Here we'll have a gander at my top 12 performances from this season, you're probably thinking why 12, the answer is there were so many good performances, regardless of the result that we had to expand the amount! These are in order of game date. There are plenty of video's for you to enjoy along the way !
Number Two- Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 Leyton Orient, Saturday 4th September.
Number four- Yeovil Town 1-3 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 13th November.
The Daggers got their first win on the road with a fantastic performance at Yeovil in mid November. The debut of Colchester winger Medy Elito from the bench lifted the performance whilst Will Antwi came in for the injured Scott Doe at centre half from the start. Will Antwi opened the scoring for the Daggers on 18 minutes with a powerful header from yet another great Danny Green corner. Just as it looked like the Daggers would go in ahead at the break, Yeovil equalised in injury time to alter both teams team talks. With just over 10 minutes left, Abu Ogog sent the 125 away supporters barmy as he let leash a shot into the far corner of the net. Then just 5 or so minutes later, Medy Elito broke down the right with yet another scintillating run and sealed his debut with a goal, to make it 3-1 to the Essex side and achieve one of the best performances of the season and their first away win since Darlington the season previous.
Number five- Carlisle United 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 11th December.
Number six- Hartlepool United 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 15th January.
Number seven, Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 Brentford, Tuesday 1st February.
The Daggers recorded their biggest win of the season to lift themselves off the bottom of the league and end Andy Scott's reign as Brentford boss in the process. The Daggers took the lead on 19 minutes when Jon Nurse tapped in stand in Brentford keeper Simon Royce's bundle to make it 1-0. That's how it stayed in the first half with Brentford having a couple of half chances, but Dagenham dominating. Into the second half and the Daggers went wild, a Darren Currie corner was turned into his own net by Karleigh Osborne on 56 minutes to make it 2-0 to the home side. Then came the return of Sam Saunders who got his fair of boos, but the majority welcomed him back. Just minutes after Nurse grabbed his second and the Daggers third from a Damien Scannell cross, another minute later Romain Vincelot headed home to make it 4-0 and sent Brentford fans packing. One consolation for Brentford from Charlie MacDonald didn't take the shine off of a dominant Daggers performance, one of the best home displays of the season.
Number eight- Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Huddersfield Town, Tuesday 22nd February.
The Daggers turned in a fantastic performance to frustrate promotion chasing Huddersfield at Viccy Road in one of the most entertaining games in many a year. A fast paced end to end game that really could of gone either way. A penalty claim was turned down for the Daggers in a frustrating first half in which Tom Clarke gave Huddersfield a goal lead heading into the break. The second half was manic, end to end action with not a minutes peace either end, the Daggers drawing level courtesy of a Danny Green spot kick on 58 minutes. From then on it was anyones game, Tony Roberts pulling out top class saves in between Daggers attacks. This game also saw the re-introduction of Damien McCrory in place of Femi at left back a little earlier on and Damien had a stormer. The best chance came in the final minute, a scramble in the Huddersfield box led to the ball being prodded onto the bar by Marvin Morgan from a yard, only god knows how it didn't find its way in. A fantastic performance in a fantastic game, entertainment wise it was the game of the season.
Number nine- Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Charlton Athletic, Saturday 19th March
Number eleven- Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 Dagenham & Redbridge, Tuesday 12th April
The Daggers produced a magnificent display to nearly down Gus Poyets promotion party at a packed Withdean Stadium. John Akinde scored a deflected strike on 21 seconds to give the Daggers a lead to send the 239 away supporters mad, not that the other end could hear though. Brighton hit back with a quickfire double just before the 20 minute mark to make it 2-1, some poor marking at fault for one of the goals. That's how it stayed for the rest of the half, Daggers being hard to break down and giving the top of the league side a match, much like we did back at Victoria Road 3 weeks previous. Into the second half and the game turned once more, Jon Nurse scored via another deflected strike to draw the teams level. Then just 3 minutes later, John Akinde was brought down in the area, Danny Green had the chance to give us the lead and dually delivered, 3-2 to the Daggers! It only stayed like that for 5 minutes until Liam Bridcutt scored a spectacular equaliser to draw us level once more. Barnes then headed home 10 minutes later to make it for 4-3 and despite our best efforts, were unable to find away back and Brighton were officialy promoted. This game was testament to the energy and belief & determination of the side, playing a top of the league team and given them the best game they have had this season.
