Dagenham & Redbridge made it back to back home wins on Saturday afternoon. The Daggers held on to beat AFC Fylde 2-1 at The Chigwell Construction Stadium, in the Vanarama National League.
Both Conor Wilkinson and Jack Munns scored their first goals for the Essex side, who came from behind to beat a Fylde outfit that were yet to lose away from home so far this season.
Complacent Start
It was the worst possible start for the Daggers, who fell behind with less than a minute on the clock. Andrew Bond capitalized on a loose ball in the Daggers area after a good block from Manny Onariase to put the visitors ahead.
Elliot Justham was certainly the busier of the two goalkeepers during the game, and the Daggers shot-stopper was called into action again with seven minutes gone, doing well to save from Fylde striker Gime Toure.
Justham was on hand again with 18 minutes gone, as Bond had another chance from the edge of the area, but it was well dealt with by the keeper.
Fight-Back
Wilkinson grabbed the equaliser on his league debut, shortly before the half hour mark, as he picked up the ball on the edge of the area and rifled a shot past Jay Lynch in the Coasters goal.
The away side looked to respond immediately, as in-form striker Danny Rowe skipped past Luke Pennell and whipped in a fizzing ball that flew across the face of goal, but nobody in a Fylde shirt could get on the end of his fantastic cross.
Dagenham had the half’s final meaningful chance, as new signing, Angelo Balanta, almost scored his first goal for the club, but his effort from just inside the box was easily dealt with by Lynch, and the two sides went in level at the break.
Assured Second Half
The second half started slowly, with fans waiting until the 57th minute to see some action, as Daggers substitute Chike Kandi immediately caused the Coasters’ defence problems as his shot flew narrowly wide of the post.
Moments later the Daggers found themselves ahead, as Alex McQueen was set free down the right, with his driven cross finding Munns at the back post, and he tapped home for his first goal for the Essex side.
On 83 minutes, Matt Robinson almost had the ball in the back of the net, but some good covering defending from Jordan Tunnicliffe saw his low shot cleared off the line.
The Daggers held on in the remaining minutes to claim their second home league win in succession and end AFC Fylde’s unbeaten away record.
Daggers: Justham; Nunn©, Goodliffe, Onariase, Pennell, McQueen, Robinson, Phipps, Munns (Gordon 78’), Balanta (Adeloye 88’), Wilkinson (Kandi 57’)
Unused Subs: Moore, Wright.
AFC Fylde: Lynch, Byrne©, Tunnicliffe, Bond (Kellermann 24’), Croasdale (Tasdemir 84’), Rowe, Philliskirk, Burke, Toure, Williams (Hemmings 67’), Haughton
Unused Subs: Birch, Brewitt.
- A minute silence was observed before kick-off, for Dagenham’s Life President – Dave Andrews.
Photos reproduced by kind permission of Dagenham & Redbridge FC
