Huddersfield 2-1 Daggers: Hanging On

Dagenham & Redbridge succumbed to yet another defeat, this time to promotion chasing Huddersfield Town by two goals to one, but this game wasn't a walkover by any means.

The day started with an 8:30 start from Victoria Road, where two coaches awaited to take around 100 Daggers to Yorkshire and back. Everyone got on board and by 8:35 we were on our way up North, the DVD is usually a key point of a long coach road, and as per usual Swallow performed greatly again in these stakes, with the TV on board not working. Top marks there then. The first couple of hours passed quite quickly with a little bit of music and such, until we reached Leicester I think it was, where we had a service break and everyone had the chance to stock up and get some food. A 50 minute stop meant there was time for some McDonald's, or a big breakfast if you fancied it, to be honest that went rather quickly and by 11:25 we were all back on board once more and set off again for Yorkshire. No major things to report on the rest of the journey in all honesty, just a normal coach journey with Dagenham, what more can you say ?

We arrived at the Galpharm for about 13:25 I'd make it, where everyone went there own ways. The local pub called "The Gaswork" or something like that, I'm probably miles off, was the pub of choice, whilst some people chose to saunter into the ground or around it. We ended up going to the pub where we then found a mile long queue and that you had to pay admission to get in, so we spun around and set back off in the direction we started, walking back to the ground. Walking over the bridge and threw the Hudds car park the northern accent was becoming ever clearer and when we got to just outside the ground we were greeted with the locals, who you cannot understand. Getting into the ground we bought a programme which was of a good standard, looked like a book and at £3 is in line with most others in the division. However the most disappointing aspect of the day was the fact that the Huddersfield burger bar, did not in fact sell burgers or hot dogs, just pies and crisps, typical northern food eh ? With kick off getting ever near we picked our seats just behind the drum at the back, we were told that we would have to sit, but the stewards were pretty lenient and luckily that rule didn't apply. All four sides of the ground were now filling up to the magnificent arena which had a Bolton like feel to it. Just afterwards the team was read out and it showed two main changes from the Plymouth defeat, Will Antwi was in for Scott Doe who injured himself on Friday and in an unforced change, Billy Bingham replaced Darren Currie.



Rhodes for Hudds

 The teams came out to a good atmosphere, all of which came from the Pink Link Stand, one part was for the Daggers, the other Terriers, this group of home supporters were the noisy not so nice ones if you want to put it like that. The teams lined up and all the usual stuff was done, pictures, coin toss etc, it ended up with Huddersfield attacking the Pink Line End and Dag & Red attacking the opposite end. The opening minutes were spent in the middle of the park, Dagenham getting the first shot away, a neat piece of play ended up with Green chesting it down on the left and volleying a strike that went just over the bar. Unfortunately though it was the team from Yorkshire that opened the scoring. A long ball lumped forward from their captain Peter Clarke was being shepherded out of play by Antwi until he let his guard down. Dagenham lad Benik Afobe snuck behind the big centre back to nick the ball and play it to Jordan Rhodes who was standing on the 6 yard box, waiting graciously to smash it into the back of the net, placed well in between the post and two Daggers defenders on the line. Just after the kick off Afobe cut inside down the right and his low left footed shot was comfortably saved by Tony Roberts in the goal. One of the main problems in the first half was the kicking of Roberts. Not going to anyone or going out of play, it was pretty poor one of the worst we've seen this season. Just after that there was a lengthy stop for an injury to a Town player, Jon Nurse caught him with his boots after the Hudds player went into head the ball.



Romain Drew Us Level.

 Just afterwards came the Daggers first goal of the game. A neat piece of build up in the midfield led to a lovely one two around a Huddersfield player just outside the box. Romain Vincelot laid the ball off to John Akinde, whilst Vincelot continued his run, Akinde placed the perfect ball back to the midfielder who smashed him post Bennett in the goal who could only get finger tips to it, to make it look even better. The 125 away fans were sent into raptures, some of whom couldn't believe we'd equalised I don't think, but we had, and we were now looking to push on from it. However just four minutes later, the lead was restored. Gary Naysmith swung a cross in, which was initially cleared by the defence, but when Gary Roberts tried again from slightly further back, his point perfect cross found the head of Jordan Rhodes who had eluded Mark Arber to head home just underneath Robbo. The Daggers were again silenced as Huddersfield erupted, it was now looking like an uphill task once more. During the injury time of the first half, Danny Green thought he should have had a penalty, he appeared to be tripped by Gary Naysmith inside the box, but referee Eddie Ilderton waved it away as Huddersfield looked to mount a break away. Jordan Rhodes clipped a fine long ball over the top of Arber that found Afobe, who couldn't hit it sweetly and it fell into the arms of Roberts.

