Digger Dagger Matchday

5 games in : Who has made the best start? Ruthless Wrexham, High - flying Halifax, Fabulous Fylde, Solid Sutton, Good - going Gateshead, Surprising Solihull and Hard - working Harrogate make up the top 7. Bottle - job Braintree, Boring Barnet, Dismal Dagenham and Moronic Maidenhead make up the bottom four. That is what it looks like on paper and is what people think when they see the sides and where they are positioned, but does this tell the whole story?  Do results really lie? Is this the template of where the sides are going to finish? Or is it too early to tell? Here is where you will find a review of the start teams have made to the National League 2018/19. Table Toppers:                        P    W   D   L   GD  Pts Wrexham       5     4    1    0     8     13 Wrexham haven't failed to impress so far this season; unbeaten, solid, ruthless. Ricketts is new to the business of coaching and what a start he has made leading the Welsh side to 4 clean shee

                                                                               Elliot Justham                 Sam Johnson Both keepers have played every minute of every game this season but Johnson has probably had a more successful season so far. This is how the two compare: Comparisons Appearances 4/4 Clean Sheets 0/3 Goals Conceded 7/2 So we know about our man Justham, but who is The Shaymen's Sam Johnson? Sam started his career at Port Vale and after loan spells at a few clubs including Gateshead and Halifax, where he had two loan spells. He then moved on a free transfer to The Shaymen at the start of last season where he made 44 appearances and accumulated 3 yellow cards and 1 red. He has made a fabulous start to this campaign with three consecutive clean sheets but that fashion ended on match day 4 against Salford where his side went away with 0 points and -1 goal difference losing 2-1 to Salford. Johnson and Halifax will be look

                    Alex Davey                                                   V                                                        Matty Kosylo  Alex Davey: Alex will be hoping to start against Halifax however he isn't exactly the first name on the team sheet. He didn't feature in Peter Taylor's first XI against Boreham Wood but fellow centre half' Goodliffe's red card saw Davey take his place for the entirety of his suspension. Davey showed quality so whether he is picked against Halifax will be interesting, he has a lot more experience than Ben - but that isn't everything. Davey was yellow carded last time out, as well as being the man who gave away a free kick which led to a corner where the goal came early on. Despite that mistake he remains a good asset to this Dagenham & Redbridge side.  Matty Kosylo: Kosylo is a man who provides an attacking threat as well as a few goals for Halifax, the last time he scored being Tuesday nig

                                                                              Harry Donovan                                                                                                 Cameron King  Harry Donovan: Harry is on a six month loan from Millwall where he is yet to make a senior appearance but at 19 he is out to prove his talent. So far Harry has played every game so far this season, he is yet to put the ball in the back of the net but his desire and fight has put him among the fan's favourites. He has picked up one yellow card in four games testament to his desire, Harry will hopefully shine at The Shay as he looks to dominate the midfield. He is obviously a signing who Peter Taylor trusts and someone who he sees a lot of potential in.   Cameron King: Unlike Harry, Cameron King has got off the mark in terms of goal scoring as he helped The Shaymen on their way to a 3-0 victory at home to the Stones; scoring his first senior goal. Cameron is 22, thr

Aldershot Preview As it stands As it stands Dagenham are level on points with bottom side Aldershot but they sit in 19th on goal difference. They better Aldershot's goal difference by two,  -4 compared to -2. Predicted XIs Dagenham & Redbridge: 1 Elliot Justham 3 Liam Gordon 20 Will Wright 5 Alex Davey 25 Gavin Hoyte 8 Harry Donovan 4 Matt Robinson 26 Ollie Harfield 7 Alexander McQueen 10 Elliot Romain 19 Tomi Adeloye Aldershot Town: 13 Will Mannion 3 Lewis Kinsella 5 George Fowler 6 Karleigh Osborne 11 Luke Wanadio 12 Dominic Bernard 14 James Rowe 15 Josh Lelan 17 Regan Booty 20 Dan Holman 21 Jacob Berkeley - Agyepong Ones to watch The Shots' one to watch is Regan Booty who they have acquired on loan from the Huddersfield youth setup. The 20 year old has featured in all three of Aldershot's games this season but he has been awarded two yellows and scored no goals. Therefore, the midfielder is looking

Lightning Mcqueen Dagenham gained a creditable draw as debutants Adeloye and Mcqueen impressed when they came off of the bench. Tomi Adeloye started the second half as he began his campaign in front of a loud Victoria Road. The young Daggers went into today's game knowing defeat wasn't an option if they were to climb out of the relegation zone. Taylor made one change from the defeat to Maidstone bringing in Harfield in for Phipps. Maidstone got the game underway in Essex and it was the visitors who had the first promising chance of the game as Bird got into the box but his effort went wide. Another chance for the side in black and white striped shirts came soon after as their well worked move caused a threat before it was cleared by the head of Wright.  The home side's first move up the field didn't advance beyond the 18 yard box as it broke down, too easily in my opinion. Pentney had his heart in his mouth as a mix up at the back, caused by a lack

