Yes!!!!!! Come on Yellows!!

[YELLOW]

My first report of the new year and it's in celebratory mood!!

 

An epic encounter very similar to the one of 5 years ago. On that day we triumphed over Daggers 3-1 who were then leading the division.

 

Today we won thanks to a mixture of grit, determination, skill and real team spirit.

 

Daggers had the first chance after a few minutes when Chris Moore rounded Danny but his effort was cleared off the line. We then scored two goals in quick succession. Greggors volleyed home after a scramble in the area and then after a superb Jon Keeling cross, Greg Pearson saw his header saved. The rebound fell kindly to Ollie to smash home with glee. All this after 8 minutes!!

 

Dagger started though to get into gear. Dave Theobald smashed an effort just wide but Chris Moore was starting to look a real threat. A great cross from him was side footed wide by Mackail Smith and thern he skinned Dave Mcghee to put in a decent cross that Danny read superbly to gather.

 

Despite Daggers' pressure we defended well although rather desperately at times and we did get the ball in the net again but it was dissallowed for offside.

 

We reached half time with the score at 2-0 but most of us expected a real Daggers onslaught in the second half.

 

It didn't come and suddenly we started picking up all the loose balls and began dominating play. Dave Theobald should have scored heading wide from a Keeling free kick. Greg Pearson was starting to cause havoc with his pace and strength and suddenly we were winning corners and free kicks in decent positions.

 

The third goal eventually came and what a goal it was. Greggors sent a superb flick out to Duffers overlapping on the left. As he cut in we all expected him to shoot but he laid the ball back to Midgley who calmly stroked the ball home. It sent the Yellow Army into raptures and I immediately broke my New Year's resolution of to stop swearing at football matches as the air was littered with "fcking brilliant goal!"

 

It seemed all over at 3-0 up. Jon Keeling burst through but Lee Goodwin made a great tackle injuring himself in the process. Ollie had a free kick saved as we threatened to run riot but the introduction of Mark Janney seemed to inject some urgency into Daggers play.

 

They still looked a threat and when with 13 minutes to go a shot from outside the box took a cruel deflection off Dom Sterling and into the net there were a few worried faces.

 

That turned to sheer panic when Jake Leberl headed home 90 seconds later for 3-2. The watch was going extremely slowly now!!!

 

Luckily we regained our composure. We won a corner that Dave Mcghee headed towards goal. The effort was blocked and in the scramble substitute Junior McDougald nudged the ball home.

 

The relief was audible and we played out the last 10 minutes on the break with the pace of Jonnie Keeling threatening to get a fifth.

 

A superb victory and very hard to pick out individuals. Greggors got match of the match and was excellent but for me Greg Pearson was outstanding. His strength and pace caused so many problems and he often won free kicks and corners just from his sheer physical precense.

 

Ollie was superb in midfield, as was Keeling and Sedgy. Dave Theobald was strong at the back and Dom came back in and did well. I felt Macca got done on some occasions but he got away with it.

 

A much needed three points and now the next couple of games seem winnable!!

[Guest]

Just one correction to that, it wasn't a header that Pearson had saved in the build up to your second, he punched the ball.

I though he was lucky to make it half time after tumbling theatrically in the penalty area having already got himself booked for kicking the ball away.

 

Could have been so different if Moore had scored first.

[Guest]

Adrian, congratulations on the first of (I expect) many biased comments.

 

We were on form today, which has been pretty rare this season, and you're just pissed off you were on the other side of it.

 

Gutted! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[A Non E Mouse]

Quote:

Adrian, congratulations on the first of (I expect) many biased comments.

 

At least he has an opinion and has commented on the game, although limited, and not started on the normal cr*p that others come out with when they are suprised that they didn't get a result at the Lane.

 

As you say "first of many", poor ground, no fans, sh*t pitch, biased ref, diving players, no toilets, strong wind comments but no "you played well - it was an exciting game and in the end you deserved the points" <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

3 deserved points.. great performance and some good footy in places.. letting in 2 quick goals just as it was 'relaxing time' certainly got things warmed up, but we always looked good for at least one more with the wind behind us in the second half.. with form and confidence returning i reckon we can do well enough against the mid table conf teams to get safely away from any relegation dogfight.. looking at the recent form of both teams im sure most of us would have been happy with a point... also nice for ollie and junior to score and for keeling to have a great game.. pearson looks to be turning in to a handful as he gets used to our style of play

[Guest]

A well deserved win - it has been comming for a couple of weeks now.

 

I am a bit surprised at all the praise for Pearson who is not physically strong enough and had a very poor first half. Junior is a far better player.For me Ollie was easily man of the match. Good also to see Sterling back on form.

[A Non E Mouse]

Good report Yellow and first of many I hope for 2005 - especially with the "up-beat" tone <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

 

Exciting game and after all the previous posts of "we were so close" and "deserved all 3 points" - it all clicked into place today.

 

You could see why the Daggers have got some good results this season taking opportunities on the break - but some of the service today to their front players wasn't so good - they did get that ball into and across our box a little to often for my liking, but it was generally overstruck or to close to the goal with no one able to get to the line quick enough to get a touch on it.

