Dagenham Drench United on Cold Rainy Afternoon in London

Maidenhead United were unable to capitalise on an improved performance in a 1-0 defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge on a soaking afternoon in East London. 

 

Alan Devonshire named three changes to the starting XI which faced Leamington the previous weekend, with Owen Cochrane, Remy Clerima, and Manny Onariase entering the squad. Ex- Magpies ‘keeper Sam Howes was in between the sticks for the Daggers, while former England international Andy Carroll started at #9 for the hosts. 

 

A lively atmosphere at Victoria Road made for an entertaining start. Jordi van Stappershoef did well to catch Conor Lawless’ header from close range, with Kai Yearn drifting his shot just wide on the subsequent counterattack. 

 

Josh Umerah, a Dagger until five months ago, came close to scoring against his former club with a quarter of an hour gone, finding the target with a header but unfortunately finding Howes in the way. 

 

Carroll was clearly the Daggers’ target man, evidenced best with their corner in the 20th minute. The former Liverpool striker towered over Miles Welch-Hayes and headed goal bound, but Yearn was there to defend off the line. 

 

Dagenham hit the post in the 28th minute, Carroll this time using his chest to pass to Sam Graham. His effort, once again from within 12 yards, struck the post and out of play for a goal kick. 

 

United almost scored as the rain poured at Victoria Road. Some good hold up play from Liam Dulson allowed him to offlay to Yearn, who, had it been a yard further to the right, almost scored a replica of his goal midweek against Winslow United. 

 

 

A bright start to the second half on a cold, dark afternoon saw United pepper the Dagenham box in the opening ten minutes. The Daggers’ defence often cleared only as far as the Magpies attack, with Owen Cochrane’s powered effort coming closest to beating Howes. 

 

A better performance than those of recent weeks sadly still led to an all-too familiar scoreline when Dagenham took the lead in the 57th minute. Carroll fired in from the left, and Joe Haigh tapped home from close range to give the Daggers the advantage. 

 

The tough conditions, only worsening by the minute, made it difficult for either side to create much in the way of chances as the second half progressed. 

 

A torrid afternoon only got worse when substitute Corie Andrews was shown a straight red for an off-the-ball incident. A kerfuffle resulting in the striker taking aim at his opposite number was enough to send the striker down the tunnel, leaving United down to ten men for the remaining few minutes. 

 

Although the game seemed dead and buried for the ten-man Magpies, a late chance for United came when Jayden Mitchell-Lawson found the ball on the edge of the area. His shot from a tight angle was always asking a lot, but Howes had little to but watch the ball fly over the bar as Dagenham held onto the three points. 

 

 

Dagenham & Redbridge: Howes, Lusala (Rendall, 75’), Maghoma, Graham, Panter, Carroll, Haigh (Hemmings, 83’), Stephenson (Wilson, 75’), Sidwell (Harrack, 75’), Lawless, Dieng © 

 

Magpies: van Stappershoef, Ragguette, de Havilland, Welch-Hayes (Andrews, 80’), Robinson, Umerah, Dulson (Mitchell-Lawson, 80’), Cochrane, Clerima, Yearn (Popoola, 67’), Onariase (Yearwood, 76’) 

 

Attendance: 1,249 (93)