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Ryman
Premier League
Tuesday 30th November 1999
Daggers 3 Aldershot Town1
Another chance of having over 2,000 at Victoria Road spoilt by the fact of playing a prestigious fixture midweek in the middle of Winter. And for the second time in two weeks Dagenham and Redbridge are shown not to be as tight in defence as they had been a few weeks ago.
On a more positive side they did show a lot of resilience and this bore fruit when they pulled back the score to 1-1. This was after the Shots could have taken a 2 goal lead.
It was the midfield that didn't look totally comfortable but the work rate around the rest of the team compensated for this. When Youness Nabil came on as substitute it was pointed out to me how balanced the team became and it was from very cocky back heel from him and the time and space it created that the home side were able to take the lead.
It was good to see the final result of 3-1. Aldershot and Chesham have been two of the better sides that we have seen this season and we we have taken 4 points from them. It seems, at this stage in the season that St. Albans are the only team that may cause us problems. We have both got through the first third of the season without many mishaps. It seems to me that the club that will gain promotion will be the one who has the shortest bad patch!
A quick word about the Aldershot supporters, they seem to be fine. Lets hope that the next time we meet, especially if it's an evening match that we won't have any segregation. I'm sure they would like to change ends at half time and on the evidence of this match there is no reason why not.
Let's hope it's not for a couple of seasons though!!!
Ryman
Premier League
Saturday 27th November 1999
Daggers 1 Chesham United 1
Well I suppose the bubble had to burst. There was I expecting three or four nil victories for every home game this season.and then am improving Chesham have to turn up.
In all honesty they were really good, playing the home side at their own game and doing it away from home. I can only have the utmost respect for the Chesham teams attitude.
Right from the whistle they chased, closed down and were always first to loose balls. Their commitment was impeccable but you felt that at the breakneck pace they wouldn't be able to sustain it. Well, for the most part, they did and that was the difference between the two teams.
I knew that we would face a couple of teams this year who were able to hold us, but, I must admit, I didn't think that it would be Chesham.
At the end of the day, Dagenham & Redbridge were lucky to get a draw. Chesham hit the woodwork at least twice and produced a couple of important saves from Newell.
Dagenham were short of some key players and as injuries and suspensions begin to kick in the depth of squad strength will be tested. They played well enough, with commitment but didn't get that little bit of luck. Chesham wouldn't let them!
Newell, (Sorry, I'm getting too old for this) I'll have to take a pen with me next time!
Ryman
Premier League
Saturday 20th November 1999
Slough Town 2 Daggers 3
I didn't arrive until one minute into the game (I was late because I was trying to convince Tom that going to Slough was better than going shopping at Lakeside) and hadn't even managed to put my gloves on before Slough had taken the lead. I don't think Dagenham & Redbridge had touched the ball up until that point and it was up to Paul Newell to pick it out of the net.
After this initial hic-cup it was then time for the visitors to dominate the next 20 minutes, winning numerous corners and coming close on a couple of occasions. It was Jason Broom who struck a spinning ball through a crowded goal area to bring the daggers level. The game ebbed & flowed for the rest of the half with Dagenham having most of the possession.
The second half started very well indeed and it was Matt Jones who lobbed the out of position keeper to put us 2-1 up. Matt has some strange after goal celebrations which I will detail shortly.
The game finally settled down and Slough, at times, looked more in control than they had when they were in the lead. Mark Janney, with Dagenham's third should have put the game out of reach but Slough bounced back with some good football which ended up with them getting their second.
They pushed for the third but were unable to penetrate the, slightly shakey, visitors defence which didn't look as stable and reliable has it has done for most of the season. A good game and a fair result which now sees the team four points clear at the top of the league with a game in hand.
Moving back a couple of paragraphs....
( I don't normally edit match reports after the event but have made an exception here)
Matt made a comment after scoring at the Slough game and has subsequently explained himself and apologised.
As it appears it was only I who felt a need to bring this subject up, I have to accept that the apology was directed at me. I therefore thank Matt for that and hope he enjoys his stay at the club.
Ryman
Premier League
Friday 12th November 1999
Daggers 5 Hampton & Richmond Borough 0
You heard it here first. What, I hear you ask? My prediction, which I know is a dangerous area to move into.
Dagenham & Redbridge will have won this league by 5 pm on the 18th March 2000, which is at home to Boreham Wood. Give Eric a ring to book your tickets!
I have watched football at all levels for 21 years, I have been excited by it and disappointed by it, I have moaned about and very rarely have I been satisfied by it. From the very beginning of this season I have seen a team develop from having underlying potential to becoming a proficient, calculating unit that knows what it wants and uses a game plan to get it. And they deserve it every time.
The commitment in the first half an hour is phenomenal and even though they don't always get the breaks, either through lucky defending or, as in last nights case, great goalkeeping, they chip away with so much confidence that you know it will come. When it does we are treated to a brace and then the players can relax for a while and gets its breath back, and ours.
Cobb and Shipp are a great partnership and with having MacDougald waiting in the wings, it looks good for when there are injuries. This may already be the case as Shipp had to be substituted when he appeared to have some problems with his ribs after an incident that I didn't see.
Overall, It was a fine performance, the Hampton & Richmond are not a bad team, they are quite capable of holding there own in this league but the final score was a fair which must concern the rest of the league!
By the way, when Dagenham & Redbridge have let me down, I will each my words and apologise profusely for being so cocky and confident.
Newell, Cole (Kane), Naylor, Bodley, Goodwin, Terry2 (Woolsey), Janney1, Cobb1, Shipp (Payne), Broom, Heffer