This is an important game for both sides even this early on in the season. As neither side  have registered a point and are in the relegation zone; Dagenham & Redbridge ,22nd, Maidenhead,24th. If either side lose in this encounter they will be in trouble already because then they will have the small matter of getting out of the drop zone. That could take a while if results don’t go their way and the threat of relegation could become very real.   One to watch: The Daggers’ one to watch is  winger Lamar Reynolds who is yet to get off the mark as his efforts have been met by great goalkeeping. His ability to break away and run at defenders as well as cut inside proves he is a real threat and the way he is playing a goal seems imminent.  One to watch: Maidenhead's one to watch is James Akintunde a striker who signed from Chester in the summer. He netted 8 times last season but was unable to prevent their relegation. His goal scoring tally is currently zero as well so

The forum saw questions asked to; Peter Taylor, Paul Gwinn and Steve Thompson with one question being asked to Terry Harris towards the end. Why did you take the job? I was asked to do more scouting but I enjoy managing and coaching a lot more. I knew that John was leaving to Barnet so was aware of the vacancy. I was invited to the club and went to the meeting, on the way back I thought if I get it great if not we will move on. I then got the call and was excited by the prospect of the job, I knew it would be difficult but I am pleased I took the job. Investors? There were 9 or 10 realistic possibilities but they didn't quite get pushed over the line but we are currently talking to two different lots of people. In terms of previous interest one potential investor who looked quite promising was from Spain unfortunately the deal fell through. We are hopeful that an investor will come in. Striker?   You are spot on we need a striker, to lose Cheek was nightmare

                            Too little too late for Dagenham                             Home V Maidstone  It was a pleasant evening in Essex as Dagenham & Redbridge hosted Maidstone in the Vanarama National League fixture. Dagenham defender Alex Davey made his debut as he stepped in for the suspended Goodliffe at centre back. The visitors got the match underway and almost instantly won a free kick on halfway, however they didn’t get that very early lead. Up the other end Romain was fouled closer to the danger area and was awarded a free kick. Reynolds whipped it in and it went behind for a corner but  lead to no goal threat. The Stones had a good spell of possession but they were ultimately dispossessed. Kandi raced away from his man before putting in a poor cross that went straight to Worgan.  The Daggers started the livelier of the two sides however moves broke down in the final third frequently again as there was no real physical presence up front. Maidstone struggled to

     Elliot Justham      Lee Worgan                                                                                                                                                       Elliot had a season on the side line after Still favoured Cousins over him and there was also a few minor injury concerns. He didn't feature at all last season compared to 43 in 2016/17 this has no doubt made him even more determined to do well. With Cousins gone he is out there to impress, and Elliot didn't disappoint in the first game against Boreham Wood. Worgan is a familiar face around Maidstone as he went five seasons without hardly missing a league game! That's loyalty for you. At 1.85m the Stones man is a tall figure and big frame to get past, Lee is focused on improving Maidstone's finish from 19th last season. At 34 he is an experienced keeper who has another couple of seasons in him.

                                                                             Harry Phipps                                                              V                          Stuart Lewis             The 19 year old goes up against his former club tonight whom he played 10 games for, Harry was out on loan for the majority of his time with the Stones. Phipps impressed during his trial therefore he was rewarded with a contract at the Daggers. He continued to impress at Meadow Park as his strength in midfield saw him hold off opponents as well as spread the ball out wide to the likes of Kandi. The young Dagger is up against experienced Stuart Lewis of Maidstone, the midfielder also likes to have a punt at goal. He played 41 games last season scoring 4 goals becoming a core part of the team. He started for their draw with Hartlepool and will probably be starting tonight against The Mighty Daggers, under the floodlights of Victoria Road. Player Profiles: Harry Phipp

Key Battle 1                                                                   Liam Gordon                                                         V                                                              Blair Turgott  The 19 year old left back was up against Ricky Shakes last time out, he played well defensively however his balls down the line found a white shirt time and time again. Hopefully, he can rectify that and not give the ball away to an oncoming Turgott, tonight. Blair has really hit the ground running this season, as the right winger has already been named on the score sheet  scoring his side's only goal in a 1-1 draw against Hartlepool. He will be determined to better his tally of 3 goals from last season, after getting off to a good start this campaign, Gordon and Dagenham stand in his way on Tuesday night. Player Profiles Liam Gordon: Age: 19 Daggers appearances: 3 Goals Conceded: 6 Daggers debut: Liam's

Dagenham V Maidstone - Match Preview Hopefully the infamous Victoria Road scoreboard has been sorted out ahead of the first Vanarama National League fixture of the season at the home of the mighty Daggers. We don't want jeering chants from the Stones fans of ' Scoreboard, what is the score?' Here are the two sides' predicted XIs: Dagenham & Redbridge  (4-3-3) 1 Elliot Justham 3 Liam Gordon 20 Will 'Wrighty' Wright 6 Luke Pennell 25 Gavin Hoyte 4 Matt Robinson 16 Harry Phipps 26 James Blanchfield 10 Elliot Romain (out wide, please!) 9 Chike Kandi 11 Lamar Reynolds ( The One) Maidstone  ( Line up V Hartlepool) 1 Worgan 16 Twumasi 5 De Havilland 6 Finney 3 Mclennan 21 Muldoon 8 Lewis 22 Phillips 11 Turgott 14 Loza 9 Quigley Both sides are looking to get their first three points on the board as Maidstone drew 1-1 at home to Hartlepool and the Daggers lost 1-0 at Meadow Park. There is extra insentive for the young Da