Ryman Premier Division
Daggers 4(2) Dulwich Hamlet 0(0)
FA Trophy 5th Round
Daggers 1 St. Albans City 2
St Albans' started the game in a much more stable way. Their defence looked very secure and sharp, catching out our attack on numerous occasions. They also created most of the real chances in the first half. That isn't to say that we were totally outplayed it was just that our chances came on the break and we didn't have the luck that we may have needed.
After an early second half substitution we had our best period and it wasn't long before we were awarded a penalty for a clumsy challenge by the St. Albans keeper. If we had converted it I think we would have won but within a couple of minutes we were 2-0 down and it was always going to be hard to come back from that. The Daggers had a good go at it though and in the last 10 minutes they scored and hit the post. The goalkeeper also made some very good saves but it wasn't to be.
FA Trophy 4th Round
Daggers 4 Telford United 0
A great first half performance helped both by the big occasion and the manager changing the team tactically. He moved the left and right midfielders in to the middle vice-versa. This was to created more chances from the centre of the playing field. The daggers started the game at an incredible pace and were in the lead within a minute. Telford hadn't had time to settle and again 10 minutes later they were caught square. By the end of the half the home side were 4-0 to the good.
The second half settled down and even though, at times, Telford played some reasonable football they weren't able to penetrate the hard working daggers defence. In fact all of the players were working hard throughout the game and that was good to see. If it carries on throughout the rest of the season then, who knows what can be achieved?
FA Trophy 3rd Round Replay
Farnborough Town 1 Daggers 1 aet (Daggers won 4-2 on pens)
Well, as in the last two cup matches against Farnborough, this match had all the attributes to make it a great tie. End to end football with both teams in the first half never dominating the game. A few early tackles from both teams were a bit over enthusiastic but once the referee had a few words it all settled down.
The second half there was no change Dagenham starting it stronger as, indeed they had finished the first half. Our heads didn't drop but the pace at which the game had been played meant that our players needed a bit of time to recuperate. This gave the home side some periods of pressure, albeit for only short periods.
It was 0-0 after 90 minutes so we moved into the first period of extra time. Farnborough started to play their best football and when the two earlier substitutions combined they took the lead.
Our players' heads' dropped for a while and we had to wait until the 121st minute before we got our just deserts. Then it was the penalty shoot out. 4-2 to us and a deserved win.
Bring on Telford
Ryman League Premier Division
Daggers 3(0) Enfield 3(1)
Not a bad start from the home side but to have any effect they needed to string more than two passes together and get into the visitors penalty area. Enfield deserved their half time lead but, stangely enough the goal came at a time when they were under a bit of pressure.
Early in the second half the home side pulled one back which should have set the match up for a great finale. We did get one but not in the way I expected. You see, those Enfield boys soon spoiled our fun and went 3-1 up, leaving us to lick our wounds. But no, we were to come back, first with a typical opportunist goal and finally with a superb strike. Some good saves helped as well.
FA Trophy 3rd Round
Daggers 1 Farnborough Town 1
It was a great first half performance but we made it very difficult for ourselves by letting Farnborough take the initiative as early as the second minute when completely against the run play they were one up! We came back well and managed a few shots on goal but nothing spectacular. The whole teams attitude was right though and that made a big difference.
In the second half Farnboro' improved their game but were never in real control. They certainly had moments when they could have made an impression but we worked for each other and never let then into the game for anything longer than a couple of minutes. We definately finished stonger and should have been in Mondays draw without being tagged onto Farnborough.
Ryman League Premier Division
Sutton United 3 Daggers 1
A great start for Dagenham & Redbridge with a well taken goal in the 5th minute. Sutton work quite well together and when watching the way they build up to goal you can see why they score so many goals in the league. Today was different, all their attacks in the first half hour fizzled out to nothing. I would like to think this is due to us playing with a conventional four man defence but I doubt that that is the reason.
In the second half Sutton were in control and although never overwhelming in their play you felt that they had something in reserve. They took all their goals well and when there was a lack of concentration in our defence they capitalised on it. They are a good side who showed us the 8 or 9 position gap between our teams.