SPIRITED DAGGERS SUFFER HEARTBREAKING DEFEAT
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 minutes, although the first chance came for the
Stags. A dangerous, low ball across the box beat every Daggers defender and too
Cooke – much to the fortune of the Visitors – the Mansfield man going
agonisingly close! There was soon a chance up the other end as the ten minute
mark approached, in the form of a corner. Weston whipped in the corner but it
was well cleared, though Wilson and Weston began to lead the charge down the
flanks as McMahon’s side grew in confidence.
A well-organised
away side seemed impossible to break down with Nigel Clough’s side unable to
find a way through, but someone who was able to find a way through the Stags
back line was Paul McCallum! He found the net from an acute angle after Myles
Weston penetrated the Mansfield defence – a dream start - the number 9 making
it 2 in 2 in his return from injury.
However, that lead was to last just 5 minutes as the hosts
recorded an almost instant reply; Charsley fired it low and hard into the
corner, underneath the arms of Justham. The game had opened up a little as a fired
up McCallum came close to getting his second: just unable to connect with the
header from another promising delivery. Daryl’s men refused to hold back in
their pursuit to restore their lead, good interplay between Deering and Wilson looked
to open up the home side’s defence down the flanks – where they remained vulnerable
did the Stags.
The danger still very much alive though in the National
League side’s defences as Elliot Justham was called upon to keep the scores level,
pushing Clarke’s effort behind, that was destined for the top corner. An
entertaining affair, the mini magician Deering nearly making it 1-2, with the help
of a deflection – Stech though equal to it.
Both sides continued to throw caution to the wind: counter
after counter with neither side willing to let up. The Daggers perhaps the more
cautious of the two, as you’d expect, getting men behind the ball out of
possession, as oppose to the counter-press of Clough’s side. As the half-time
break came upon us, Scott Wilson had one last effort – however tame – before Rance
made the challenge of the half. Commendable last-ditch defending in the box, he
had to get the slide tackle right.
The resultant corner came to nothing and the referee
blew for half time. The end to an entertaining first ’45 which saw the Daggers
do us proud and get in front on 20 minutes. Despite the quick equaliser, McMahon’s
men stuck at it and could easily have found themselves back in front. A first
half of desire, quality and fight – the Daggers spirit well and truly alive at The
One Call stadium. I’m sure McMahon echoed the cries of supporters – “more of
the same” – the East London outfit matching the League Two side.
The second half commenced and it was picking up where
they left off for Dagenham as Wilson made hay down the wing and cut inside –
his low-driven effort not troubling Stech though. Sweeney gave a chance for his
side to re-group as he went down for a good 2 minutes receiving treatment. Back
up on his feet, the home side looked to get on the front foot but they were
unable to find a way through a resolute Dagenham. That was until the 51st
minute, when the ball landed in the hands of Elliot Justham, following a Stags
header.
With the home side temporarily down to ten men due to
injury, the Daggers looked to capitalize, but Mansfield’s aerial dominance also
extended to their defence – clearing any danger. Forced to make the first substitute
of the game, Clough introduced Maris, the match still needing a breakthrough for
either side to advance in normal time. Wilson spearheaded the effort for his
side to get ahead as he drove forward, playing it out wide to Weston – his cross
receiving no response.
Deering would be the first to enter the book, the cup
tie still being contested fiercely, just a tad late into the challenge on the
halfway line – just under 30 minutes remaining of normal time. That normal time
perhaps being all that was required as Clarke tried his luck, a fantastic block
from Will Wright denying the Stags a lead. Looking to restore a lead of their
own, Weston made his way again into the box after great play. His cross came
out to that man again, Sam Deering Dagenham’s influential number 7 whose
curling effort was plucked out of the air by Stech.
Whatever was to happen in the 15 minutes that remained
(or beyond) Dagenham could be proud of the performance they put in. Although,
the result was still at the forefront of everyone’s mind, including McMahon’s
as he replaced the impressive Weston for the technically gifted Angelo Balanta.
Clough looking to put his stamp on the game introduced Reid; an exciting finale
was set up in the East Midlands.
The substitute Reid so nearly turned into a super sub,
though the hands of Justham denied him, the Daggers number one getting down low
to keep it out – a fantastic save! 7 minutes remaining, McMahon’s side won a
free-kick midway inside the Mansfield half, Deering though failing to beat the
first man. That so nearly proved extremely costly as the Stags broke and Reid
again found himself in behind with the chance to win it – his effort straight
at Justham though.
A thriller. This match was the sort you couldn’t take your
eyes off, as Deering was soon in with the chance of snatching it for the
Daggers up the other end. He looked to
nestle his effort into the far corner but it went just the wrong side of the
post! Neither side wanted to play a further 30 minutes with games in midweek,
Daryl marking his intent with the introduction of the young, exciting attacker
George Saunders.
Wright put hid side under pressure on 89 minutes, slicing
his clearance behind for a corner, though luckily for him – Dagenham coped with
it and got the ball clear. The last chance was to be a Daggers one as Saunders
won a corner to the left of the box, a perfect opportunity to cause an upset! Deering
floated it in but Croll’s header rose just over.
Despite Mansfield’s late endeavours to snatch the victory
late on, extra time would be needed to separate the two sides!
The Stags began on the front foot as Maris took the
first shot of the half following a nice move – his effort though far from
satisfactory! The Daggers, looking tired, so nearly fell behind on 97 minutes
but the linesman was to keep hope alive for the visitors – the Mansfield goal
ruled out – a huge let off for McMahon’s men! Another tame effort was collected
without issue by Justham, his side under the cosh to say the least.
Half time of extra-time and we looked headed for
penalties with the scores still level, though as the second half got underway,
Mansfield piled on the pressure – chance after chance. A Will Wright block was
vital on the 6-yard box to deny an effort destined for the net, then a Reid
overhead kick called Justham to pull off a majestic save!
The next chance though was a Daggers one, who replaced
Rance with Charlee Adams, Deering was the one to whip in the free-kick but
Stech punched clear! Enjoying a spell of attacking dominance, the Daggers soon won
a free-kick right on the edge of the box and it was Will Wright to take it –
Daggers supporters praying – but it was fired into the wall.
With a minute to play before penalties, Daggers legend
Ogogo was the one to deny Mansfield a late, late winner! But that was only for
his side to concede a late, late, late winner at the very death – the penultimate
kick! Maynard netting for the hosts. Daggers, heartbroken.
That was it as Brundle failed to score from halfway. A
fantastic Daggers performance with fans ensuring that wasn’t taken away by the
result. Plenty of positives to take, but it’ll take a day or two to get over
the manner of the defeat.
Thanks for reading,
Keane
COYD
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