Match Report
Another away game for the Daggers in the Johnstones Paint trophy and this time we make another long trip to the Orient. Sadly despite the short distance travelled we appeared to go back in time to the issues that faced clubs in the late 80's - namely incompetent staff at an incompetent club not being able to get under 800 people into a football ground. This is the reason why this match report will only cover minutes 10 -90 and not the full game.
For some reason the game I watched didn't kick off and just started in the Daggers half (I was later informed that it had kicked off normally but the ticketing issues had led to me missing this). Before the arrival of most fans Orient allegedly should have scored when Melligan managed to squander a chance with the open goal mouth begging to be hit. The early pressure from Orient continued with Saah missing the target with a poor header and Gray having a shot comfortably saved by Robbo. The Daggers then got a foothold in the game with some sensible simple football from new midfield general Soloman Taiwo as well as an assured display by the usual Daggers faces. The away side came close to silencing the Orient fans - oh actually, make that - the silent Orient fans were almost embarrassed by League 2 class as the first half continued with Strevens hitting the upright from a Jamie Taylor lay-back.
Despite the absence of top early season performer Sam Saunders the best Daggers chances in the first half all stemmed from good work down the flanks and both Southam and Boardman saw headers go over from crosses. Very late on Rains should really have scored with a free header but saw his effort cleared off the line by Palmer. Orient had a couple of late chances to score in the half including a 1-on-1 but Robbo was alert to the danger and did enough to keep the score 0-0 at half time.
The second half saw the Daggers looking reasonably unflappable at the back with both Stan and Smith being able to outmuscle the quick lads up top for Orient. Ibehre did manage to run clear briefly but the covering defenders were able to push him wide enough to ensure his strike was off target when it eventually came. The real chances of the half were all Dagenham. Morris had to make several saves from Southam, Sloma, Strevens and 'man to watch' Jamie Taylor. A good cup tie scramble midway through the half produced 3 saves from the keeper as Southam couldn't get the ball out from under his feet when well placed to open the scoring.
Despite the 'rent-a-nob' abuse for Strevens his continued running into the channels eventually produced the games only goal. A run out to the right saw him receive the ball and after controlling and running slightly infield he produced a finish that has divided the Upminster Daggers opinions. His 'shot' rising over Morris, striking the inside of the post before nestling in the back of the net - 1-0 Daggers. Middle insists Strevens looked up, saw the chance and shot but Stew uttered various obscenities to the contrary.
Following the goal the game largely settled down, which was good for the O's fans as most of them would have missed anything else on their walk back to the station. There was one last chance for the O's which, fortunately for the Daggers, fell to a man most of us would rate as one of the least clinical finishers in world football - former Dagger Paul 'Brother of John' Terry. A header was aiming goalwards when PT appeared to clear over the Daggers bar from a good 3 yards out - you never lose class!
As the final whistle went there was just time to laugh at the O's some more and for Robbo to wind up the last remaining fans before getting ready for Saturdays draw.
| 
