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Ryman
Premier League
Saturday 25th September 1999
Daggers 4 Enfield 0
I haven't seen the team play for over three weeks but, I must say, everything appears to be going to plan.
Enfield, top of the league, all I can say is, How? I haven't been taken a lot of notice of who they have been playing for this first quarter of the season but now that I have had a look at their record, I can see why they have let in so many goals, the defence was all over the place. What I can't see is how they have scored so many goals. As you know I no longer use a tape machine when writing these reports (I am trying to get away from the 3rd minute, hit post, 7th minute, fell over and hurt leg - style of writing) but I can't remember Enfield having a shot on goal.
With regard to the Dagenham & Redbridge performance, it was just fine. Not quite there yet but as we move toward the winter months, the confidence is increasing and this will help when players are lost due to injury and suspension. Tim Cole look particualary good, playing fine in the centre of defence and moving forward when necessary and to good effect. At the start of the season I wasn't happy with Jason playing at left back but up to now he has proved me wrong. Now I know why I didn't apply for Gary Hill's job! Derek Payne, to me, looks so comfortable in the centre of midfield that I relax when he picks up the ball, knowing full well that his distribution will be impeccable.
It needs a few more weeks for all the players to finally get to know each other, Paul Cobb still not looking 100% happy. He is someone who has to have players around him who understand his game; the way he runs off the ball, gets into space and who can anticipate his next pass. It will come, I am sure.
Newell, Cole2, Broom, Woolsey, Goodwin, Payne, St. Hilliare, Cobb, MacDougald1, Jones, Heffer
Ryman
Premier League
Friday 3rd September 1999
Daggers 2 Billericay Town 1
Once again a performance that is making a step towards our full potential. It will take another five or six weeks as long as a consistent team can be fielded. When this happens Dagenham & Redbridge will be awesome. I know, I know they will let me down, they always do. In fact I thought they were going to on Friday evening. After dominating the first half with good interaction and pace they let Billericay into the match with what was only their 4th venture into our half.. When I say venture that is all it was. They had, up to that stage, made no serious attack on the home side's goal and then they were 1-0 to the good.
As I was thinking, oh, Garry will have a word at the fast approaching break, Steve Heffer put us back on level terms so there we have it. 1-1 at half time.
In the second half the visitors were able to have a little more possession but it was their midfield that couldn't settle. The Daggers took the lead through Junior McDougald (I think) and managed to hold on to it. There were times when I thought I was going to be let down but it's just the teams way of making me panic.
If the Daggers can capitalise on their first half pressure and get 3 or 4 goals ahead as they deserve then this division is all but sewn up. But we have to put the chances away.
Newell, Cole, Broom, Bodley, Matthews, Payne, Rush, Cobb(Shipp), McDougald1, Jones, Heffer1.