Daggers pace too much for struggling Stanley

ACCRINGTON STANLEY 1 DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE 2
By Ricky Butler at the Store First Stadium

SECOND half goals from speedy strikers Zavon Hines and Rhys Murphy gave in-form Dagenham and Redbridge victory at the league’s bottom side Accrington Stanley on Friday evening.

After a tight, goalless first half in which Stanley’s Peter Murphy had struck a post, the match came to life after the break as swift counter attacks saw Hines and Murphy put the visitors in control.

Stanley did pull a goal back in the first minute of stoppage time when substitute James Gray followed up to score after a shot from Will Hatfield had been pushed out by Daggers goalkeeper Chris Lewington, but it was too little too late for James Beattie’s side, who still await their first win of the season.

The Daggers had started the season as favourites to go down, having only survived on goal difference at the end of the last campaign, but manager Wayne Burnett has assembled a side with enough pace and quality to suggest they could instead challenge for a place in the play-offs.

Arriving in Lancashire on the back of a five-match unbeaten run, the Daggers started brightly with Hines going close in the 8th minute after getting in behind the Stanley defence, but goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, on loan from Fulham, did well to deny him.

It is a different story for poor Stanley, however. James Beattie, in his first managerial role, has really been throw in at the deep end and was forced to name himself on the bench such is the lack of numbers in the home ranks.

However, his troops looked the more likely in the first half and they were nearly rewarded after quarter of an hour. Lee Naylor whipped in a corner from the right and Peter Murphy’s header beat Lewington but not the upright.

It was a poor back pass from defender Brian Saah that presented Stanley with an even better opportunity midway through the half. Kayodi Odejayi was quick to react and beat Lewington to the ball but it spun away at the vital moment and the Daggers were able to clear their lines.

But the turning point arrived six minutes into the second period. The home fans behind the goal thought Shay McCartan had headed their side in front from a Tom Aldred cross, but the ball landed in the side netting and within moments the Daggers had made the breakthrough.

A swift counter attack saw Rhys Murphy slip in Hines and the former Bradford City man coolly slotted past Bettinelli for his first goal for the Essex club.

You could almost see the confidence drain from Beattie’s side after that and it was no surprise when the visitors doubled their lead just past the hour. It was another counter attack at pace that caused the problems - Hines this time returning the favour for Murphy to make it 2-0.

Beattie made all three substitutions - bringing on James Caton for his home debut, Kai Naismith and Gray – and it gave his side some impetus in the closing stages, but it was the Daggers who created the better opportunities. Hines came close to a second - firing over after good work from debutant Chris Dickson - before substitute Medy Elito headed wide from close range.

Stanley did give their fans something to cheer in the first minute of stoppage time when Lewington failed to hold a long range effort from Hatfield and Gray followed up to score, but it was not enough to prevent the Daggers moving to within two points a play-off place.

ACCRINGTON STANLEY – Bettinelli; Hunt (Caton 58), Aldred, Atkinson, Naylor; Murphy, Joyce, Miller(Naismith 70) , Hatfield; McCartan (Gray 78); Odejayi.

DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE - Lewington; Wilkinson, Connors (Illesanmi 76), Saah, Hoyte; Bingham, Ogogo, Howell; Hines, Obafemi (Elito 78), Murphy (Dickson 86).

REFEREE – M. Russell

ATTENDANCE: 1,833