MATT FINISHES IT FOR DAGGERS
DAGENHAM & Redbridge leapfrogged opponents Solihull Moors in the National League table by bouncing back from a goal down to secure victory.
Jordan Cranston’s early strike had put the away side ahead before goals from George Saunders, Angelo Balanta and Matt Robinson put the Daggers on the path to victory despite a late strike from Adam Rooney after Tyrone Williams had been sent off.
It took just ten minutes for Moors to take the lead when Cranston curled an effort in off the post to beat a helpless Elliot Justham after being teed up from a free-kick.
Daggers responded to goback ing behind with plenty of possession though struggled to create any big chances in the opening 25 minutes, Paul McCallum going closest by heading over at the back post from Saunders’ cross.
But Dagenham had their equaliser on 28 minutes. Balanta played a neat one-two with Robinson on the left before sending in an excellent ball for Saunders to tap in.
The away side hit back and were close to going ahead when Alex Addai’s drilled low cross was met by Kyle Hudlin, who could not get enough contact on the ball which allowed Justham to claim.
The home goalkeeper was then forced into a smart stop on 38 minutes as Hudlin and Joe Sbarra linked up well before the latter fired a powerful strike from the edge of the box which was tipped away.
But just seconds later Daggers had the lead from the spot through Balanta. The attacker had won the penalty himself, firing the ball at Kyle Storer who inadvertently handled it before the Daggers man sent Ryan Boot the wrong way.
Dagenham threatened early in the second half when Matt Robinson nodded just wide from close range after being picked out by the lively Mauro Vilhete.
But Robinson would make it three just minutes later when he got a pivotal touch on Will Wright’s dangerous corner from just a couple of yards out, sending the ball high into the net.
Solihull almost had one a few minutes later but a great save from Justham kept the score at 3-1 as he clawed the ball away to safety from Williams’ flicked header.
But having gone close to scoring, Williams was then given his marching orders for grabbing Balanta during a confrontation.
And moments later Balanta went close to adding a fourth but Boot got down well to save his volley.
Solihull did get a goal back late in added time when substitute Adam Rooney latched on to a loose ball and poked in from just a few yards out but Daggers were able to see out the win for back-to-back victories.