The Daggers came crashing back down to earth with a thud of seismic
proportions when they were deservedly beaten 5-1 at Victoria Road. The
heaviest ever home league defeat for the Daggers was made in the second half
when the home side were punished for some very poor defending and midfield
play.
The defeat means that the Daggers stay second at least until Boxing Day
with Telford climbing into fourth place.
The first half was a fairly even affair with few chances from either
side. Danny Shipp's deflected effort was easily claimed by Telford
goalie, Paul Edwards. A long throw from Kevin Jobling was poorly cleared
as far as Gareth Hanmer with 15 minutes gone. Hanmer fires in a shot
which was deflected past Tony Roberts to give the visitors the lead.
The
home side pressed forward in search of an equaliser and only the acrobatics of
Edwards denied Ken Charlery the equaliser from a superb Junior McDougald
cross. With around 30 minutes on the clock, the Daggers did get back on
level terms. Edwards appeared to bring down Danny Hayzelden on the edge
of the area but the referee waved play-on and the ball broke to McDougald who
crossed the ball for Ken Charlery to head home (pictured left being
congratulated by Paul Terry).
Another attempt by Charlery was saved well by Edwards and the first half
finished 1-1 with the home side having had perhaps the better of the chances.
The second half showed a marked contrast from the first with the Daggers
second to the tackle. The visitors capitalised on some dreadful passing
putting four past Roberts for no reply.
Within five minutes of the restart, the Daggers found themselves behind
again when Gary Fitzpatrick headed home a Jobling cross. Garry Hill then
replaced Mark Rooney with Danny Hill and switched to three up front but it was
Telford who scored again on 66 minutes when the referee overruled his linesman
and awarded Telford a corner kick. From the corner, Jim Bentley headed
home from close range. Telford's fourth came soon after when a shot from
Hanmer was put into the net by Gary Martindale.
Telford added a fifth when Paul Moore latched onto a mistake from Mark
Smith and placed the ball into the net. Moore also had another great
chance when he beat Steve Heffer before planting his ball against the post.
In what was undoubtedly the worst performance of the season, the Daggers
seemed to have their minds on the upcoming Ipswich match and Garry will need
to raise his team for the match against Hayes on Boxing Day.
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