As the half time whistle blew, the Daggers could feel rather confident of still getting something from the game, Huddersfield hadn't really torn us apart and at the same time we showed glimpses of what we were capable of going forward. The half time at Huddersfield isn't really top notch. With no scores being read out and a couple of parades going round the pitch there was nothing of note, not even the cheerleaders came our away. Hearing that most scores were going against us did not help to lighten the mood, although with Bristol Rovers going down to ten men it gave us a spark that Bournemouth may get back into it at Dean Court. The only major entertainment was when the Huddersfield fans started chanting to Robbo about KFC, good banter that had everyone smiling, even Robbo himself I'd bet.



Bennett was in fine form



The teams emerged once more for the second half, both looking to score, one to consolidate the lead, the other to get that equaliser that would see a precious point. The half opened with Huddersfield making the first attack, Scott Arfield's effort was saved well by Roberts in goal. Just afterwards Huddersfield showed more intent and only a smart interception from Femi made sure the danger was cleared once more, Mark Arber then denied Afobe a header on goal after a good clearance. Then the Daggers started to take over and begun to dominate the game, Firstly a good ball over the top was just a little to far ahead of Vincelot who couldn't prevent it going from a goal kick in front of the Pink Link. Up the other end a good ball in found Jack Hunt who's shot was well blocked by Peter Gain who was having his best game in quite a while. Then came our first golden chance, a great ball whipped in from the left found John Akinde, unmarked with just Bennett in the goal to beat, the ball glanced off his head and past the post, an opportunity that he really should have done better with. This of course was a head in hands moment for all of us. Peter Gain then had a shot that was saved by Bennett as it became all Dagenham.



Akinde should have made it 2-2



With about 20 minutes to go, John Still made a change, Danny J Green who looked impressive against Plymouth on Friday afternoon came on to replace Billy Bingham who had a fairly decent game as we switched to a 4-4-2 formation in hope of that precious equaliser. Shortly after it nearly and perhaps should have came. A ball in the air was superbly nodded on by DJ Green that released front man Akinde. After taking a touch his prod at goal found it's way rolling slowly until it hit the outside of the post, cue the "ahhs" and cried from Daggers fans. But it wasn't over yet, a scramble between Akinde & Bennett ended up with Akinde taking another shot at a tight angle, about 5 yards from goal that was surely going to make the game 2-2, but no! Bennett made another save to push the ball out for the corner, the away fans had heads in their hands, after these two brilliant chances, everyone realised that perhaps it wasn't to be our day. A penalty box scramble from a corner almost found the ball go into the net, but alas it didn't and was once again cleared. The last two changes for the Daggers were made, Bas Savage replacing Jon Nurse and Darren Currie coming on for Femi who had shown his £175 a week wage in this game, another poor performance from him. Savage then looked like he could create something, after being given the ball he had space to run into, but after about 6 or 7 strides he was ushered off the ball as Huddersfield looked to counter down the right.



Peter Gain was brilliant yesterday

 Straight after the sub, the goal nearly came. Peter Gain who averages a goal once every 7 years or so nearly found a way to get the equaliser. On the outside of the box, his ferocious left footed strike went just wide of Bennett's post, needless to say everyone thought it was in, so when it went wide, a tremendous amount of groaning occurred. Once more everyone thought we'd found a way through. A cross come shot from Danny Green, the one on the right was going into the top corner until a superb tip over from Bennett denied him and forced the corner as the game pushed on into injury time. Other results were coming through as well, frowns turned to slight smiles as we learnt Rovers had throw away their lead and were losing 2-1, Walsall were now drawing as well, it wasn't as bad as it all seemed. The four minutes of injury time went up, it was all Dagenham now, corner after corner, cross after cross, but no way through the stern Huddersfield defence. The last chance fell to Danny J Green, a good knock down from Arber inside the Terriers area allowed Danny J to fire it with power goalwards, but he scuffed his shot and it went out tamely for a goal kick. That proved to be the last action of the game, as the Daggers looked to mount another attack from the centre circle, referee Eddie Ilderton blew up for full time.

After that second half performance you have to be proud of us, after all we pushed the team that are one of the favourites for promotion and on a 23 game unbeaten run all the way and if not for a couple of squandered chances it could have been a different scoreline. They all looked like "Daggers" out there today, fighting for the cause, not giving up on anything, Peter Gain especially looked up for it, raring to go, along with Vincelot who's superb strike took his tally to 12 I think it is now this season.