 

Can't comment on the Dagenham supporters comment on Pearson - wrong end of the ground and thats the problem with segregation. However, he showed a lot of pace and some fine skill today and the only blot on his record was kicking the ball away and getting booked by a particularly picky ref. You'd think players would learn.

 

Did think that the Daggers would come out strong in the second half, but it didn't really materialise. They did seem to step up a gear after the substitutions and goals went in. Hope their defender is not to badly injured - Cole - an excellent challenge on Keeling in the box (wonder if Chenners was watching and saw how it was done <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />)

 

I hope we don't get to many Daggers fans on here with the usual comments of " we were poor today" and "worst we've played all season" - I don't think the Daggers were that poor a side, we actually played very well, created a lot of chances and caused them to have a bad day. Keeling really did cover some ground today and caused Daggers lots of problems. This was aided by a lot of good off the ball movement and support by other players including Greggors, Duffy, Pearson etc.

 

Don't think Daggers will play like this in the re-arranged game - Sure John Still won't allow it - perhaps that training session on Boxing Day knackered them out?? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />.

 

Great team performance today and a good chance of getting something at Morecambe next week - apart from a cold.

[Andy the Marsh Rat]

I couldn,t make the game today,but I did hear it on the radio,and Adrian is right,it seems that Greg Pearson did handle the ball(the Essex radio presenters saw a digital photo at half time)But there you go sometimes these things go for you and sometimes against.Thats football!!

[A Non E Mouse]

Could have done with a few of the other results today going our way - still, keeps it interesting doesn't it?

[Fleet fan]

well done lads is boylan back then?

[Guest]

Boylan came on for 5 minutes and looked OK, maybe greg Pearson did handle it but then they got a free kick when one of their players dived and

Roberts was mugged by Ollie and he pushed him in the back so we could have had a pen.

 

Did anyone see Ollie and Keeling fighting over the vall when we had a free kick, talk about spirit.

 

Really rated Ollie when he first came did not rate him most of the season. Since Boylan has been out he really has grown, it was really good watching him pulling Pearson over before a corner and whispering in his ears telling him how to confuse the keeper. A potential captain, for me though top man today was a collossus Mr Stirling.

[YELLOW]

Ollie is potential player of the year at the mo. He has been outstanding this season, scoring important goals and working hard. I've always thought he is a good player but tis season he has really improved!!

[A Non E Mouse]

The game that sticks in my mind with Ollie was when he came on as sub at Scarborough and put in his claim for a regular first team spot which he hasn't taken for granted.

 

It was one of those substitutions where the player really did make an impression on the overall game - we started to attack with more conviction and his runs down that side really started to open Scarborough up. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wow.gif" alt="" />

 

He certainly has that determination and arguements that he's a future "captain" either here or elsewhere, are not unfounded. However, one fault I find with him is that he goes a little to "mad" at times with the tackles etc. and he becomes confrontational which lands him into unnecessary trouble.

 

As MOB said, it was great seeing Keeling and Ollie, light heartedly tussling for the ball to take the free kick - looks like the team spirit was really there yesterday - wonder if it has anything to do with Gavin going? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" />

[CIFCislander]

Ever sice we signed ollie from braintree i'v rated him but i did expect him to struggle a little this season but has done the exact opposite and taken the midfield role by storm.

 

As yellow said,definatly one of the players of the season, little jonny keeling gets my vote at the mo but with ollie not far behind.

 

It was hard to choose the MOTM yesterday but i did feel gregors did deserve it specially as he isnt 100% fit, great finish and a superb header to duffers who crossed for our 3rd.

 

Bring on Morcambe!

[A Non E Mouse]

Quote:

specially as he isnt 100% fit

 

Didn't realise Greggors wasn't 100% fit - begs the question though - why did he start the game with Junior and Lee on the bench and I presume Braniff still at the club? Greggors played well though.

[YELLOW]

According to today's NLP he was only 80% fit. Think he could do with a rest. I'd be tempted to start with Lee and Greg up front against Morecambe next week.

 

Anybody know what's happened to Tom Williamson?

[A Non E Mouse]

This is one aspect where the official website is rather poor.

 

I'm never sure whether a player is out injured or out of favour. There are a number of players who "disappear" and your not informed of their progress. You only seem to find out via this site from people who have managed to attend friendlies, reserve games or the social club.

 

As you say Yellow - what has happened to Williams as I felt he had done very well?. Is the original JK injured or out of favour? Has Braniff gone back to Millwall? Is Ty Gooden still injured - Minton, Dobbo etc. There is never any updates.

[CIFCislander]

I went to the friendly the other day & tommy williamson played so i take it he is out of favour at the mo.

I saw braniff at the game yesterday hanging around the changing rooms so must be still on loan & JK is recovering from an injury.

[ronin]

We struggle when Gregory`s not in the side especially away from home when we have to keep hold of the ball more, no one in the rest of the squad has his strength or ability in the air.

 

Braniff was at the game yesterday standing with Williamson and i`m sure i read in the program that Ty has had an op and that Dobbo may not play this season, don`t know about Minton & JK.

[YELLOW]

Williamson got dropped after the Halifax game and with Sedgy coming back in and playing really well I can't see Williamson getting back into the side. I would have him on the bench though.