Number twelve- Dagenham & Redbridge 3-0 Carlisle United, Saturday 30th April.
Number One- Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 7th August
The Daggers arrived on the league one season with a defeat, but gave a good account of themselves at Hillsborough in a game where we could have really snatched a point. The 640 away fans certainly made themselves heard, this away support set the tone for the season, with good numbers going to a lot of places. A Clinton Morrisson goal and a Scott Doe own goal sealed the Daggers fate in two first half minutes, a promising debut from Stuart Lewis and a good attacking display from Romain Vincelot were two talking points. Considering the two backgrounds from the teams it was a great performance and one that everyone could take positives from going into the rest of the season.Number Two- Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 Leyton Orient, Saturday 4th September.
Dagenham & Redbridge got their first League One victory at home to local rivals Leyton Orient to move us up out of the relegation zone. Two goals from Frenchman Romain Vincelot sealed the win against a luck lustre Orient team in front of the biggest crowd of the season so far at Viccy Road, 4195. It was also the first home game without fans favourite Paul Benson who had left for Charlton Athletic for over £200,000, a transfer that had a significant impact on the rest of the season. This performance epitomised everything about the Daggers this season, full of energy and up for the fight. Danny Green provided both goals, one from a cross and the other from a corner as you can see in the video on the right.
Number Three- Charlton Athletic 2-2 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 25th September.
In possibly one of the most frantic finales to a game in this season, we grabbed a last gasp point at the Valley. In the first half Miguel Llera had given Charlton the lead from the corner before Bas Savage earned a penalty on the stroke of half time which Danny Green smashed home to send the travelling fans into raptures. The second half however was a stark comparison to the first, with the Daggers completely dominating proceedings. However on 91 minutes, Johnnie Jackson scored to break Daggers hearts with a goal they scarcely deserved, Charlton fans believing they had one the game begun to mouth off. Then with 96 minutes on the clock, Danny Green went down the right and crossed the ball in, it fell to Jon Nurse who's dividing header found the back of Ross Worners net. The Daggers fans were sent into jubilation, three sides of the ground stunned as the other erupted, emotions running high and Jon Nurse bleeding on the floor, Dagenham & Redbridge had got a point at the Valley, one of my personal highlights of the season. Typical of The Daggers never say die attitude.Number four- Yeovil Town 1-3 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 13th November.
The Daggers got their first win on the road with a fantastic performance at Yeovil in mid November. The debut of Colchester winger Medy Elito from the bench lifted the performance whilst Will Antwi came in for the injured Scott Doe at centre half from the start. Will Antwi opened the scoring for the Daggers on 18 minutes with a powerful header from yet another great Danny Green corner. Just as it looked like the Daggers would go in ahead at the break, Yeovil equalised in injury time to alter both teams team talks. With just over 10 minutes left, Abu Ogog sent the 125 away supporters barmy as he let leash a shot into the far corner of the net. Then just 5 or so minutes later, Medy Elito broke down the right with yet another scintillating run and sealed his debut with a goal, to make it 3-1 to the Essex side and achieve one of the best performances of the season and their first away win since Darlington the season previous.
Number five- Carlisle United 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 11th December.
