In the final analysis Dagenham & Redbridge deserved to progress into the next round of the JPT at the expense of Barnet, but if you are of an optimistic disposition when the game is reviewed in one's mind it might be possible to come upon some green shoots of recovery.

The Bees did fight back from being an early goal down to establish a lead of their own, looked in charge for periods in the first half and Adam Birchall took his two goals well. And add to that list a highly disputed third goal for the Daggers which looked offside and a contentious penalty awarded to the home side in the second half which put the tie beyond Barnet.

The home side started strongly and tested the debutant goalkeeper Ran Kadoch with crosses and shots and he was quickly in the game with his first touch being a punch to keep a cross out. On the fourth minute a low shot saw him push the ball wide but Paul Benson was the quickest to react and he put the ball in the net, but the Daggers were ahead for just two minutes.

The Bees did not let their heads drop but kept trying to pass the ball and the equalising goal was the reward for a swift move which saw Cliff Akurang take the ball towards his old team's goal and then pass cleverly to the unmarked Adam Birchall whose goal was a very cool and composed finish.

The Bees seemed in control and went further ahead on the 18th minute when a well delivered cross from the right back Ashley Carew allowed Birchall to dive to head in his second goal of the night.

 
The lead which had been so hard won was lost when in the 27th minute a defensive slip allowed Mark Nwokeji to stab the ball home from close range and five minutes later Paul Benson, in acres of space, controlled the ball well and executed an excellent lob over the advancing Kadoch.

There were reports post match that the match officials had conceded that they had made an error in allowing the Benson goal, a crucial decision in determining the outcome of the match.

Half an hour into the second period the Daggers established a two goal advantage when Jon Nurse fell to the floor from a tackle he imagined that Aswad Thomas was about to make. The referee glanced over at his assistant who indicated that he sided with Nurse and a spot kick was awarded. Glen Southam duly converted.

Dagenham & Redbridge play to a plan. It may be basic, but on this occasion it was sufficiently well executed for Daggers to deserve to advance in this competition. The Dagenham manager John Still was constantly heard urging and pleading for his players to launch the ball into areas of the pitch which had the Barnet players turning and chasing for the ball. They attempt to impose this brand of football on their opponents and ask of you to deal with it or buckle.

A severely under strength Barnet team, depleted by injuries in defence in particular and missing the guile of Nicky Deverdics in midfield, did not meet the challenge that Dagenham presented them with for the entire 90 minutes, although there were periods in the first half when Barnet looked the better outfit and had deservedly forged a lead of their own.

Post match Bees manager Paul Fairclough hoped that the positives from this game, and there were some, but he admitted not quite enough to make a case for a Barnet victory, could be carried forward and built upon in the next game at Lincoln this Saturday.

David Bloomfield.