DAGGERS STILL NEED SIGNINGS
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE boss John Still reckons he needs to add more experience to his squad as the Daggers slumped to consecutive pre-season defeats.
David Fitzpatrick’s angled header midway through the first half was enough for League One side AFC Wimbledon to secure victory.
Despite a promising pre-season, Still says he needs to make a couple more signings ahead of their season opener against Southport on Saturday.
“Pre-season has been very good, I’ve been very pleased,” he said.
“I thought we were the better team today. Once the game settled down I thought we moved the ball brilliantly.
“We have one or two players, through injury, that are slightly behind. Curtley Williams is one of those but today he was exceptionally good along with Josh Staunton and Matt Robinson.
“We need to be a little bit stronger but obviously with the things going on at the club with the takeover, that can’t happen.
“We have a good group of players here, we really do.We just need to find the one or two that will give us that strength in depth.
“These players will get better because of their age so that’s a plus but we do need more experience.”
Since the two clubs last met in April, they’ve both headed in opposite directions with the Dons enjoying Wembley play-off success to reach League One for the first time.
Wimbledon should have taken the lead in the 20th minute when Andy Barcham ghosted into the Daggers area but volleyed wide.
Dagenham responded, Oliver Hawkins heading off target, but a minute later Fitzpatrick showed him how it’s done, heading back across goal into the far corner.
Luke Guttridge had a good chance to equalise before half-time but he shot wide.
Dagenham midfielder Andre Bouchard had the first shot on target of the second half in the 58th minute, and the 508 in attendance only had to wait another minute for the next chance – Hawkins heading wide.
Substitute Jordan Maguire Drew saw his free-kick drift narrowly over as Dagenham enjoyed a much improved second period.
Dons sub Toyosi Olusanya almost made an immediate impact but he was denied by goalkeeper Elliot Justham, who also saved from Paul Robinson.