After more than three months away, competitive action returned to RH4 with the visit of Dagenham and Redbridge. We had recruited a few new faces across the window, including two signings on the morning of the fixture: the arrival of Jonathon Page on a free transfer and Charlton Athletic’s U21 Captain Josh Laqeratabua on loan.
The visitors have had a busy window of their own, with the arrival of new manager Lee Allison, and a host of fresh faces in the Daggers’ dressing room. It had set up an exciting curtain raiser on the opening weekend of the Enterprise National League South season.
It took only two minutes for the visitors to deal the first blow of the afternoon. Kayden Harrack was afforded too much space 25 yards from goal, and he was able to tee up an effort from distance which, with a marginal deflection off Harry Beautyman, was able to drill its way past Glenn Morris. 2’ 0-1
We began to put the opening minutes aside and had their first real sight at goal 10 minutes into proceedings. James McShane was able to poke the ball through to Harry Forster, charging down the left flank. The latter was able to cut inside and bend a shot towards goal, which flew just over the crossbar.
Just five minutes later, some more expert build-up play led to another Wanderers’ chance. Frank Vincent delivered the ball to Alfie Rutherford, whose flick teed up McShane to hit it on the volley from the edge. Again, the effort fell just wide of the target.
It was one-way traffic as far as the Wanderers were concerned as the half began to finish. Dan Pybus found his way into the penalty area, and he was able to unleash an effort on target, only to be met by Nathan Ashmore at the near post, before Josh Barrett had two efforts blocked by a fearless Daggers back line.
In stoppage time, Dagenham came close to having the dream end to the first period. Both Kane Crichlow and Harry Beautyman were able to have snap shots from close range; however, neither were able to add the killer blow to the Wanderers’ as the referee drew a close to the first half.
HALF TIME: Dorking Wanderers 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
We started the second 45 as we finished the first, asserting pressure onto the visitors. Jack Wood found space down the left and drove a low cross into the box which met Harry Forster sliding in at the near post; however, he was unable to turn the ball home.
Not long after this, the Daggers’ life was made even harder, after an off-the-ball incident between Louie Annesley and Andy Carroll saw the former Newcastle and Reading striker lash out at the Wanderers’ centre-half, resulting in a red card and a dismissal for the Daggers’ front man.
The extra-man advantage was playing its part in the hosts’ upkeep of pressure. The two early second-half substitutes combined when Dennon Lewis floated an inch-perfect ball to the head of Nikaj, who was unable to steer the header on target.
The best Dagenham chance of the second half was created by Archie Tamplin, who was able to skip his way through the red and white shirts on the left-hand side. He fired a shot from a tight angle; however, the chance sailed across the face of the goal, not troubling Glenn Morris between the sticks.
Heading into injury time, Lewis and Nikaj were able to combine once more. The winger’s fierce delivery was met by the head of Nikaj, who could only see his header sail over the crossbar. Moments later, with minutes to play, Charlie Sayers swung in an identical cross to George Francomb; however, he also steered his header inches over.
FULL TIME: Dorking Wanderers 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
In the end, the goal in the opening two minutes provided decisive and the East London side came away with all three points on opening day. Next up for the Wanderers is a trip to Berkshire to face Maidenhead United in the Enterprise National League South.