Burnett bemoans his blunt Daggers
DAGENHAM & Redbridge manager Wayne Burnett says he’s unhappy not to get three points as their winless start to the season continued on Saturday with a draw to Stevenage.
“We felt we probably deserved to nick it,” said Burnett.“I didn’t think there was much in the game, it was a tight game, they were probably slightly better than us in the second half but we had clear-cut chances.
“If we got the second it might have been a different game.
“The goal was really disappointing because we didn’t organise quickly enough and from our point of view it was a real sloppy goal and it was just a lack of organisation, lack of communication and disappointing really to concede a goal like that.
“I’m unhappy that we haven’t taken three points but in the same breath we haven’t been beaten.”
The Daggers started the more dangerous of the two teams and the breakthrough eventually came with a superb goal from Ashley Hemmings.
First he received the ball just outside the box on the left after some good play from Andre Boucaud in the middle, before nudging the ball out of his feet and finding the top corner with a powerful left-footed shot.
Stevenage looked like they could draw level but Liam O’Brien was forced into a great save after Chris Whelpdale appeared favourite to score from a low driven ball in from the left.
Most of the Daggers’ chances fell to Jamie Cureton in the second half and he had two attempts in quick succession from inside the box denied, with one headed off the line by Fraser Franks.
Stevenage came back into the game and the extended pressure paid off in the 75th minute when a ball came in from the right to Brett Williams, who headed down to Tom Hitchcock to slide in and roll the ball into the bottom right corner with a clever finish.
The Daggers reacted well though and looked most likely to take the three points from then onwards, but their search for a first win continues. Stevenage manager Teddy Sheringham, however, was delighted to see his side rescue a point from the match.
“We knew Dagenham were going to be throwing everything at us and trying as much as they can,” he said.“They’ve got one point after a few games and they want to do better.
“When you go a goal down in the first half it’s pleasing to get a draw out of the game in the end. “I’m delighted for Tom [Hitchcock].
“He’s only had ten and 15 minutes in each game but whenever he has come on he has done really well.”