Dagenham & Redbridge 1-2 Woking
Vanarama National League
Saturday 7th January 2023

Darren Sarll made one change from the victorious side on New Year’s Day, with the suspended Jermaine Anderson making way for Solomon Nwabuokei, who re-joined the Cards from Barrow on loan, whilst fellow new signing Marcus Dackers took his place on the bench.

The Cards made a rapid start, with Rohan Ince having his shot blocked just minutes in, before James Daly drove down the wing and put a teasing cross just out of the reach of Jim Kellermann.

With ten minutes gone, Woking almost took the lead twice. A clever free kick from Josh Casey found Rhys Browne, who curled an effort towards the far corner. Elliot Justham saved brilliantly and blocked away Padraig Amond’s follow up with his feet.

Josh Walker found himself in on goal after neat work to break the Woking lines, but a good block from Scott Cuthbert prevented him from finding the bottom corner.

Woking finally had their reward after 25 minutes, when Charlie O’Connell’s corner wasn’t dealt with, and Rohan Ince stabbed the ball just over the line.

After 37 minutes, Ince and Woking had their second. Great work from Amond and Browne saw the latter have his shot blocked. The ball fell to the midfielder, who struck the ball cleanly on his weaker foot and into the far corner, leaving Justham hapless.

The Cards ended the half the stronger, a half in which they were fully deserving of their two goal cushion, having dominated the majority of the play and given Daryl McMahon plenty to think about at half time.

Half-time: Dagenham & Redbridge 0-2 Woking

Woking’s two goal hero Ince was replaced at half time by Dan Moss, whilst Dagenham made two changes: Junior Morias for Paul McCallum and Joel Taylor for Harry Phipps.

The Daggers began the second half with a point to prove. Myles Weston ventured forwards and delivered a brilliant cross towards McCallum, but excellent defending from Cuthbert saw the Cards able to clear.

Woking almost added a third on the hour mark, when a superb cross from Moss was met by Amond, but another brilliant save from Justham prevented the Irishman from scoring.

A poor and mistimed tackle from Walker on Moss saw him enter the book, as Dagenham frustrations began to boil over.

However, Dagenham had a goal back minutes later, when another Weston cross was met by Walker and prodded home.

Woking thought they should’ve been awarded a penalty with eight minutes to go, when Joe McNerney appeared to head the ball against a Dagenham arm, but the referee waved the claims away. Walker fired a half volley just over the bar as the Daggers pressed for an equaliser.

Overall, an excellent away performance from Sarll’s men, as they took down an in-form side. Up next is a trip to Scunthorpe United on Saturday 14th January.

Woking: 13 Craig Ross, 3 Josh Casey, 4 Scott Cuthbert, 5 Joe McNerney, 8 James Daly, 10 Padraig Amond, 14 Rhys Browne (20 Dackers 79’), 15 Charlie O’Connell (2 Lofthouse 70’), 17 Jim Kellermann, 16 Solomon Nwabuokei, 24 Rohan Ince (12 Moss 45’).

Unused subs: Tyreke Johnson, Jake Vokins.

Goals: Rohan Ince 26’, 37

Bookings: Kyran Lofthouse 84’, Marcus Dackers 88’, Josh Casey 90+3’

Dagenham & Redbridge: Elliot Justham, Myles Weston, David Longe-King, Elliot Johnson, Joel Taylor (Phipps 45’), Dean Rance, Matt Robinson, Mo Sagaf (Saunders 68’), Josh Walker, Junior Morias (McCallum 45’)

Unused subs: Omar Mussa, Jay Bird.

Goals: Josh Walker 67’

Bookings: Josh Walker 63’, Matt Robinson 87’

Referee: Elliott Swallow

Attendance: 1735 (284 Woking fans)

Man of the Match: Solomon Nwabuokei was at his imperious best in midfield, fitting in seamlessly, although Rohan Ince might have taken this one had he played the full game.