 1(0)
Drizzle fell throughout the match but this didn't have much effect on an entertaining day's proceedings. Dagenham settled down the quicker of the two sides but both teams had sure footed defences that were going to be hard to penetrate. It was Aldershot that had the first chance but the final shot was mis-kicked from about eight yards out. Chances were few and far between and probably even by the end of the half as was most of the play. Both teams had periods of dominance.
It was during the second half that Aldershot were able to show that their title challenge was far from over belying the fact that they are mid-table at the moment. They looked organised and stable and but for a short periods, when the Daggers were able to counter attack, they deserved to go ahead around the hour mark. The home sides' game didn't improve until the last ten minutes when they could have snatched an equaliser but it was not to be. To be honest if they had I would've been extremely happy but at the same time had felt a little guilty!!
Ryman League Premier Division
Billericay 1(1) Daggers 2(1)
Well it was very cold today but Dagenham warmed the cockles of my heart. Billericay settled down immediately after the whistle and had a couple of attacks before we got to grips with the whole situation. When that happened the football looked great and took on a good direction. After dominating the latter half of the half it was the Daggers that were able to finish reasonable approach play and take the lead. And they were able to hold that lead for nearly a minute. Billericay equalised from a penalty and both teams were therefore able to go in at the break on equal terms.
It was Dagenham that looked the better of the two teams for most of the second half. Unfortunately although they were able to get all the way to the home sides penalty area the attacks then fizzled out. This gave Billericay the chance to take the upper hand as they had a reasonable fifteen minutes with two or three chances. It was from one of these offensives that we broke out of defence and won a corner at the other end. The ball was floated in and converted with a firm header.
A fair result and some entertaining football.
Ryman League Premier Division
Daggers 2(0) St. Albans City2(2)
The first half of this match was dominated by a slick and professional looking St. Albans. They were looking out for each other and this along with the amount of time it took Dagenham to settle down were the main reasons that they were able to go in at half time 2-0 to the good. The home side did begin to settle but it took around half an hour.
In the second half St Albans were still playing with the confidence of the first. Dagenham's game was also moving into the realms of their slickness. As our game got stronger the visitors game became more sporadic in terms of quality passing that had been so impressive in the first half. We pulled one back on the hour and finished off with the equaliser in the 93rd minute.
FA Trophy 2nd Round
Daggers 3(1) Hampton 2(1)
The first half had some good moments. Both teams contributed to entertaining periods. The pace wasn't electric but build up work was efficient and sturdy. Chances came at both ends but there were only a couple of occasions when the goalkeepers were called upon to make saves. The score should have been higher at the break because the defences of both teams were more than a little suspect. The score being held to 1-1 at the break.
The second half was to be punctuated by stoppages. It wasn't a dirty match but some players seemed to be getting frustrated. This caused a few slight altercations but the referee handle them well. Dagenham's second goal came from a couple of great passes but was finally credited as an own goal. The game should have drawn to a close but in the 94th minute Dagenham extended the score to 3-1. Barton didn't give up and pulled one back in the 96th minute. Quite an exciting 3 minutes!
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FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round
Daggers 0(0) Stevenage Borough 3(1)
A strange atmosphere that seemed very subdued, it was if someone had died. Stevenage played good looking one touch football and because of this it appeared as if they always had an extra man on the field of play. Dagenhams defence played very deep and in large numbers leaving the midfield short of bodies. The visitors took the lead very early on and from my vantage point I felt that the game would be out of Dagenham's reach by half time.
The home side held on and it wasn't until they had had a period of minor dominance that Stevenage extended their lead. I wouldn't say that it was against the run of play, only that Dagenham may have pulled one back in the couple of minutes proceeding it. The lead was up to three shortly afterwards and no matter how optomistic you are we were not coming back from this one! Stevenage played good tight football and hopefully the Dagenham team will have learned from the game. It was an experience.
FA Trophy 1st Round
Daggers 1(0) Wealdstone 1(0)
Good early pressure from the visitors as they were in control for the first 10 minutes. The teams played well but it was Wealdstone that appeared hungrier for the result. If it wasn't for both of the goalkeepers the score could have been 3-3 at half time as it was they who played exceptionally well. Not only were there good saves but there were also bad misses and Dagenham were the main culprits.
In the second half the Daggers looked very lethargic for a good few minutes. Wealdstone detected this and so their game took on a different slant. Pushing hard at a defence that appeared as if it was having difficulty coping with the breaks. The hard work paid off with a cracking goal, it had good build up and a great finish. Wealdstone should have made it 2 from a penalty but it was saved. Dagenham were not to give up and equalised in the 4th minute of time added on.
FA Trophy 1st Round
Daggers 1 Wealdstone 0 Match abandoned after
we scored!
20 minutes of very entertaining errrr "football". Of course the game should never have started but the conditions were no worse when the match was abandoned than they were at the beginning of the game. It was just bad refereeing.
