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Dagenham & Redbridge

2

Football League 2
Victoria Road

Saturday 3rd May 2008 

The Daggers finished off their first season in the football league with a comfortable victory over relegated Mansfield. Both sides had nothing but pride to play for and therefore had several changes to their teams of the previous week which sealed both teams fate. Sam Sloma and Solomon Taiwo earned rare starts and there were recalls to the bench for Dominic Green and the legendary Lee Goodwin. Rainford and Southam were on the bench of the starters from Darlington.

The game started at a slow pace as it was clear that both sides were struggling to settle. But it was the Daggers who fashioned the first chance of note, the excellent White in the Stags goal somehow kept out Bensons deflected effort with the help of the crossbar. This was the catalyst for Dagenham who pressed forward at every opportunity. Mansfield looked like a side that just wanted the season to end but despite winning the ball on numerous occasions in the Stags area, efforts from Arber, Boardman, and Benson failed to trouble White or wasted good chances. Strevens and Saunders also squandered chances to do better when they took to long to shoot.

Mansfield almost capitalised on Dagenhams poor finishing however, Arnold bringing the ball down well but firing over with the goal at his mercy.

Dagenham were unfortunate to go in level at half time but it only took four minutes after the restart for the duck to be broken. First, Martin gave up possession cheaply to Saunders who's pass found Benson. His controlled volley came back of a post but resulted in a Daggers corner. Strevens headed home his 20th of an excellent season although there seemed to be queue as the Stags marking went awol. The game was probably already over as a contest but there was no doubt it was minutes later. Benson got himself goal-side from a long Roberts kick and Gain flick-on. He managed to get a shot away which was saved by White but he had never really escaped the attentions of Jake Buxton who had a hold of him all the way. Buxton received the inevitable red card and Dagenham a penalty which after some discussion, Benson smashed home.

It was now a question of how many for the Daggers as they attacked a demoralised Mansfield at will. However, the finishing proved profligate as Dagenham failed to add to their tally, although it has to be said White in the Stags goal deserved to concede no more as he was having an excellent afternoon. Benson curled one wide before a Saunders effort was kept out well by White, Benson bizarrely slicing his tap-in onto the head of Strevens 2 yards out who headed onto the custodian and away. There was still time for White to brilliantly tip over a Strevens volley. The main event of the afternoon occurred with 2 minutes to go as Lee Goodwin made a brief appearance after an injury ravaged few seasons. The win saw Dagenham  jump 2 places and finish on 49 points. Job done.

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