The Daggers today forced a well-deserved and hard-earned replay at Home Park
against Second Division, Plymouth Argyle.
The
Daggers dictated the play for much of the game and made the afternoon very
uncomforable for Paul Sturrock's Pilgrims. The match started brilliantly
for the visitors when DiggerDagger.com's man-of-the-match Junior McDougald
(left) forced a corner in the first minute with the Plymouth defence all at
sea. Shortly after, John McGrath blazed his shot over after the ball was
knocked to him by West.
The
hosts did have an attack in the opening period, winning a corner but from the
flag kick, Junior McDougald showed startling pace to get through on goal but put
his shot just wide.
The Daggers got the goal that their early pressure deserved in the 13th
minute when Paul Terry headed home a centre from John McGrath (right) from the
edge of the six yard box.
As
the half wore on, the hosts seemed to settle more with Stonebridge putting a
header just wide. However, the Daggers also went close with Steve West
(left) placing his shot past the post and McDougald seeing his shot headed out
for another corner. From this corner, Argyle nearly crafted an equaliser
but Stonebridge's shot deflected out for a goal-kick.
The
Daggers were still doing their utmost to extend their lead and McGrath put a
shot close. Argyle, though, were increasingly having more of the play and
Evans saw his shot tipped round by Tony Roberts (right) for a corner. From
this corner, the Pilgrims levelled the score. A cross from the left was
laid back by Coughlan and Stonebridge headed the ball home despite serious
doubts over the legality of Coughlan's challenge on Matthews.
Stonebridge
went close twice more before the interval, but Roberts was equal to his first
effort and he volleyed his second well over. It
was clear that Sturrock had had strong words with his side at half-time and
Argyle came out with more determination and organisation. Paul Wotton saw
his free kick well saved by Roberts and Aljofree and Norris both had efforts
that went close. However, the Daggers found themselves a goal down in the
61st minute. A foul on Norris by Paul Terry (left) earned both a free-kick
and a yellow card for Terry. Wotton took the kick and drove it into the
wall and it deflected beyond Roberts' reach and into the corner of the net.
From
a free-kick in the 67th minute, the Daggers pulled back level. The
free-kick was played long by Roberts and McDougald (right) was quickest to
react, lifting the ball beautifully over the despairing Larrieu into the back of
the net.
Coughlan went close for the hosts but
in stoppage time, the Daggers nearly grabbed a win when Coughlan miskicked the
ball and McDougald latched onto it, only for the danger to be cleared. The
replay is currently scheduled for Tuesday 14 January at 7:45pm, although the
match may be seen as a candidate for televising which would mean the date
changing. As always, we will keep you updated here.
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