By JOHN CHUBB
@JohnCphoenixfm
The opening day of the National League season was a disappointing one for Dagenham & Redbridge, who were beaten 2-0 by newly promoted Woking at the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
Goals from ex-Dagger Kane Ferdinand and Frenchman Moussa Diarra ensured that the Cards took all three points back to Surrey.
Home manager Peter Taylor felt his team needed to defend more effectively at set-pieces, and he will be looking for an improvement when they visit Dover Athletic this evening for their first away fixture of the new campaign.
Three of the four Essex clubs competing in this season’s National League South had a happier start to the 2019/20 season.
A very fine performance from Chelmsford City saw them beat Hampton & Richmond 4-1 at Melbourne Park.
Rod Stringer’s side took the lead within two minutes of the kick-off courtesy of an own goal, before a Tom Wraight brace and a late goal from new signing Andy Fennell wrapped up a comfortable win.
Tyrone Leathwaite netted the Beavers’ consolation. My full report on that match can be seen here.
Concord Rangers also made an excellent start to their campaign, as their new look side triumphed 3-0 away to Oxford City.
Joel Nouble, Kreshnic Krasniqi and Joe Gardner were all on the scoresheet for the Beach Boys, in what was a perfect start for their new manager Danny Scopes.
Billericay Town left it very late, but they too secured an opening day victory by beating Eastbourne Borough 1-0 at the Steel Team Stadium.
The Blues finally broke the deadlock when Jake Robinson found the net in the third minute of stoppage time. Our full report of the match can be seen here.
But there was disappointment for Braintree Town, in their first match back in the NLS and under new manager Glen Driver.
The Iron slipped to a 2-0 defeat away to Bath City, two early second half goals from Tom Smith and Ross Stearn ensuring victory for the Twerton Park outfit.
All four Essex sides in the National League South are in action in two local derbies this evening. Braintree face Billericay at Cressing Road, whilst Concord host Chelmsford at the Aspect Arena.
