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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 12 October 2006 |
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Dagenham's promotion aspirations will be severely tested on Saturday as they travel to Broadhall Way to face in form Stevenage Borough. Click on Read more for a full preview
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| | | Nationwide Conference
Broadhall Way Saturday 14 October 2006
3:00pm |
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After a slow start to the season "Boro" are currently enjoying a six match unbeaten run and recorded an impressive away victory on Tuesday night, coming from behind to win 2-1 at Southport. Their recent form has carried them into the top of the table and they will be looking for a positive result on Saturday to continue this recent surge. However, the Daggers are the other form side of the Conference at the present time and will not fear the men from Hertfordshire.
OPPOSITION:
It was all change at Stevenage in the summer, with Mark Stimson taking over the reigns from Graham Westley. Stimson of course is familiar to Daggers fans after his exploits over the last few years with local rivals Grays Athletic.
Dangerous players appear to be Steve Morrison and George Boyd, who have been putting away the goals in recent weeks. Jon Nurse also grabbed a goal in the Southport game on Tuesday and looks to have settled in well since returning from Woking.
PAST VISTS:
The Daggers most impressive recent display at Broadhall Way was a 3-1 victory in March 2002. Mark Stein netted a hatrick that night as Dagenham looked set to take the Conference title (oh what might have been!!!). The Daggers also recorded an impressive victory in December 2003, in their first game after the departure of Lee Matthews. Chris Moore netted his first goals for the club on that chilly afternoon. Stevenage have also had their moments in the fixture though, including a 2-1 victory last season, in a game shown live on SKY Sports. It was harsh result on the visitors who had created numerous chances, but failed to capitalise.
GROUND:
Broadhall Way is one of the best grounds currently in the Conference. Seating is provided along one side of the ground and behind the goal occupied by visiting supporters. Covered terracing is provided along the far side of the pitch and behind the other goal. The ground also includes several executive boxes and an electronic scoreboard (visiting fans cannot see this as it is on the roof of their stand!!!!). The view for away fans is also one of the best in the Conference, although it is normally a lot more expensive to get in at Stevenage than at other Conference grounds. In the past the food has also been awful and overpriced so I would make use of the food outlets on the other side of the roundabout outside the ground!!!
There is normally a good atmosphere at this game. Last year's game was particularly notable for the general noise and visiting fans will also remember the atmosphere in the away end in the 3-1 victory in 2002, although some of us may regret the "We're Going to Win the League" chants!!!!
TRAVEL:
This is not a difficult ground to reach for Daggers fans. The Upminster Daggers are travelling by car this year, and this should take about 75 minutes round the M25 from the Dagenham area. However, in the past we have travelled by train which is also a fairly easy journey. Trains to Stevenage run from Kings X and are pretty regular. It is worth checking train details when boarding the train as some trains only take 25 minutes to reach Stevenage from London, whereas others can take 50 minutes. The ground is about a 25 minute walk from the station but we would advise jumping in a cab from outside of the station (turn left down the ramp as you exit station). In the past this has cost us about £4-£5. Alternatively there is a bus which runs from the station to the ground which I believe is the number 5 (come out of the station, past the Sports Centre and over the road to pick up buses).
Hopefully with all these ways of traveling their will be a large Daggers following at the game.
PREDICTION:
It's a tough one to call, but with both teams in form I would opt for a draw!!! Both teams have also scored a number of goals of late and so the game should be entertaining. With this in mind I will go for a 2-2 draw.
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