First Team
National League Tue 23 January Chigwell Construction Stadium
Dagenham & Redbridge
  • Effiong (61', 96')
2
Dorking Wanderers
  • Taylor (94')
1
2-1

The boys will no doubt travel with confidence after picking up their first home win of the year against Gateshead on Saturday, with Charlie Carter netting his maiden goal in red and white. The Daggers, meanwhile, welcome Dorking having picked up just two wins from their last eight league outings, resulting in them now positioned just three points adrift from the drop zone.

The recent icy conditions across the UK has issued a two week hiatus from action upon Dagenham, their scheduled trip to Solihull Moors on Saturday was postponed. Dorking were in fact one of only a few clubs in the National League to be in action over the weekend, making up some of their games in hand.

Ben Strevens will be without striker Charley Kendall for our visit, after he was recalled by his parent club Lincoln City last week. Kendall made 24 appearances for the Daggers since arriving last July. 

Wanderers will be looking to record back-to-back league wins for the first time since September, following their 1-0 win over play-off chasing Gateshead on Saturday. The Wanderers boss was left “delighted” after the victory against a Gateshead side which were reduced to 10-men midway through the first half following a rash challenge from Regan Booty on Jason Prior. White believed his side “shaded the game at 11 v 11” insisting they weren’t lucky to come out victorious despite failing to really put The Heed to the sword after gaining the numerical advantage. 

The trip to Dagenham commences a week of two big away days for the group, with another journey into the capital on Saturday where Boreham Wood await. Having come out of the Gateshead clash with a relatively unscathed squad (a rarity), White is hoping his side can put a run together, “winning sequences go a long long way in this division, we saw that last season.”

“Wins breed confidence – two or three wins change the landscape”

Team News

Tom Blair was forced off of the pitch against Gateshead on Saturday, Jimmy Muitt his replacement as he nears full match fitness. Blair, who was a real threat along with Seb Bowerman on the flanks, was forced off due to cramp, so should be available for Tuesday night.

Alfie Rutherford returned to the Wanderers match-day squad at the weekend after his brief loan at Weymouth, the forward showcased his quality in a lively cameo off the bench as he steps up his return. Both Prior and Rutherford being fit and available for selection will no doubt excite both the Wanderers coaching staff and supporters alike. 

Matt Briggs (hamstring) remains a doubt for Dagenham, but isn’t far off returning to action. Barry Fuller (hamstring) and James McShane (ACL) are unavailable.

Opposition Focus – The Daggers

Dagenham’s form has taken a dip since our last meeting with them early in November. Ben Strevens’ side made it three wins from four with a 1-3 win in Surrey, but have only managed to win twice since. They ended a wretched run of four straight defeats at home on Boxing Day with a convincing 4-1 win against Eastleigh, Dorking’s visit will be the first time The Daggers play at Victoria Road since that victory. 

With three goals in his last two games, Josh Rees will be full of confidence for Dorking’s visit on Tuesday night. The midfielder, who came through Arsenal’s academy, has enjoyed a strong first season at Dagenham after signing from Boreham Wood last summer. Inih Effiong is also in the groove for The Daggers with four goals in his last four. 

Wanderers are without a clean sheet on the road since September, however some continuity returning to the starting lineups must serve as a solid foundation to build upon. After netting nine goals in their last three, Dagenham will pose a considerable threat on the Wanderers rearguard tomorrow.

Last Time We Met

A 0-2 win at The Chigwell Construction Stadium in April 2023 made it three wins from three as we moved eight points clear of the drop zone. Second half goals from Prior and Harry Ottaway massively boosted survival hopes with six games to play.

Inih Effiong and Myles Weston both missed chances to put the hosts ahead in the first half, before Prior punished a Daggers error at the back with just over an hour played. Ottaway wrapped up the win with 11 minutes to play with a smart finish into the bottom corner, meaning the travelling Wanderers contingent journeyed home in high spirits as National League football for another season edged closer.