Tonight’s win over Barnet at Victoria Road was the Daggers’ 9th against a fellow Greater London side since being promoted to the Football League. Despite the Bees being the only local rivals this season, over previous years we have had Luton, Wycombe and Brentford to contend with in league matches, as well as several cup ties. Here’s a look at some of the more memorable derby matches in recent years.
Daggers 3 Brentford 1, 21/04/09
Going into the game, the Bees were 5 clear at the top and we found ourselves down in 8th place. However, the Daggers turned in one of their best displays of the season to roar into the playoff positions and leave their opponents sweating on securing the title. Sam Saunders all but finalised his close-season move to Griffin Park with the opener, calmly slotting into the corner from a Benson lay-off. Only a superb clearance denied the equally Brentford-bound Strevens, but the lead was extended through an absolutely magnificent Solomon Taiwo volley. Arber put the cherry on the top when he met Saunders’ corner, with Spencer netting a late consolation.
Daggers 2 Barnet 0, 10/10/08
Dagenham put Barnet to the sword with a classy home win courtesy of Ritchie and Strevens. Matt Ritchie scored the opener early in the game, heading home his 2nd goal in his 2nd match for the club from a Saunders cross. Barnet barely registered a shot on goal and a mixture of wasteful finishing and good keeping prevented the score from growing with Taiwo and Gain going close, Taiwo again rattling the frame of the goal, and visiting custodian Harrison making a superb double save to deny Saunders and Ritchie. The second goal, when it came, was a scrappy bundled effort from Strevens but it didn’t matter as the Daggers wrapped up a fine home victory.
Wycombe 0 Daggers 1, 29/01/08
An absolutely vital away win was secured as the Daggers battled to stave off relegation in their first Football League season. Peter Gain came in for his debut as part of a 3-man midfield but, despite a good performance, the plaudits went to a heroic defence which kept out wave after wave of attack. The only goal of the game came from the spot, Leon Johnson’s handball allowing the nerveless Rainford to score the winner.
Brentford 2 Daggers 3, 02/10/07
Dagenham followed up their first ever away win in the Football League by immediately adding a second. For an hour the performance was nothing short of brilliant as we went into a 3-goal lead. An inventive overhead effort from Strevens was saved and Huke spanked a shot against the post before Strevens gave us the lead after good work from Moore and Saunders. Early in the second half, Chris Moore again was involved as he played Rainford in only for the midfield man to get upended. He dusted himself down to net the penalty. Moore, who had been signed by Brentford from the Daggers only to be released months later, was most definitely in the mood to show the Bees what they were missing. He scored the goal his performance had so richly deserved to make it 3-0, shrugging off Pettigrew before slotting home. Mousinho quickly reduced the deficit, and Charles made things nervy with a header on 75 minutes, but this was Moore’s night and Daggers held firm to secure all three points.
Full record in London derbies since promotion: P20 W9 D3 L8 F33 A26
League only: P16 W6 D3 L7 F24 A22
