Pre-season Friendly
Dagenham & Redbridge 1 Southend United 1
JOHN CHUBB at the Chigwell Construction Stadium
Honours were shared as National League Dagenham & Redbridge fought out a draw with their EFL League One visitors Southend, whose manager Kevin Bond brought a strong squad to Victoria Road for this friendly.
The first quarter of the match was a rather lacklustre affair, before coming to life towards the half hour mark when home captain Mitch Brundle’s cross met Joe Quigley, who went close, but his effort was caught by Shrimpers goalkeeper Nathan Bishop.
But Southend took the lead shortly afterwards in the 29th minute, when Brandon Goodship cleverly rounded Dagenham goalkeeper Elliot Justham and tapped the ball into the net to score his first goal for the club since his arrival from Weymouth, make it 1-0 to the Shrimpers.
But 8 minutes later the Daggers caught Blues on the break. Quigley flicked the ball on for Reece Grant, who fired the ball through goalkeeper Nathan Bishop’s legs to level the scores and net his first goal for Peter Taylor’s men, following his recent move from Aldershot Town.
Reece Grant equalises for Dagenham & Redbridge (photo by Sara Day)
Both sides made a large number of changes at the interval, and 12 minutes into the second half two of the Dagenham substitutes had decent chances to score. James Dobson went close with a free kick, before Angelo Balanta struck the crossbar with a header.
Striker Theo Robinson, looking to re-establish himself at Roots Hall having ended last season on loan at Swindon Town went close for Southend following a poor Justham clearance, but his effort was just wide.
A great save by Dagenham & Redbridge keeper Eliot Justham from Stephen Humphrys’ free kick (photo by Sara Day)
Blues won a free kick going into the last few minutes, following a foul just outside the area. Stephen Humphreys’ effort was on target and forced an excellent stop from Justham.
Then in the final minute the Daggers narrowly missed a chance to win the game, when Harry Phipps headed just wide of the post.
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE: Elliott Justham, Will Wright (Andrew Eleftheriou 46), Manny Onariase (Harry Phipps 46), Luke Croll , Will Wood (Liam Gordon 46), Alex McQueen (James Dobson 46), Mitch Brundle ©, Harold Odametey, Bagasan Graham (Joan Luque 46), Joe Quigley (Angelo Balanta 46), Reece Grant (Chike Kandi 46, Matt Robinson 72).
SOUTHEND UNITED: Nathan Bishop, Elvis Bwomono, John White (Richard Taylor 46), Harry Lennon (Rob Kiernan 32), Nathan Ralph (Trialist 63), Mark Milligan (Trialist 46), Sam Mantom © (Dru Yearwood 46, Trialist 72), Isaac Hutchinson, Trialist, Brandon Goodship (Theo Robinson 46), Charlie Kelman (Stephen Humphreys 46).
Attendance: 904