Digger Dagger Matchday

A performance worthy of great praise, the six sensational minutes which secured the win captured the spirit of the entire ninety; where the Daggers looked confident and assured they could cruise to victory – indeed they did – sending the Shrimpers back home empty-handed. The joy and unrelenting taunts from home supporters were symptomatic of the disparities and role reversal of these two rivals: a high-flying Dagenham team and a derelict, dejected Southend. The first ’45 began in front of the packed Victoria Road crowd with both sides throwing caution to the wind, although the Daggers always looked the more threatening, likelier to score. The best opportunity of the opening 20 minutes saw Scott Wilson hit the side-netting, many supporters initially thinking he’d scored, as he met a low Sagaf cross. A stark contrast to a week earlier and in many games this season, the Daggers had started well, and attacked with real intent from the off. Despite the absence of key strikers Walker and

  Despite the unpredictability of such encounters, here is how myself and Shrimpers supporter Ryan see the game going, with plenty of build-up for you to enjoy below… A huge game, two rivals meeting competitively for the first time in years, for the first time outside of league football and a game that has added significance due to the managerial situation at Southend. These are the sort of games where the league table and current form; it all goes out of the window, the occasion takes hold, and it is who turns up on the day. However, hints at who will turn up on the day can be sought from the recent performances and ultimately, the personnel – man for man – who has the better chance? The Daggers have had a rough(er) time of it of late compared to their flying start which saw them unbeaten in 6 games (winning 5 of them). But, off the back of three straight league defeats, the incredible comeback against Wealdstone seemed to mark a revitalisation of the character of the team that

What a way to progress to the 1 st Round Proper of the FA Cup! It wasn’t going to be easy, we knew that, but the Daggers made it extremely difficult for themselves on Saturday. But it made that victory so much sweeter, the barriers broken in the 90 th minute; victory from the jaws of defeat – there’s no feeling quite like it! As I say, we made it extremely difficult for ourselves and this was from the second minute (supporters having scarcely settled in their seats) as we looked up and instantly saw red. Paul McCallum given his marching orders so early on, the general response was that of disbelief but also slight anger at the striker’s recklessness. Many fans’ eyes were now set on a replay at Victoria Road or grinding out a 0-1 victory while parking the bus for a large chunk of the game. But these provisional plans went out the window after eight minutes, with lacklustre defending allowing the ball to slip through to Jay Bird, whose finish was composed – slotting home beyond Jus

  The stage was set for an enticing encounter but both teams would face a common opposition in the weather conditions, the first time this season the supporters on the terraces felt the bitter cold and drizzle in the Sieve. This was to transcend into a bitter defeat on the pitch, as the Daggers couldn’t hold back the Altrincham flood in the second half, despite going into the break a goal to the good. A series of mistakes that began to creep in toward the end of the tie; from lacklustre defending to a perceived lack of that extra desire by some. Anyhow, these errors led to the first home defeat of the season as McMahon’s men leaked three goals in an afternoon from which lessons can be learnt; hopefully though, the result itself quickly forgotten. I went into the match optimistic, as we sat top of the tree, hoping to remain there come Saturday evening; what was there to worry about with the way we’d been playing? Then, in the drizzle as the game got underway, it didn’t take long b