The longest and most gruelling away trip of the season in the arctic December conditions, rewarded the 109 travelling fans with a fantastic victory that the Daggers dominated from the start, a performance which showed why they were a league one side. The Daggers ground out the result in the last 10 minutes, something that teams have managed to do against us at Victoria Road a lot this season. Kayleden Brown sprinted down the left on 82 minutes before putting a ball into the 6 yard box with Medy Elito nipped into to convert. Danny Green wrapped up the win on 89 minutes when he took a touch just inside the box and fired into the roof of the net to seal the victory against a Carlisle side who had just beaten Sheffield Wednesday comfortably the previous week.
Number six- Hartlepool United 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge, Saturday 15th January.
Another great away victory at another far away ground that left Pools wondering how they had come away with nothing. Hartlepool largely dominated from start to finish but suffered what is called, "The Daggers effect", this is when you dominate from start to finish but concede a late goal to leave you with nothing. The goal came from Gavin Tomlin, his second of the season that was teed up by Jon Nurse, this was the last goal he would score for us before going on loan to Torquay. We ground out the result, another great performance and result, one that really got the ball rolling in the second half of the season. It was somewhat revenge from the 95th minute equaliser they gained at Viccy Road back in October, and as you can see, the 87 visiting supporters certainly enjoyed their day out. For a bit of hilarity, Jeff Stelling.
Number seven, Dagenham & Redbridge 4-1 Brentford, Tuesday 1st February.
The Daggers recorded their biggest win of the season to lift themselves off the bottom of the league and end Andy Scott's reign as Brentford boss in the process. The Daggers took the lead on 19 minutes when Jon Nurse tapped in stand in Brentford keeper Simon Royce's bundle to make it 1-0. That's how it stayed in the first half with Brentford having a couple of half chances, but Dagenham dominating. Into the second half and the Daggers went wild, a Darren Currie corner was turned into his own net by Karleigh Osborne on 56 minutes to make it 2-0 to the home side. Then came the return of Sam Saunders who got his fair of boos, but the majority welcomed him back. Just minutes after Nurse grabbed his second and the Daggers third from a Damien Scannell cross, another minute later Romain Vincelot headed home to make it 4-0 and sent Brentford fans packing. One consolation for Brentford from Charlie MacDonald didn't take the shine off of a dominant Daggers performance, one of the best home displays of the season.
Number eight- Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Huddersfield Town, Tuesday 22nd February.
The Daggers turned in a fantastic performance to frustrate promotion chasing Huddersfield at Viccy Road in one of the most entertaining games in many a year. A fast paced end to end game that really could of gone either way. A penalty claim was turned down for the Daggers in a frustrating first half in which Tom Clarke gave Huddersfield a goal lead heading into the break. The second half was manic, end to end action with not a minutes peace either end, the Daggers drawing level courtesy of a Danny Green spot kick on 58 minutes. From then on it was anyones game, Tony Roberts pulling out top class saves in between Daggers attacks. This game also saw the re-introduction of Damien McCrory in place of Femi at left back a little earlier on and Damien had a stormer. The best chance came in the final minute, a scramble in the Huddersfield box led to the ball being prodded onto the bar by Marvin Morgan from a yard, only god knows how it didn't find its way in. A fantastic performance in a fantastic game, entertainment wise it was the game of the season.
Number nine- Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Charlton Athletic, Saturday 19th March
Possibly the best victory of the season in front of 3505 spectators, a game in which we dominated from start to finish and kept us out of the relegation zone. Charlton rarely threatened and the scoreline really flatters the Addicks as the Daggers could have scored a lot more in this one. The Daggers opened the scoring on 33 minutes when Jon Nurse hit a powerful left foot shot past Ross Warner to send the home fans mad and silence the Addicks. The Daggers continued to pressure and in the second half doubled their lead, some hesitant defending from Christian Daily allowed Green to nip in and hammer home into the top corner. The Daggers let the foot off the pedal then and Charlton began to push forward slightly, their consolation in the 92nd minute when West Ham loanee Frank Nouble hammered home from all of 3 yards. Possibly the finest victory of the season and our history considering the background of the two clubs.
