One goal was enough for Dagenham & Redbridge as they progressed to the second round of the FA Cup, after a 0-1 away win at York Road against Maidenhead United.
First Half
The first chance of the game came when Junior Morias fired from range, but his effort was comfortably saved by Magpies’ keeper Alexis Andre Jr.
Dagenham were on top when Mo Sagaf drove through the heart of the hosts’ midfield before he was brought down. The resulting free kick from Morias narrowly missed the target.
A few minutes shy of half time the Daggers hit the post. An Omar Mussa corner was headed goalward, but central defender Manny Onariase’s effort cannoned back off the goalframe.
Second Half
After an even first half in terms of possession, the away side started the brighter of the two in the second half. Mussa was inches away from opening the scoring when his effort went just wide of Andre Jr’s right-hand post.
On the 67th minute of the game Maidenhead defender Will De Havilland received his second yellow card and was subsequently sent off after he brought down his opponent in an attempt to prevent a counterattack.
Josh Walker had a golden opportunity to put his side in front when he hit the side netting in a one-on-one situation with Andre JR.
Minutes later though he redeemed himself as he volleyed in from just inside the box, after good work down the left from Sagaf, the midfielder’s cross found Walker whose first touch sat up nicely for the volley, which he drilled under the keeper.
Dagenham had numerous chances to put the game too bed but couldn’t capitalise.
McMahon Very Pleased
Daggers manager Daryl McMahon spoke to DaggersTV and thought his side deserved to go through and were the better team:
“I thought were excellent from start to finish. I thought we totally controlled the game.”
McMahon went on to explain the impact of the red card on the match:
“I thought it made it tougher for us, their back line went deeper but we stayed really patient, we didn’t panic and lump the ball forward”.
What’s Next?
It’s back to league action for the Daggers in midweek as they travel to Aldershot Town on Tuesday night.
Edited By: Joshua Owoaje