Coming out of the ground however, a bit of trouble ensued. With several Daggers supporters being surrounded by loutish Huddersfield ones and even a rock being thrown in the direction of our supporters, that clipped someone on the head. It somewhat marred a good game, even more frustrating when the stewards refused to do anything about it. None the less, we all got back on the coaches and set off back for the long trip back to Essex with nothing to show for our travels once more, bar a good performance. It passed quite quickly, a half hour stop off at Peterborough services for a bite to eat and drink broke up the journey well, where we encountered some other fans, Gillingham, Leeds & an Exeter supporter. All aboard the coach again for the final leg and we arrived back at Victoria Road at about 9:50 I think, I can't quite remember off hand.



Crunch Game

A good game and it's really same old for the Daggers, if we were to finish our golden chances and we wouldn't be in this position. We now go on to a crucial home match against Carlisle on Saturday where nothing less than a win will do, should Walsall win and we lose I think that it may see us relegated, so it isn't even in our hands anymore. However I'm quietly confident that we can pull off an escape, but with 4 teams all pushing for one survival spot, it's anyones guess who it will ultimately go to.
Next Match: Dagenham & Redbridge vs Carlisle United, 30th April 2011, 15:00 Kick Off.
Final Match: Peterborough United vs Dagenham & Redbridge, 7th May 2011, 15:00 Kick Off.



As it stands

Click Here For John Still Interview With BBC Essex

Daggers 1-1 Huddersfield: The Great Escape Is On

The Daggers claimed a great home point against promotion playing Huddersfield in one of the most entertaining games at Victoria Road in the last few seasons.

As always we start as I walk up Victoria Road, once again quietly confident of a result here, with Huddersfield having drawn their last two and us having won our last two at home, as reflected in my prediction. Walking into the car park we was approached by my old friends, the interviewers from winkball, who still don't get the fact that I do not wish to be interviewed, I just want to get into the poxy ground ! Through the turnstiles and paid for my chips and a coke, settling into my seat as "pulse" come out and dance, seemingly dropping a member every home game now, we're down to five ! The team news came over and hearing Jordan Rhodes on the bench was a real boost, but then hearing Femi was once again starting for us deflated me, considering his recent form has been poor and the Terriers were liable to tear him apart.





Dami Mc, Has Come Back !



The game started with Huddersfield having the first "attack" that didn't come to anything. Then about two minutes in, possibly the most controversial incident of the game; Danny Green swung a ball in, Vincelot got a firm header on it, but it cannoned off of a Huddersfield plays hand. This was the most blatant penalty I have seen out of the what seems like hundreds that haven't been given against us this season, but it went out for a corner instead, to the disgrace of the home fans. For the next ten minutes each side had equal shares of possession and equal chances, Tony Roberts making a fantastic save to deny a town player and Mark Arbers header going just over the bar. A corner came in from Huddersfield which was cleared to the the edge of the Dag & Red "D" Scott Doe went to challenge and got absolutely kyboshed by a Huddersfield player, laid out flat on the deck. A terrible foul, made worse by the fact he didn't get the ball, what looked a nasty injury at first turned out to be not so bad and Doe continued to play on like the Essex warrior he is. Just previous to this, former Everton striker Danny Cademarteri danced his way past about four Daggers players, only being denied at the last by an excellent Roberts save, who put it out for a corner. Just after, they scored, Tom Clarke netting from inside the Daggers 6 yard box with the aid of a deflection or so into the far corner of the net. Just before the next part was one of the strangest things I've seen at Victoria Road, a drop ball was given inside the Huddersfield 6 yard box, needless to say, nothing came of it. Then came possibly the biggest cheer of the night, the out of form Femi substituted to the delight of the 1700 or so Daggers, replaced by fans favourite Damien McCrory who got a fantastic reception and dually had a great game. Just after Danny Green had a shot from outside of the area, that just went wide of the target, then a barage of free kicks for both teams as the first half peetered out; the last parts of the action were shots from Savage & Cademarteri that were both blocked.  The best thing about the first half ? When the lino gave offside and an old bloke in the Carling Stand shouted, "make sure you give it next time or I'll stick that flag up your arse sideways." Only at Dagenham, only at Dagenham.

