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Dagenham vs Stockport Match Day report |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 02 February 2008 |
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| Dagenham & Redbridge
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| Football League 2
Victoria Road Saturday 2nd February 2008 |
Stockport County
1 McSweeney 6 | PRE MATCH
A 12.30 meet in the Yeoman was agreed for the annual UDs sponsored game against Stockport County. 22 attendees had confirmed they would be coming this year. Early arrivals included Stew and Yoof who had already started the festivities before the whip was even formed. People gradually turned up over the next hour, including Robbo and Cobbs who temporarily suspended their boycott of the Yeoman (for "bitter" reasons). Robbo even came in fancy dress for the day, dressed as.............well, not sure how to describe it really. There was some concern for a while that Beast had got lost on the way to the pub (so long is it since he has been there), but he eventually managed to navigate his way there. Bert was also a late arrival and didn't look in good shape after a late night on the Friday. Eventually 20 of the 22 had all arrived and headed for the tube. Bert and Thommo, the later not the sharpest as we know, had not got train tickets in advance and were therefore left stranded on platform 5 as our train pulled away!! On arrival at the ground we were met, as always at the sponsored game, by the ever so helpful Mr Farquar and Carol behind the bar. Winkle had already arrived on his own, but luckily the food had not been put out yet, so the rest of us were able to eat before he finished it. Mr Rawlings then arrived as out 22nd attendee so for the first time ever, nobody had failed to turn up on the day!! We then made our way up to our seats at about five to three.
ATTENDEES
22 in total as stated above. The Big Four were in attendance, as were the other regulars, Browns, Gobless, Saviloa, Winkle and Skippy. Semi-regulars Bobby and Beast were also present. Then it was the annual attendees of Robbo, Cobbs, Bezza, Matt, Junior, Bert, Thommo, Harrison (he does come now and then between the annual event) and Big Dave. Mr Rawlings was making his debut, and of course Yoof is only an associate member (his choice!!).
CROWD
Pretty poor at just below 1,900. Considering WHU were away and our result on Tuesday I had expected a few more than this. Crowd included 450 off from Stockport, which is pretty good, although again, I had expected a few more, as had many Stockport fans I think. However, they were probably the most vocal to visit us all season, and enjoyed some good banter with Robbo. Atmosphere was a bit muted in the Dagenham sections for much of the game, but it did liven up in the last 20 minutes.
GAME
Not a great advert for League Two football. Stockport got in front early, with a very very good goal, but after that not a lot happened. Strevs did hit the bar with a header, and late on Hall, then Strevs, should have scored, but we never really got going, and are struggling for a cutting edge and goals at the moment. We
were entertained in our seats though, by Stockport boss and ex big strong solid hardman centre half Jim Gannon. Jim took offence to a little bit of banter (much less than Mr McEwan took last year!!), and proceeded to throw his toys out of the pram with...........well everyone really!! His own coach, Directors, the 4th official and Dagenham's chief Security Officer!! All very funny stuff. He even complained to the 4th official when the Dagenham fans in the sieve gave Stockport forward Adam Proudlock some stick about his dietary problems.
POST MATCH
It was back into the sponsors lounge where the HLP boys also popped in for a few beers. We then had the normal after match presentations where Robbo went up on behalf of the UDs to receive our gift from the Club, and Bobby chewed the ear off of the Man of the Match!! Winkle tucked into his shepherds Pie, but ended up wearing most of it on his jumper, and everyone's day got worse when we saw the Wrexham score come through. After that it was back to the Yeoman for most, although some drifted off at this point. And there most people stayed for the duration of the evening. Harrison nearly got 7 balled at pool and we watched Liverpool gifted a result by the incompetency of Rob Styles. People then started drifting off although some ended up staying to the bitter end, and some were even stupid enough to venture into Romford later on to continue the day.
Just a quick note to thank everyone at the Club for another great day. Whenever we sponsor the match we are well looked after by all the staff at the Club who make us feel very welcome, and this year was no different.
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