The Daggers amazing FA Cup adventure ended yesterday in dramatic fashion when an
injury-time goal from Norwich substitute, Zema Abbey, broke the visitors' hearts
when it looked like they had earned the replay they so richly deserved.
Throughout the match, the Daggers matched their Nationwide First Division
opponents throughout the field and created problem after problem for the
Canaries' defence.
The
opening minute saw Ashley Vickers (left) make his normal "Welcome To The
Game" tackle and the resulting free kick meant that Tony Roberts was called
into action to save a David Nielsen shot.
However,
the Daggers then proceeded to create their own chances with Norwich custodian,
Robert Green only able to push a Danny Shipp (right) shot away for a corner.
The Daggers seemed to be able to match their hosts blow-for-blow with neither
side able to take control of the game.
It took until the 18th minute for the next shot on goal when Dave Russell
lashed a shot from the edge of the area towards the corner of the goal but
somehow, Roberts pulled off an outstanding save at full stretch.
Shortly
after, a Steve West (left) free kick was saved well by Green.
Roberts also pulled off saves from Russell and McVeigh and a superb
last-ditch tackle from Ashley Vickers denied Neilson the chance of a shot on
goal, despite the fact that Neilson was clearly several yards offside.
A shove on West in the area appeared to deny the Daggers' front man the
chance of a clear shot on goal, but the visitors' appeals were waved away.
The second half saw more of the same from both sides with Norwich unable to
find a route through the Daggers' defence and the Daggers unable to find that
killer cross that, you felt, would lead to a goal for the visitors.
Roberts
pulled off another good save in the 66th minute, parrying a powerfull shot from
Rivers.
Junior McDougald (right) broke through but was unable to get the ball onto
his right foot and his tame shot was saved comfortably by Green.
On a couple of occasions, Mark Janney got the ball on the wing, but was well
mashalled by the Norwich defence and could not find the space to make the killer
cross.
A Mackay header minutes from time flew just wide of the post and, with time
rapidly running out, it looked as though the Daggers had achieved their aim and
held out for a well-deserved draw.
It came as a hammer blow when the home side took the lead on the stroke of
full time - McVeigh crossed the ball and, via a deflection, it found Zema Abbey
who stabbed the ball home from close range past Roberts.
The fourth official indicated four minutes of added time, but the Daggers
were unable to create any chances in this spell and the only notable incident
was another fine save by Roberts, this time stopping a Mulryne shot.
The
final whistle saw the Daggers players swap shirts with their opponents and go on
a much deserved lap-of-honour to a standing ovation from both sets of
supporters.
Steve West picture (c)Jamie McDonald/Getty
Images
Ashley Vickers picture (c)Ross Kinnard/Getty Images
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