Digger Dagger Matchday

  MATCH REPORT: MANSFIELD 2-1 DAGGERS (AET) COMPETITION: FA CUP Gutted. Though I can take pride from the fantastic, spirited performance that I saw out there today. Nothing but sheer desire, quality and determination – a show of the Daggers spirit some believe we haven’t seen for a while. What follows is a story of heartbreak; yet a story of hope and immense courage as the Daggers saw their chances of progression to Round 3 dashed by a last minute, extra time Maynard goal – snatching the win for the Stags. The Daggers were missing 3 centre backs through injury or otherwise, with Ogogo filling in at right back and Croll/Wright the centre back partnership. They also saw Rance in for Balanta following his return from injury, the former ready to battle in the heart of midfield. The aim was simple: advance to the third round. Although the task was tough: to defeat League Two opposition away from home. It was a scrappy start to the match, with the ball airborne for the first five m

Following on from a hard-fought victory on Saturday; there was pressure on McMahon’s men to replicate this level of performance in the league. This time, they didn’t bow down to pressure, in what was a relatively colossal task – defeating Luke Garrard’s Boreham Wood outfit – at Meadow Park. The Wood having not lost on home turf in over a year, and what’s more, the Daggers had been unable to defeat them (home or away) since 2017. Though, a Myles Weston goal coupled with an Elliot Justham penalty save, being the key points from the game – ensured McMahon’s men had a twist of fate. I say ‘key points’, but that is just on paper, as when we delve into the ball-by-ball, much closer, analysis – there were some crucial individual displays through which the win was secured. One of which that put in an almighty shift, rightly earning him the MOTM award, on his debut – was Joey Jones.  The 26-year-old centre back committed to a 2-year deal at the Daggers in a huge boost for McMahon’s men;

  For the first time since 2015/16, we’ve reached the FA Cup 2 nd round! Now, it wasn’t easy, and for that you have to admire the commitment, desire, quality and all-round attitude in that performance. As one fan put it on Twitter ‘the old Daggers spirit is back’. That’s a view I feel is shared by many this evening as the Daggers, for the first time this season, looked resolute in defence and it all came from a fantastic TEAM performance. The opposition won ten corners in the first half, McMahon’s men with their backs against the ropes, but we were determined – players throwing themselves in the way of the ball for the shirt and the club. If they were to concede anything; it was to be a corner – not a goal! This is the Daggers spirit that people felt they hadn’t seen from Daryl’s men this season and were concerned that it had been lost – without it there was little hope of success. But, it was there today with someone who embodies that spirit (wearing the captain’s armband) Abu Og