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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 30 December 2006 |
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| Dagenham & Redbridge
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Mackail-Smith 80 | Nationwide Conference
Victoria Road Saturday 30th December 2006 | | Report Dagenham and Redbridge ended 2006 sitting on top of the Conference table after a hard fought victory over Halifax Town. The result, coupled with Oxford's draw with Crawley mean that Dagenham finally hit the top after several weeks of missed opportunities.
In truth it was never a classic contest, with conditions not helping, but John Still will be pleased with his sides determination and persistence as much as anything else.
The game started scrappily with Halifax causing the home side a number of problems, especially the front pairing of "Percy" Sugden and Kiwi, Shane Smeltz. However, despite this, clear cut scoring chances were at a premium, with Tony Roberts not overly busy. At the other end the Town back line looked pretty solid, with the smiling ex Sheffield United defender Gus Uhlenbeek impressing.
After the break the Daggers initially had the wind in their favour and this seemed to help them out. Several corners followed but still the clear opportunity they wanted did not come. Indeed, until their departures, Smeltz and the increasingly annoying Sugden still looked dangerous on the break. Just after the hour John Still made a double change, bringing on new signings Paulo Vernazza and Ben Strevens, and taking off Sam Sloma and Glenda. The move seemed to give the Daggers a new impetus, even if Vernazza looked like he had a little to much Italian cooking!!
With the game looking like it was heading for Dagenham's 3rd successive 0-0 home draw, the breakthrough came with about 10 minutes remaining. Big Cliff and Benno linked with Danny Foster on the right and his good looking cross was blown slightly away from goal by the gale now blowing against the home side. Fortunately it fell for Craig Mackail Smith who rifled the ball home from about 12 yards.
At about this point the game was hit by some of the heaviest rain I have ever seen!! This combined with the strong wind going against Dagenham meant that they spent the last few minutes just trying to get out of their own half. They just about managed this and hung on for the crucial 3 points.
Upminster Daggers Man of the Match - Danny Foster
| Dag & Red: Roberts, Foster , Uddin, Blackett, Griffiths, Mackail-Smith, Southam (Strevens 61), Rainford, Sloma (Vernazza 61), Akurang, Benson.
Subs Not Used: Hogan, Cole, Lettejallow.
Goals: Mackail-Smith 80.
Halifax: Mawson, Doughty, Young, Quinn, Kearney, Smeltz, Killeen, Sugden (Joynes 78), Thompson (Torpey 83), Uhlenbeek, Gray (Foster 78).
Subs Not Used: Senior, Roberts.
Booked: Thompson, Doughty.
Att: 1,261.
Ref: A Hendley (West Midlands). |
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