Digger Dagger Matchday

In this series, ‘Once A Dagger’, I look back at the former Daggers who have gone on to be rather successful since leaving Victoria Road. I will be looking back at their time at the club but also what they have gone on to achieve - the first player is Matt Ritchie! 
Matt is now an established Premier League player with 120 top-flight appearances and counting but he has along with other graced the hallowed Victoria Road turf in a Daggers shirt. 
Matt joined the Daggers on an initial one month loan deal in the September of 2008 but his debut only consisted of a late substitute appearance against Rotherham. 
His first competitive start however didn’t go unnoticed as he contributed a goal in the 2-0 victory over Rochdale - he was off the mark. The winger later made it 2 in 2 as he found the net against rivals Barnet securing another 2-0 victory. 
The now Newcastle player also scored in the 6-1 victory over Notts County that season, as well as getting a vital goal in the reverse fixture at Roch…

Tuesday 8th August Away v Boreham Wood  - National League
In their second game of the campaign the Daggers travelled to Meadow Park in their pursuit for two wins out of two. John Still unsurprisingly named an unchanged side. They went to Meadow Park to play a side that got their campaign underway with a 2-2 draw at AFC Fylde so could they go one better at home to Dagenham & Redbridge.

Well Boreham Wood got things underway at Meadow Park and started the liveliest but a poor header back to Smith by defender Tom Champion was pounced upon by Daggers’ Fejiri Okenabirhie. This launched Dagenham into the lead along with a flare from the away supporters in the 2nd minute.

The Wood continued to attack and push for a quick response with a few dangerous crosses not met. However, the home team’s resilience was finally rewarded when they were awarded a penalty as Lokko brought down Andrade in the box. Andrade himself smashed it top bins in front of the visiting fans; whom he after 7 minutes wasn’…

We’ve made it to the final! Now, it may not be Wembley, as typically we’ve managed to get to the only final we could get to that isn’t played at the national stadium. However it’s a final nonetheless and a chance to get our hands on some silverware regardless of its prestige. I am optimistic about the final as we face Billericay in what I hope will be the first trophy of many for McMahon at the club. 

I wouldn’t like to underestimate the opponents though and feel it would be wise to play a full-er strength team to get the job done. I would still stick with Strizovic in goal though as he has helped Dagenham throughout the competition to get to this stage. Aside from the selection, watching on will be the keen eyes of the owners whom confirmed they’d be in attendance via Twitter. 

For them, a trophy is a trophy so they’ll be desperate to get their hands on the prize! 

As this post is entitled the Road to Colchester (that is a road as in journey not the A12 or Colchester Road) I will look b…

A month ago on Wednesday Daryl McMahon took charge of his first game at the Daggers as he took his side to Nottingham where they were ultimately defeated by a Michael Doyle wonder-goal. Fast forward four weeks and McMahon is reflecting on a last-gasp equaliser that salvaged his side a point at home to Stockport. There have been Essex Senior Cup ties sandwiched between the all-important National League fixtures where the winless streak in the league has been ended. Off the pitch, Daryl and the owners have been busy building a squad that fits the Gaffer’s style of play – attacking and always being on the front foot.

Above is an overview of the facts and figures of McMahon’s reign so far. 


11th January: First game defeat to Notts
Daryl McMahon’s first game as Daggers manager would be in the FA Trophy - away to one of THE biggest clubs in the competition - Notts County. It was decided, as aforementioned, at the death with Doyle netting from halfway but what I’m willing to focus on here is th…

MY RATINGS & OPINIONS - REID ALL ABOUT IT


Here are my player ratings following a great victory over Notts County in which Reid got a brace in the 2-0 win. A first and much needed league win in a while saw McMahon, in his first league game in charge, get his tactics spot on. The attacking display and defensive stability was a joy to behold along with the CLEAN SHEET! 
Here was my immediate reaction on Twitter: 


GAFFER RATING:
DARYL McMAHON - 10


Daryl’s rating, in his first league game in charge, sums up the performance as I believe that result was partly down to him setting up the side to win. The constant running and pressure he demanded and getting the ball forward has been rare this season. The playing style is very pleasing and lived up to my expectations. The return of Deering and introduction of Alex Reid no doubt helped but as I say the tactics were pleasing. 
PLAYER RATINGS: 
ELLIOT JUSTHAM - 9


Fantastic! Fantastic as ever was the No.1 yesterday between the sticks with some match-w…