HEED ARE FIVE ALIVE AND IN HOT PURSUIT OF DAGGERS
Danny’s on fire – again!
VERDICT: Gateshead’s bandwagon shows no sign of slowing after they recorded a deserved fifth straight victory against a Dagenham side which flattered to deceive
DANNY Johnson scored for the fifth game running, and it was enough to give in-form Gateshead the double over the Daggers.
The Tynesiders had swept to a stunning 5-0 win at Dagenham in November, the rematch a much tighter affair.
But Gateshead created more chances and over the piece were good value for another maximum points haul.
The winner three minutes into the second half was a real predators goal, Johnson squeezing the ball home at the near post.
Dagenham hit back and Oli Hawkins had an effort ruled out
for offside, Gateshead passing up several chances in the final minutes.
“It was a tough game against a good side,” said delighted Heed boss Neil Aspin. “And I was really pleased with the players defensively.
“We defended really well to keep the lead. We got put under some pressure but withstood it well.
“We played some nice football in the first half. It was a really good finish for the goal, and we should have scored more late on.”
The Heed are full of confi- dence and they blew away the cobwebs of an 11-day break with a dominant opening half hour.
The Daggers, however, almost drew first blood six minutes in when Frankie Raymond flashed a first-time shot past the post. It was Gateshead who then asked the questions, Dagenham getting men behind the ball and conceding territory. Jordan Burrow, an excellent mid-season signing, shot inches past the far post on the turn, a stabbed effort then straight at Elliot Justham. Johnson cut inside to arrow a drive past the far post, Wes York then driving at goal only to clip the top of the bar. Craig Robson hit the outside of the post in response before James Bolton’s low cross was diverted into the net by the predatory Johnson. Daggers sub Jordan Maguire-Drew was just wide on the turn, while only a goal saving tackle from Shaun Donnellan denied Johnson a second. Johnson then forced a point-blank save from Justham with Heed sub Mitch Brundle spurning two chances at the death. “Gateshead were in the ascendency in the first half,” said Daggers boss John Still. “We had a little change second half and got back into the game. We had a good go at it but Gateshead are on a good run. It was two teams battling hard up there and they probably edged it.”