Easter Friday saw me travel to Chigwell Construction Stadium. As Dagenham & Redbridge hosted Barnet, in the National league. Going into the game the visitors were still searching for safety from the drop. Whilst their host had sights set on the playoffs, which could still be achieved. This fixture playing a significant role in the outcome.
Starting the match was a foul on Junior Morias. Winning his team an early free kick, leading to a corner. The first shot of the afternoon falling to Manny Onariase. Barnet clearing danger on five minutes. Finding himself up the pitch again, Junior Morias was fouled for a second time. Jordan Thomas the culprit. Who received a yellow card moments later when he brought down Vilhete. Handing the host an opportunity, which they saw go narrowly wide. However, within three minutes Dagenham had broken the deadlock. Getting on the scoresheet, Junior Morias put his attempt away on fourteen minutes. Having carried the ball up the pitch, before discovering the bottom corner of the net. Quickly replying Barnet bust away at the other end. A brilliant save keeping them out. Doubling his tally ten minutes later, Dagenham added a second through Morias. Identical to his opening effort. In under sixty seconds, the player completed his hattrick. Firing a cross goal shot in at the far post. Taking the score line up to a three-goal margin after twenty-six minutes. Heading just over, the home side came close to a fourth. McCallum connecting with a Will Wright cross. Soon after Dagenham had another. Driving past his defender, Weston put in a cross. Confidently meeting the ball Paul McCallum converted inside the area. Turning from provider to score. Myles Weston added a fifth a minute into injury time. Smacking his shot past the helpless keeper, with power and pace.
When play resumed, it was the host who restarted the action. Coming close to scoring through Mauro Vilhete on forty-seven minutes. But it was Barnet who had the proceeding chance. Pulling them back into the game, Daniel Powell caught the daggers back line off-guard. Sliding in a simple shot. Shortly followed by his second of the tie, as he netted on fifty-five minutes. Trying to maintain a hold on the fixture Weston went past his marker. Sending a cross into the box, as he looked for contact by McCallum. Gathering well Jake Askew caught the host next go at goal. Against all the odds, Barnet had a third. Being recorded as an own goal after confusion inside the box. Seeing the total goals for this match hit eight. Twenty-six minutes left to play. After an outstanding performance Myles Weston made his way off the pitch, being replaced by Sam Ling. Applause surrounding as he approached the bench. Scoring continued on eighty-four minutes, hitting home this time was Matt Robinson. Following a determined drive forward by Josh Walker. Allowing him to set the pass across, enabling an easy finish. As the game drew to a close spectators were stunned. From a ridiculous angle, Wrights free kick almost making its way in. But the final goal of the game came on ninety minutes. When McCallum headed home, perfectly placed to reach a Will Wright free kick. Becoming the third player today to reach two scored.
In conclusion this bank holiday battle proved to be one sided. Dagenham putting on a master class in the first forty-five minutes, before a temporary blip handed their opponents a life line. A late resurgence assuring the victory.
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