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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 13 January 2007 |
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| Redditch United
3
Rickards 53 Hollis 6, 66 pen
| FA Trophy
Valley Stadium Saturday 13th January 2007 | Dagenham & Redbridge 2 Benson 47 Sloma 73 | Report Dagenhams trophy dreams are over for another season as they succumbed to a humbling 2nd round defeat at lowly conference North side Redditch.
The match, which had been in some doubt due to the soggy nature of the turf at the Valley Stadium started with the visitors kicking into the strong wind. Redditch appeared to have problems with their 4-4-2 formation to start as both CMS and Sloma found themselves in acres of space down the Daggers left. Any sort of telling delivery would have resulted in a Daggers opener as the home side were doing their best to hang on. At the other end, the Redditch threat came mostly from the the long throw of Lemar or various scattered set-pieces hung up into the wind. Before half-time, CMS had a decent claim for a penalty turned down as he tumbled under the challenge of the home custodian. Opinion as to whether it was a pen was devided in the daggers ranks, some feeling that Macca had made a little too much of the contact. The game was all square at the break, both sides probably happy with the outcome in difficult conditions.
The 2nd half started with a bang, the Daggers forcing their way in front through a Benson header from a corner, although it did appear to have some help on its way in from a combination of keeper and defender. That, im afraid was it from the boys, who clearly decided that Redditch were not capable of pulling a goal back against the mighty Daggers. It was also the Cue for our match official to make a name for himself and help knock out the conference leaders.
Redditch were level within 6 minutes. The goal owed much to the hesitant defending of Annie and Shane in the swirling wind but take nothing away from Rickards who smashed the ball into the top corner of Robbo's net on the half volley.Redditch now had the bit between their teeth and were sensing their chance to pull off a shock. The wind, now seemed to be more blustery than straight down the pitch, aiding confusion. The goal to put them in front was a combination of poor defending and good fortune. A soft free-kick was awarded by our match official who was clearly caught up in the atmosphere. Daggers anger was compounded as a Robbo and Shane left the ball to each and it sailed directly in.
Worse was to follow as Rickards grabbed his second from the spot after a twice taken penalty, awarded against the piece of turf that gave way as he tried to turn Annie in the box.
Dagenham were clearly up against and pushed forward at every opportunity know trying to force their way back into the game without really looking likely. Sam Sloma, arguably our best player in a woeful performance added to his tally of outstanding goals in the 73rd minute. Sam picked up the ball and drove into the Redditch half, tracked by 2 opponents. He let fly, picking his moment with the wind behind him, and the ball flew into the top corner from fully 40 yards. An exceptional strike. The boys pushed forward in the last 15 looking for a goal to take the tie back to Victoria Road, CMS having the best chance from a one on one situation but striking into the keepers legs when squaring into Benno may have been a betting option. Benno also failed to connect with a loose ball in the 6 yard box and also fired one across the face as time began to run out. Daggers forced a corner in the last seconds giving Robbo the chance of glory as he contacted with a volley that was well blocked.
In truth, Daggers got all they deserved from the game, their trophy hopes extinguished like the lights of Redditch during the ensuing power cut.
Upminster Daggers Man of the Match - Sam Sloma | Redditch: Anstiss, Petty, Whitcombe, Rea, Geohaghon, Softley, Robert Taylor, Jermaine Clarke, Rickards, Hollis, Carl Palmer.
Dag & Red: Roberts, Griffiths, Uddin, Foster , Sloma, Blackett, Leberl, Southam, Akurang (Strevens), Mackail-Smith, Benson.
Subs Not Used: Cole, Saunders, Lettejallow, Hogan.
Att: 762
Ref: R Fletcher (Derbyshire). |
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