Ground 45: AFC Wimbledon v The Daggers

AFC Wimbledon 2-1 The Daggers

Well it appears I might have might spoken too soon about the Daggers revival. A week ago, we had taken 7 points from a possible 9 and were looking in good form going into a run of vital fixtures however back to back losses have sent us back to the bottom of the league and 3 points from safety. I went into this one incredibly nervous as this was a genuine winnable game for us and arguably a 6 pointer with the Dons not entirely safe from being out of this relegation scrap. With no win in 7 for Terry Brown's men, I was quietly confident despite our 4-0 defeat in midweek, we would be very much capable of taking all 3 points here.

After meeting my friend who was off to West Ham, I met my little brother Chaz and my pals Nick, Matt & Andy. We left Chadwell Heath at 1 with the boys worrying we were cutting it fine for kick off, however with my excellent knowledge on transport we took the overground to Stratford, central line to Bank, Waterloo & City line to Waterloo and overground to Norbiton, we arrived in Kingstonian at half 2 even enough time for me and Andy to find a boozer while we sent the young bucks to the ground. We encountered a friendly looking pub called "The Peel" which despite the boarded up windows and the over 21's sign at the door looked decent, as soon as we stepped foot in the pub we realised why it was over 21's as to our right was poles and in front of us was a lady with no clothes on (Yes, we were in a strip club!). After that ordeal, we managed to get a quick pint in at another pub before going into the ground 5 minutes before kick off.

As I arrived in the ground, I quickly scanned through the teams to see if either manager had made many changes. Ex Aldershot boss, Terry Brown had made 4 changes to the side that were beaten by Plymouth on Tuesday night. Brown welcomed back former Dagger Gareth Gwillim who was also made skipper for this one, he also brought in Dutch centre back Paul Balkestein for West Ham graduate Callum McNaughton, Brown also made two changes in the midfield as ex Charlton Athletic midfielder Jason Euell was injured so was replaced by on loan Sunderland midfielder Billy Knott while ex Stevenage man Byron Harrison came in for John's son, George Moncur. Places on the bench were made available for ex Palace winger Kieran Djilali and 19 year old Brendan Kiernan. The Daggers were forced to make one change from the side that faced Swindon as Josh Scott was suspended following his dismissal Tuesday night. This meant that as expected Brian Woodall returned to the side. There two changes to the bench as Richard Rose was preferred to Femi and ex Chelmsford City striker Rob Edmans found himself with an opportunity. There was a rumour circulating the away end that new loan signing Josh Parker was meant to be in the squad but missed the team coach to the game, only Dagenham.

The sides lined up before kick off..

The first half was a very scrappy affair with the importance of the game showing nerves in both sides performance. A very good battle was taking place in the middle of the park as the impressive Billy Knott had met his match in our very own Abu Ogogo as they provided a very interesting battle. The highly rated Ben Reeves was struggling again for us as the physical battle wasn't suiting his style of play with two fairly direct sides in competition. Neither Seb Brown or John Bond were called into action in the opening half hour showing the lack of confidence from both sides.

Just after the half hour, there was the first chance of any real significance as it fell to the hosts. Some decent build up play from the long serving full back Sam Hatton and winger Byron Harrison provided a cross for ex Dover midfielder Sammy Moore who couldn't get any real connection on the ball. The Daggers then had a chance of their own as the ball fell to the ineffective Reeves who made good connection with the volley but fell straight into the ever present keeper Seb Brown's arms. The Daggers then had the best chance of the half after the lively Jon Nurse terrorised the Wimbledon defence to provide a golden opportunity for ex Gresley man Woodall who blazed over the bar. Bond was called into action just before the break as a clever ball from Knott found non league journeyman Byron Harrison who could only direct the ball straight at Bond from a difficult angle. Not the most memorable of halves that would need to be improved by both sides in the second half.

Both sides showing unity before kick off...

The real Dons came out rather energetic in the second half as they created the earlier opportunities, an inviting cross from Hatton couldn't find an end product to give the home side a lead. The Daggers then rode their luck as a flick on from on loan Brentford defender Balkestein found ex Dagger Jack Midson's head who hit the post. From the rebound, Bond produced a magnificent save as Whitechapel born Rashid Yussuff attempted to bundle the ball home. Dom Green was then introduced for the Daggers as Reeves again was not living up to expectations and his reputation that he has brought from Southampton. An intelligent ball from Green put through Nursey who crossed for Bingham who would be disappointed with his header from 8 yards out. The Daggers then became dominant as Nurse was put through on goal and enforced Brown into a fine save. Still brought on Edmans for Elito as he targeted all 3 points, the substitute was straight in the action glanced his header wide after yet more good work from Jon Nurse who is looking back to his best in recent games.

Brown introduced the influential Kieran Djilali to give the home side a foothold in the game and it wasn't long before in cruel circumstances, a killer blow was struck. After failure from Arbs and Irish to clear the ball, the ball fell to the talented Jack Midson who struck a sweet half volley which seemed to fly into the top corner in slow motion as Bond couldn't get there. The goal was not a fair reflection on the Daggers as we were left to rue our missed chances. The Daggers were clearly rocked by the goal and took a bit of time to compose themselves. We then counter attacked with the attack being led by Rob Edmans who beat a couple of Wimbledon players and then played in Woodall who tried to cut the ball back but then found his shot blocked. Nurse then had a header cleared off the line while Woodall had another effort tipped over the bar. The Daggers then finally got what they deserve as the stylish Mickey Spillane headed home to equalise. Cue a very animated away support including myself as I passionately celebrated the goal Alan Pardew style. However, the Daggers were then caught out as failure to clear their lines again meant the ball fell to super sub Djilali who managed to squeeze the ball under Bond who should have done better. Edmans had a chance right at the death but his header was comfortably saved as the Daggers lost a vital game they should have won based on the second half performance.

The AFC Wimbledon fans.

A result that left me feeling very dejected and in all honesty gutted. We created more than enough chances against a very average and out of form Wimbledon side. Bond made a few good saves but in all honesty cost us the game with a shot he should have easily saved. The defence looked strong for the majority of the game however costly errors where there was a lapse of concentration was where the game was lost. The midfield played okay but seemed passive with the long ball been used to it's full effect. The front two were the most impressive for me with the link up play between Woodall and Nurse causing the Wimbledon defence many problems and on another day would have mustered up a few goals. Everyone knows that the next two games are now do or die for us as Arbs passionately tweeted his frustration at the boys playing like boys and not men. As much as you might want to criticise them for their first half performance, they do care and are doing all they can to keep us in the Football League.

As this was my 45th ground out of the 92, I thought I'd like to dish out a few compliments and comments on AFC Wimbledon. As they ground share with Kingstonian FC, it was a very compact and small ground holding even less than our ground. A very posh area compared to the slums of Dagenham, I felt very safe and quite enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere. Not a very vocal home support except for the chant of "A-F-C Wimbledoooon" at the end which was admittedly quite catchy. I wish them all the best for the rest of the season as it is highly unlikely they will be caught up in this relegation scrap now and hope I can return there next year with the Daggers. As for us, Tuesday night could quite possibly be the biggest day of my life to date as I finally turn 18 and the Daggers have their most important match of the season which will give us a big insight on our fate next season. If you can get there Tuesday, be there as the boys need you more than ever. Big respect to my fellow 382 Daggers who made the trip across London despite West Ham being at home and our current form. Stay Positive. Believe. We are Dagenham.