Hi is anybody out there. Nothing on site about Tonights game

[baswaldsmate]

DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE at Cressing Road tonight.

[ozbrit]

Thanks, whats kept you Barry )

[jonw]

Looking forward to tonights game. Expect the squad will be smaller for the last two games as we prepare for the first league match.

[stevet]

5 first team player's will have involvement tomorrow night against Haverhill.

[dbbn]

Another league team come to Cressing Road and leave beaten. I was looking forward to meeting up with a couple of people from D & R who I'd met through work and personally and had the chance to exchange pleasantries with secretary Steve Thompson and physio John Gowan. The starting line up for the Iron was Norris, back 4 of Brundle, Paine, Fry & Sparkes, midfield of Woodyard, Davis, Isaac & Miles with Akinola and Marks up front. D & R have certainly changed their way of playing from the days of John Still and their fans will no longer be going home with stiff necks! Having said that; Braintree looked the better team without really creating any clear openings. The game had the feeling of a friendly; without too much in the way of hard challenges or over exertion by either side with the big kick off almost upon us. Dagenham really couldn't open up the Iron's rearguard and test Norris, so it was a surprise to see them take the lead! A through ball centrally over the top saw Paine stretch out a leg which pushed the ball beyond Norris for a gleeful awaiting Dagger to pass into an empty net from a tight angle. Marks went off injured to be replaced by Cheek.
At half time I went and had a chat with Martin Allen who was having a look at Akinola. Martin wasn't enthused with Simeon's performance saying that "He hadn't turned up". He hadn't been impressed by Simeon's goal/appearance ratio last season until I pointed out to him that most of his starts came on the flank. He did like the look of Isaac though!
Second half and Dagenham made a few early changes and upped the tempo a bit more, but didn't seriously test Norris. As the game wore on players from both sides were substituted with Clerima and Walker coming on for Paine & Brundle. The former was to score from a corner delivered with his usual accuracy by Sparkes. Cheek then had a chance to score from 8 yards as the ball ran to him but his side-foot effort was deflected over the bar by the keeper's outstretched leg
The Iron were to win the game with the last kick of the game from a free kick expertly delivered again by Sparkes and side footed on by Cox.
I was also told at half time that we have signed another centre back; but I'll wait for the official announcement to be made.
This has been an excellent pre-season and in two games against League 2 sides we have come back from behind and tonight scored from 2 set pieces; something we haven't seen much of the last few seasons. Plenty to look forward to come August 8th.

[ironmansimon]

Beautifully put sir. Thank you for the additional information as well. I was saying to my brother in law I reckon chez will be off before the season starts. However I believe we have great strength in depth now. Can't wait for Chester.