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Dagenham vs Darlington (H) |
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Written by Administrator
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Saturday, 06 October 2007 |
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| Dagenham & Redbridge
0
| Football League 2
Victoria Road Saturday 6th October 2007 |
Darlington 3 Foster 45 Blundell 67 Wright 83 | John Still stuck with the same XI that had done well in taken 6 points away from Mansfield and Brentford in the previous week and it was no real surprise that they came out of the blocks strongly. Darlo looked like a side there for the taking in the early stages with a few of their players looking a little edgy, especially in the back 4. For all the early possession though, clear cut chances were at a premium for the home side. Sam Saunders and Chris Moore had efforts and Moore should have done better, pouncing on a slip and delaying his shot long enough to work the opening onto his left foot. The delay was crucial however as it gave skipper Foster the chance to block. Saunders was to force the only save of the afternoon out of Oakes, fumbling an effort to safety, and Moore curled a free-kick over with Oakes rooted to the spot.
The Darlo side contained players of the calibre of Julian Joachim and as the half wore all, his class became more evident, never wasting possession and constantly probing at the Dagenham rearguard. As the half approached it end and managers teamtalks penciled, Darlo found themselves in front. Kelties delivery found Darlo skipper Foster in acres of space at the far post. He still had plenty to do but smashed home giving Robbo no chance. 20 seconds later and it was half-time, a real sucker punch for the home side.
That was it from Dagenham as for the next 45 minutes, Darlo gave a masterclass in how to keep the ball and how to fashion, and finish, chances. Joachim and Keltie were at the heart of everything, picking passes whilst shifting an ever tiring back 4 and midfield from pillar to post. Time and again Darlo were able to get in behind Fossie and Griffiths and without some desperate defending the score could have been more. This was typified by Griffiths, somehow hooking off the line after Darlos Foster had forced past Robbo. Ironically, Darlingtons 2nd goal came from a brief period of Dagenham pressure. Sam Saunders again had a shot blocked and from the rebound the ball appeared to leave the field of play for a Daggers throw. The linesman in front of the sieve didn’t agree, Darlo rightly played to the whistle, and when the ball found itself to Joachim in the right hand corner, he calmly picked out Blundell for him to steer home from near the penalty spot. The Dagenham players were incensed at the lack of a flag from lineman and although he found it funny, not many in the ground agreed!
The game was over as a contest now yet there was still almost half hour to go. Darlington played keep ball, giving us a taste of how the experienced sides at this level kill off games. Darlo grabbed a 3rd for good measure with 8 minutes to go, Wright was put through by Cummins to finish with ease and send the travelling fans home happy.
Upminster Daggers Man of the Match: Sam Saunders
| Dag & Red: Roberts, Foster , Uddin, Smith, Griffiths, Saunders, Rainford (Sloma 74), Huke, Southam, Moore (Green 77), Strevens.
Subs Not Used: Thompson, Taylor, Boardman.
Booked: Moore.
Darlington: Oakes, Purdie, White, Foster, Ryan, Joachim, Keltie (Ravenhill 89), Cummins, Wainwright, Blundell, Wright.
Subs Not Used: Brooks-Meade, Miller, Wiseman, Barrua.
Booked: Keltie, Ravenhill.
Att: 1,888
Ref: Paul Melin (Surrey).
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