The Daggers today were held to a 1-1 draw at Victoria Road by a resolute Telford
United.
On an August Bank Holiday with weather more reminiscent of late Autumn than
Summer, the Daggers set out to seek revenge for the two defeats inflicted on
them by the Bucks last season.
With the Daggers attempting to play the passing game that suits them so well,
they set their stall out from the start of the match, playing some great
football and knocking the ball around well. However, the forward line
seemed bereft of ideas and, aside from one long-range Danny Shipp shot, had
barely threatened the Telford goal.
The first good chance of the match fell to the visitors just after the
half-hour but Smith was only able to blaze his shot wide of the post.
The
deadlock was broken in the 35th minute when Telford cleared a Paul Bruce (right)
shot only as far as Danny Hill who volleyed the ball beautifully into the bottom
corner of the net from 25 yards.
With time rapidly running out in the first half, disaster struck when Tony
Roberts collided with the woodwork in saving a deflected shot.
Mysteriously, referee Mr McIntosh allowed play to continue and Mark Foran
blasted the ball into the net to level the scores.
The Daggers made the enforced substitution, replacing Roberts with Paul
Gothard.
At the interval, Paul Terry (left) was replaced by Steve Perkins and the Daggers
continued to dominate the game, constantly being thwarted by a resolute and, at
times, packed Telford defence.
The forwards were having difficulty finding the space to make shots despite
the constant barrage of pressure from the home side.
The
main threat was coming from the left wing where the DiggerDagger Man Of The
Match, Paul Bruce, was getting in cross after cross despite being double teamed
by the defenders. Junior McDouglad was, as always, putting in a huge
amount of running but seemed to be hindering the side more than helping the
cause and it came as something of a surprise when it was Danny Shipp (right) who
made way for Steve McGavin.
The Daggers did have a few chances in the second half with Steve West blazing
a shot over from inside the box and also heading wide of the post and over from
corners. Paul Bruce saw his long range shot fly over the bar.
When
Mark Stein (left) saw his powerful shot blocked at close range, it became
obvious that it wasn't going to be the Daggers day.
The Daggers also had a firm penalty appeal turned down
when Heffer was clearly fouled in the area.
The game finished with another Daggers shot - a Danny
Hill free-kick from range that whistled over.
The draw sees the Daggers knocked off the top spot and
they will be looking to improve on the result on Saturday at Farnborough.
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