The real entertainment started before the match. Our inimitable and condescending Master of Ceremonies implied that the Wealdstone substitutes were a little dim. They were keeping warm by having a kick about and he announced "the two players using their common sense in the goal area move away, there's a swimming pool three miles down the road!" The supporters that were in the ground couldn't believe that he could be so rude.
The game was a farce but very amusing. I won't report on the match itself, just some comments from the crowd. The ball was either skidding off the pitch or getting completely bogged down in the pools of water.
Danny Shipp moved towards a ball and fell, he skidded across the field creating a sort of tidal wave....comment from crowd "the ship is sinking" this actually got applause. Just before this Paul Cobb was in a particulary wet area of the pitch, this generated another great comment "Cobby, stay in the shallow end."
His goal was well taken, the players using some intelligence and using the less water-logged parts of the ground. Tolo put a forward ball to Cobb who looked up and chipped the ball over the advancing Noel Imber. That was 10 matches in a row that Paul has scored, shame it don't count.
A word about the vociferous Wealdstone supporters, it was good to see and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday.
Ryman Premier League
Daggers 3(0) Bromley 3(1)
Early activity from the home side indicated that their confidence was sky high. It wasn't long before the ball was being passed around with skill and enthusiasm, but the break required didn't come quick enough and Bromley started to get involved. Neither keeper was tested and although there was a lot of action it wasn't until past 25 minutes that one of them was called upon to make a save. The home side were in control and should have gone in 2-0 up at the break. Due to a lengthy stoppage earlier in the half, time added on lasted for 6 minutes and of course Bromley scored.
They were 2-0 up within thirty five seconds of the restart as the Daggers defence were still in the dressing room, well in mind if not body! We had a chance to pull one back, with a penalty but it wasn't converted, it was on target but saved well. Bromley took total control 10 minutes into the half, the 3-0 scoreline looked insurmountable. But who would write the Daggers off (well I would have!) but I let them down as they worked very hard and around the 64th minute they had a domineering 5 minutes that achieved 3, yes count them, 3 goals. It would have been more but another 4 minute stoppage ended the creative flow. Great game and a point clawed back!
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Daggers 2(0) Chipstead 0(0)
A fine performance from Chipstead, who play in the Combined Counties League. They operated with a good 4-4-2 formation that looked very stable. The first real chance of the game fell to them, a well worked move emanating from midfield and finishing with a poor shot that went 6 yards wide. They worked well as a team and gave each other good options with fine one touch football around the Daggers area. In all honesty they never looked like they would pentetrate Dagenhams well marshalled three man defence but it wasn't for the want of trying. The home side had the better of the latter stages of the first half and with the score at the break being 0-0 I felt this was fair.
The strong wind should have given the Daggers a big advantage in the second half but they didn't use it to full effect. They should have scored in the opening five minutes with one of the four or five missed chances. The first goal was a touch lucky as the Chipstead 'keeper pushed away a good shot only to have one of his defenders slice it back into the danger area. Chipstead didn't give up and their fitness was above the level I expected. End to end football that was good but not great. The 2nd goal was scored 5 minutes from time and again it was from a defensive error. This put the game out of the visitors reach and left us the last five minutes to reflect on a mediocre Dagenham & Redbridge performance.
Monday 12 October 1998,
Ryman Premier League
Daggers 3(0) Walton & Hersham 1(0)
The first half of this match had some good moments, the teams had very settled and secure defences that were difficult to penetrate. Both teams had periods of dominance, but it was the Daggers that looked slightly more composed. Their confidence up to the last third was high, this along with the cross field passing and awareness of each other was extraordinary. 0-0 at the break.
The best was to come, and even though they should have gone down to a penalty early on, the Daggers just got better and better. Chance for both teams came and went, Walton played well above their league position but will have to sort out the disciplinary problems they appear to have. If they don't, when December comes they will be fielding a reserve team! A good nights entertainment, a fair result. Walton should be able to hold their own in this league, if they carry on playing like this.
Saturday 10th October 1998,
Ryman Premier League.
Chesham 2(1) Daggers 5(2)
Early in the first half, Daggers defender, Cuvlerhouse was booked. On 10 minutes Paul Cobb did well to stay on-side and crossed to Paul Terry who then slipped the ball in from 6 yards. David Pratt made it 2 with a dipping shot that curled under the bar. The Daggers defence were all to cock and this gave Chesham a chance to pull one back. Before half time Dagenham were down to 10 men as Culverhouse received his second yellow card.
Chesham equalised early in the second half. The Daggers being down to 10 men so early in the game was always going to be a problem that didn't materialise Then came an own goal that put Dagenham 3-2 up with 15 minutes to go. They didn't consolidate and Danny Shipp run on to a ball and we were on 4. The best was to come as Paul Cobb tried a cheeky side foot-come lob over the keeper that indeed was successful.
This game could have gone either way after the sending off but to coin a cr*p saying 'the boys showed great character'
Information supplied by our Fan in Focus, Raymond Lord