Digger Dagger Matchday

It was overcast with light drizzle in Dagenham as kick off approached and it was Welsh side Wrexham who were in town. Keates’ side were struggling for form going into this one but as the rebuild had begun there was hope from the Wrexham camp - this game could have been a turning point.  The Daggers on the other hand had not long ago ended their unbeaten run but with three defeats since then - Taylor’s men looked to get back on track. After Archie Andrews, Great grandson of the late Dave Andrews, had led the teams out the game got underway.  The Daggers were the ones who started the brighter as Balanta seemed to be on top of his game - winning an early corner. The resulting corner was dealt with but that was just the beginning of an early Dagenham onslaught. Chike Kandi looked to get in on the action but his and Balanta’s volleys were both denied by Lainton.  The Wrexham Keeper was kept very busy early on and he was soon beaten yet saved by the crossbar - Luque cut inside a

Well. That is Dagenham for you, eh?  Travel to Sutton talking about the 1st round draw only to not actually be in it on the journey home. And why was that? That is what I am going to write about here - why can’t we defeat Carshalton - let alone dominate.  I feel after that performance play-offs are a tough ask unless we change as there was no real goal threat - no real goal threat from a supposedly ‘superior’ team. The chances were plentiful yet the shots were either not being taken or resulted in wasted opportunities.  The former was more evident as it felt like a training drill ‘ten passes before you shoot’ or another rule ‘you must score with a Quigley ‘header’’. The latter seemed the aim of the game in the first half though the supposed striker must have won one aerial duel the entire half.  That is what frustrates me the most, the man has to be told where to be by his own teammates and that worries me. Though he is not the only issue, as one problem forced upon Taylor tha

With the American owners in attendance and the Bury Road End newly decorated with some great banners; The Daggers hosted Barnet. In terms of the starting XI, a notable absence was Captain Kenny Clark who apparently didn’t feel 100% - Taylor wasn’t prepared to take the risk. Therefore Gordon and McQueen started as full backs with Wright and Onariase making up the rest of the back four. Odametey started in the midfield and Graham was preferred to Spaniard Luque.  The sides switched ends and the game got underway with The Daggers kicking towards the Bury Road End - they had the first chance. A corner was won by Dobson however Balanta’s glancing header went just wide of the mark!  It was an encouraging good start from Dagenham but what happened next wasn’t so encouraging as eyes were rolled in The Sieve. Wright took a whack to the head as Clark did a week ago but luckily there was no blood and the No.2 was able to continue.  Matt Robinson was leading the attacking surge gettin