Daggers Back To Winning Ways

Dagenham & Redbridge returned to winning ways at the Chigwell Construction stadium. Robson Friend reports.

After a difficult loss to Guiseley at the weekend, Daggers secured three vital points in their title challenge with a 2-1 victory over Bromley.

It was the visitors who took the lead at Victoria Road, early on. However it was the Daggers who took the victory thanks to Fejiri Okenabirhie’s goal just before half time and a late winner from Jake Sheppard.

John Still opted to make a couple of changes to his side after Corey Whitely was sent off in the Daggers’ last defeat to Guisely at home.

New signing Jake Howells replaced the suspended Whitely and Frankie Raymond started in the centre of the midfield alongside Andre Boucaud.

It was a rocky start for the Daggers conceding in the seventh minute mark as Bromley striker Brandon Hanlan found himself through on goal with only the keeper to beat.

After a cool finish from the man on-loan from Charlton Athletic, the away side played the brightest and continued to create the best chances of the half.

Hanlan found himself with further opportunities to strike again during the first-half, but eventually the early relentless attacking play from Bromley subsided and before the half ended the home side began to find some rhythm.

Still’s side eventually got the equaliser in the 40th minute mark. Okenabirhie picked up a loose ball and with his back facing the goal turned and fired into the roof of the net.

It was arguably against the run of the play and questionably undeserved, but the Daggers didn’t care.

Frenetic

With both sides level, it was all to play for in the second half. Though, despite an – at times – frenetic first half, both clubs approached the rest of the game tentatively with very little separating both teams.

As the clock ran down, both clubs had seemingly run out of ideas, but the Daggers pushed for one final meaningful attack.

With two minutes left, Jake Sheppard, on-loan from Reading, gathered possession in the opposition’s half before striking the ball expertly into Ross Flitney’s top corner.

The young Dagger’s effort from over 25 yards would end up being the winner with  Still’s side running out as 2-1 victors.

The Daggers are now sat second in the Vanarama National League just three points behind league leaders Lincoln City. Next up for the club is another home fixture against relegation-battling Maidstone on Tuesday night.

Daggers: Justham; Sheppard, Doe, Robson, Widdowson; Boucaud, Raymond; Maguire-Drew (Staunton 79’), Okenabirhie, Howells (Benson 57’); Hawkins (Doe 90’)

Subs: Cousins, Grant

Bromley: Flitney; Dunne, Chorley, Holland, Anderson; Turgott, Minshull, Higgs, Dennis; Goldberg (Sho-Silva 73’), Hanlan

Subs: Wynter, Johnson, Dymond, Stanic-Stewart

Attendance: 1,202

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