Ground 43: Oxford v The Daggers

Oxford 2-1 Daggers

Due to the recent weather and big freeze we've had across the country, like most teams this was the Daggers first game for 2 weeks and our first fixture in February. The Daggers had won the last time out at the end of January when they beat South Yorkshire side Rotherham 3-2. Oxford however had not won in 3 games and may have been welcome of the break that postponements gave them. Going into the game Oxford sat just inside the play offs on goal difference while the Daggers sat just outside of the relegation zone by 1 point. This was a game which both teams desperately needed the points for contrasting reasons.

We set off around 4 o'clock from Chadwell Heath as we planned to get the train from London Paddington at 17:50. We made this train and arrived at Oxford station just before 7 which we then caught a taxi to the ground as it is a considerable 4 miles from the ground. My first impressions of The Kassam Stadium was that it reminded me a lot of The New Den, home to Millwall FC. While it looked very nice and modern, it seemed to lack a bit of culture and tradition and therefore atmosphere. The team news was quickly read out as we took to our surroundings. With both teams first in action since the transfer deadline day, there was a few players making debuts for either sides. Oxford welcomed the deadly Scott Rendell, ex Doncaster midfielder Mark Wilson and striker Oli Johnson to make their full debuts while providing other new signings ex Swindon striker Medhi Kerrouche and midfielder Lee Holmes places on the bench. The Daggers gave a debut to ex Fulham and Lincoln man Matthew Saunders as the Daggers also welcomed back the skillful Dominic Green from injury. Star man Brian Woodall was injured which meant the strong Josh Scott and top scorer Jon Nurse joined Green to form a front three. Lively winger Medhi Elito was also welcomed back to the bench for the Daggers.

43/92

The first half was not the liveliest of halves as both teams seemed to be lacking a bit of tempo and cutting edge from the 2 week break. The Daggers seemed to be keeping their shape well but struggling to maintain possession. The only real chance the host's seemed to create was down to some hesitant defending from young Billy Bingham who was outmuscled by ex Luton Town midfielder Asa Hall who couldn't trouble Lewy between the sticks. In fact it was The Daggers who probably created the best chance of the half after some good build up play from the composed Mickey Spillane, the ball fell to Bingham who forced non league journeyman Ryan Clarke into a good save as Daggers couldn't capitalise on the rebound. The two teams went in stalemate at the break with both managers probably expecting more from their sides.

The sides line up before kick off...

The second half was defiantly where the action started as ex Halifax manager Chris Wilder introduced central midfielder Lee Holmes to the game to replace Asa Hall. The U's started the half the better and were in front 6 minutes after the break. Some good work from left back Liam Davis who provided the cross for Oli Johnson to open his account for Wilder's men. Lewy was left with no chance as the Daggers defence really need to reevaluate their slack marking for the goal. The Daggers reacted immediately as skipper Mark Arber had an effort cleared off the line. John Still then made the tactical change withdrawing Billy Bingham for striker Adam Cunnington as ex Posh man Dom Green dropped back into midfield. Still soon after introduced the influential Medhi Elito for Green and it was the ex Colchester winger's cross which found South African Mark Arber who headed across Clarke to put the Daggers back on level terms. Cue the Poznan from the 119 travelling fans...

The Daggers now had the ascendancy and had two guilt edge chances which could have put them in front. Firstly, after more good work from Elito he laid it back to Josh Scott who was too eager as he opened up his body too soon allowing U's skipper Jake Wright a chance to block the shot. Then, Cunnington showed some impressive technique as he hit a shot on the half volley which had Clarke beaten but only hit the post. Unfortunately, the Daggers were hit with a killer blow as after passes were exchanged between substitute Medhi Kerrouche and goalscorer Oli Johnson he put through the prolific James Constable who smashed home the winner for Oxford. Controversy followed this goal as replays show the striker to be two yards offside however there was no flag from the linesman and the goal stood. The Daggers pushed to equalise once more in the remaining 11 minutes but it wasn't to be as we dropped back into the relegation zone on goal difference.

Arbs saluting the travelling fans..

Reflecting on another highly disappointing loss, I felt we could have and maybe should have had a point last night. Their winning goal being offside doesn't particularly help our cause but these decisions go against you in football sometimes and I'm sure it will even itself out in the due course of the season. I was content with the level of the performance and felt the shape was good but it is still worrying times as we continue to yoyo in and out of the relegation zone. The introduction of Medhi Elito was key to us having a dominant period over Oxford and feel if he can match that level of performance every week he will be a key assest to us between now and the end of the season. Other stand out players on the Daggers side were skipper Mark Arber who seems to be proving his critics wrong and left back Femi had another accomplished game. We just made it back to Oxford station to catch our train home at 22:11 and then made the last train from Stratford to Chadwell Heath as I got home at 1 o'clock in the morning very fatigued and ready for bed. We host high flying Cheltenham Town on Saturday where I shall address you all again on Friday with the preview of the game.