Match Report | Cards defeated at the death by Daggers

Dagenham & Redbridge 2-1 Woking
Vanarama National League
21st October 2023

Woking returned to league action after successful FA Cup progression, as Dagenham & Redbridge welcomed the Cards to Victoria Road.

Darren Sarll made one change to the side victorious over Hemel in midweek, with Morgan Williams dropping to the bench in place of Lewis Walker. There were also returns to the squad for Zak Bradshaw, Alfie Pavey and Timi Odusina, who all took places on the bench.

In the pouring rain, Dagenham kicked off towards the open end of the ground, with the Cards kicking towards their boisterous away support. The opening ten minutes of the game went by without a chance for either side, as both teams were battling for possession.

The first real chance for the Cards came on 19 minutes, when a long kick was met by the head of Walker, but Padraig Amond fired his volley over the crossbar. But it was the hosts who took the lead minutes later, when a Josh Hare corner was met by the head of Josh Rees.

There was an immediate response from the Cards, and on 28 minutes, a superb Dennon Lewis cross was met by Reece Grego-Cox inside the six-yard box, who headed home past Elliot Justham at the back post to level the scores.

Half time came at a time where the game was very much at a stalemate, with a real lack of quality barring the move leading to the Cards’ equaliser.

Half-time: Dagenham & Redbridge 1-1 Woking

Woking made one change at half time, with Grego-Cox replaced by Rhys Browne, making his first league appearance since August, but it was the hosts who so nearly took the lead when a shot from Sam Ling cannoned back off the far post and was cleared.

After a miskick from two Dagenham defenders, Browne found himself inside the box, but he fired over with the angle somewhat against him.

Tunji Akinola was sent off for two bookable offences, both of which when he seemed to get the ball, but referee Greg Rollason eventually showed him his second yellow card in the 66th minute, and Woking’s task became that bit harder.

After the Daggers hadn’t really had a big chance for almost 30 minutes, they stole it at the death. Former Card Inih Effiong latched onto a through ball from Hare before slotting into the bottom corner to give the home side all three points.

Woking: Will Jaaskelainen, Dan Moss, Josh Casey, Scott Cuthbert, Greg Taylor, Reece Grego-Cox (Browne 45’), Padraig Amond (Williams 69’), Dennon Lewis, Tunji Akinola, Rohan Ince (Bradshaw 63’), Lewis Walker

Unused subs: Odusina, Pavey

Goals: Grego-Cox 28’

Bookings: Akinola 57’, 66’, Jaaskelainen 59’

Sent off: Akinola 66’

Dagenham & Redbridge: Elliot Justham, Josh Hare, Elliot Johnson (Kendall 72’), Tom Eastman, Jake Hessenthaler, Frank Vincent (Mussa 81’), Josh Rees, Inih Effiong, Harry Phipps, Sam Ling, Freddie Sears (Weston 63’)

Unused subs: Francis-Clarke, Page

Goals: Rees 25’, Effiong 90+4’

Bookings: Phipps 34’, Eastman 37’


Referee: Greg Rollason

Attendance: 1521 (202 Woking fans)

Man of the Match: Scott Cuthbert