The referee blew for half time with myself quite confident of the second half, with the Daggers showing more than enough to warrant a point out of the game and possibly even more. The half times were read out and results were going our way with Tranmere & Plymouth both losing. Then it was 50/50 time, first three numbers were correct, we just needed the last one, and yes you guessed it, I didn't get it. It was 3 numbers off, ahh well, at least Spurs were losing to the announcers displeasure. As i took a sip of my tea, which you could probably stand a spoon up in Huddersfield emerged from the tunnel under the MJ stand, later followed by the Daggers who took plenty of time.



Green scored the Penalty



A comical start to the second half, with the Daggers having to kick off three times due to Huddersfield players running towards the ball before it was even kicked, cue ironical crowd cheers. The Daggers were fired up, spurred on by a half time team talk seemingly. We came out all guns blazing with Green delivering some fantastic balls into the box. The best actually came from Nurse i believe, who whipped one in right on the 6 yard box, but to our disbelief no one could get on the end of it, Vincelot chased it and ended up in the wall by the sieve. The Daggers onslaught continued with numerous shots and crosses, but to no avail. On 53 minutes, Huddersfield had thought they'd doubled their lead, a good ball through was latched onto by Gary Roberts, whose left footed shot smashed off the post and was cleared by Mark Arber. Straight up the other end, Solomon Taiwo had a fierce shot from outside of the area, that went wide. Then came the moment. After such a long time it seemed, the Daggers won a penalty at home. A ball was swung in, then hit Lee Peltier on the hand and the linesman put his flag up. PENALTY. Despite continued protests by the terriers players, Green put the ball on the spot and hammered in an unstoppable penalty, straight down the middle of the goal that lifted the roof off of Victoria Road. The Daggers continued to press for the next 10-15 minutes, with Vincelot, Nurse & Green all coming close for the Daggers, Vincelot firing in, but missing. Then came a double sub, Dagenham lad Afobe on for Cademarteri and Marvin Morgan on for Bas Savage for us. Then another onslaught of corners from the Daggers, with Mark Arber close to turning one in after a swivel and shot that went over the bar. Jordan Rhodes came on for Huddersfield as they had a corner which was cleared to safety, the Daggers then went up the other end and got a corner of their own which came to nothing.  Then an amazing bit of play from the Daggers, Ogogo playing the ball foward to Currie, who took a sublime touch and completely mugged off a terriers player, only for the cross to go straight down Ian Bennetts throat. Before I go on, I think this proves that Currie & Green can play in the same team, they combined well tonight and I would definately like to see more of it in the future at home anyways. Back to the action, a ball swung in by the Terriers, which Jordan Rhodes got his head to, what looked like an unstoppable header into the back of the net was superbly tipped over by veteran Roberts who saved the day once again. My heart was in my throat by this point.

The last five minutes were a joy to watch, if not extremely nerve racking. A Daggers corner was cleared away upfield with Huddersfield looking good money to score, but step forward Solomon Taiwo who took one for the team, with Huddersfield racing away he committed a very smart foul, tackling the player with no intention of getting the ball, but getting a yellow card. If it weren't for him there, I doubt the scores would have stayed the same. The free kick led to a Huddersfield corner, which was once again whipped in delightfully, but didn't find it's way into the net from a scramble in the box. The ball went upfield for the last time, towards the Carling Stand Marvin Morgan got a free kick for having his shirt pulled. This was last chance saloon for the Daggers. The ball was swung in by Green and about five players went for the ball at the far post, as it was booted upwards it hit the bar, the last action of the game. How unlucky that was, was incredible, but at the end of the day, it was a deserved share of the spoils against a very good Huddersfield team, that won't particularly enjoy the trip up to Yorkshire, then again not many teams do from that part when we play them down here. Final Score, Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Huddersfield Town



Robbo once again in fine form.



The result was a fair indication of the game, with that being one of the most entertaining games at Victoria Road that I've seen in years. Both sides had chances to win and this result will benefit the Daggers more than the Terriers. The Daggers are now 2 points from safety and still with three games in hand on some teams, it looks increasingly possible that we can do the great escape and prove everyone, including some of our own fans wrong. With Tony Roberts continuing to be in stunning form recently this result will have spurred the lads on considerably. My man of the match is once again Roberts, although i thought Green had an exceptional game tonight.

Ratings: Roberts 9, Doe 8, Arber 7, Femi 5, Ogogo 7, Vincelot 7, Green 8, Currie 7, Taiwo 7, Nurse 8, Savage 6. Subs: McCrory 7, Morgan 6.

Attendance: 2336

Next Up: Daggers vs AFC Bournemouth on Saturday.

Come On You Daggers. I Believe !!!!