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Halstead Town

1

 Daley

Essex Senior Cup

Tuesday 30th October 2007 

Dagenham progressed into the 4th round of the Essex Senior Cup with a 3-1 win at Eastern League Halstead on a chilly Tuesday night.

Dagenham named a pretty strong side for the game and included Paul Benson, Jon Boardman, Solomon Taiwo and Dominic Green from Saturday's squad for the game against Rotherham.

The game started at a lively pace, but chances were at a premium early on.  Dominic Green looked lively for Dagenham but it wasn't until 25 minutes in that the first real chance came about.  A cross from the Dagenham left was spilt by home keeper Rutherford, a dead ringer for Micky from Eastenders, but Tommy Tejan-Sie could not squeeze home either of his two efforts from close range.  Rutherford saved well from Jamie Taylor's effort from 10 yards out and then Paul Benson volleyed wide from Green's cross-shot.

At the other end Halstead had their moments.  Chris Bryan fired wide after finding himself in space 12 yards out, before Paul Abrahams' snap shot was palmed away well by Ed Thompson.  Taylor had a header well held by Rutherford before he teams headed into the
break at 0-0.

Into the second half and as the game opened up it was Football League side who started to get on top.  Paul Benson had an effort hacked off the line, before Taylor's header was parried away by Rutherford.  But the breakthrough soon came.  Dominic Green's corners
had looked dangerous all night, and from one of these John Boardman climbed highest and his downward header could not be kept out and Dagenham led.  Green and Anthony Cook were looking lively on the flanks for the visitors, but suddenly against the run of play Halstead were back in the game.  A ball over the top found Abrahams and as he looked to go round Thompson, he was fouled by the Dagenham keeper and a penalty was awarded.  The low quality referee could not wait to send off Thompson and so Billy Lepine had to come off the bench to take his place in goal.  His first, and it turned out his only, job was to pick the ball out of the net as Steve Daly tucked away the penalty.  The sending off helped to open the game up though, and it was the Daggers superior skill and fitness which took control. Soon after Green produced another cross from the left, Rutherford could not gather and Tejan-Sie fired home from 10 yards.  It was all Dagenham now.  Benson headed wide from a high Patterson cross and Taylor headed straight at Rutherford from Green's delivery.  The game was settled with only a few minutes remaining.  Green's corner found Paul Benson at the near post and his flick header beat Rutherford to make it 3-1, and seal the tie.
 

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