Number ten- Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 Notts County, Saturday 9th April.
Number ten- Dagenham & Redbridge 3-1 Notts County, Saturday 9th April.
The Daggers got back to winning ways with a resolute performance against Notts County who we condemned to their 9th straight defeat in the league. After being firmly beaten 3-0 at home by County last year, some revenge was in order and John Akinde starting his first game for us, scored the opener. A superb Danny Green cross hit in mid air found Akinde who volleyed home into the bottom corner, at as glamorous a finish as it seems, we can assure you. County were then reduced to ten men after Graeme Lee pulled down Jon Nurse as he was through on goal. The resulting free kick was spectacular, Danny Green placed the ball down and hit a rasping strike into the top far hand corner, possibly the goal of the season from the former Bishops Stortford man.
The game was effectively sealed in first half injury time, John Akinde was brought over in the box and Danny Green smashed home the resulting penalty. A great first half performance led to a sitting back kind of second half in which County pulled one back and should they have got another could have troubled the Daggers. The best first half of the season and a terrific display assured the points for John Still's men.
The game was effectively sealed in first half injury time, John Akinde was brought over in the box and Danny Green smashed home the resulting penalty. A great first half performance led to a sitting back kind of second half in which County pulled one back and should they have got another could have troubled the Daggers. The best first half of the season and a terrific display assured the points for John Still's men.
Number eleven- Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 Dagenham & Redbridge, Tuesday 12th April
The Daggers produced a magnificent display to nearly down Gus Poyets promotion party at a packed Withdean Stadium. John Akinde scored a deflected strike on 21 seconds to give the Daggers a lead to send the 239 away supporters mad, not that the other end could hear though. Brighton hit back with a quickfire double just before the 20 minute mark to make it 2-1, some poor marking at fault for one of the goals. That's how it stayed for the rest of the half, Daggers being hard to break down and giving the top of the league side a match, much like we did back at Victoria Road 3 weeks previous. Into the second half and the game turned once more, Jon Nurse scored via another deflected strike to draw the teams level. Then just 3 minutes later, John Akinde was brought down in the area, Danny Green had the chance to give us the lead and dually delivered, 3-2 to the Daggers! It only stayed like that for 5 minutes until Liam Bridcutt scored a spectacular equaliser to draw us level once more. Barnes then headed home 10 minutes later to make it for 4-3 and despite our best efforts, were unable to find away back and Brighton were officialy promoted. This game was testament to the energy and belief & determination of the side, playing a top of the league team and given them the best game they have had this season.
Number twelve- Dagenham & Redbridge 3-0 Carlisle United, Saturday 30th April.
The final home game of the season and the Daggers ended it in style with a comfortable 3-0 win over a Carlisle side who had done their bit in the season by winning the JPT. A confident Daggers performance started when John Akinde was yet again bundled over in the box by Lubo Michalik, Danny Green stepped up once more and his spot kick was saved, Jon Nurse however was there to tap in the rebound on 4 minutes. Nurse then doubled the lead on 29 minutes with a tap in once more after Akinde's shot was saved, he was in for a Dirk Kuyt hat trick ! That's how it stayed at half time, with numerous more chances coming, if the Daggers were more ruthless it could have been 4 or 5 already. The Daggers sat back slightly in the second half but Carlisle rarely threatened and Danny Green rounded off the win with a lovely strike on 84 minutes, before being sent off a few minutes later for a rash challenge.
The final home game was a brilliant one, the Daggers running the show and if it wasn't for a tonne of missed chances it would have been a lot more.
The final home game was a brilliant one, the Daggers running the show and if it wasn't for a tonne of missed chances it would have been a lot more.
What a season it has been, it's only fair that we done 12, although it could have been a lot more than that. I hope you enjoyed the games I pick and it brought back some memories, one or two more new blogs to come over the coming weeks as well as the fan interviews. Thanks for reading !
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