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| Daggers 1 Telford United 1 |
| Conference - 06/09/03 |
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The Daggers again made wholesale changes after being outclassed at Shrewsbury, and produced an altogether more solid display in front of their home fans. New boys Alan Kimble and Tony Scully meant a whole new left side for the Daggers, and there was a recall for Chris Piper and first start for Meechan partnering Braithwaite in Stein's continued absence. Tim Cole was also back with a superb display.
The game started off as a midfield scrap with both sides fighting to get on top. Danny Hill showed he has battling qualities to go with his attacking flair and was influencial in breaking up attacks with the enthusiastic Chris Piper alongside him. Tony Scully produced the first attacking moment, whipping in a lovely left foot ball that was very nearly met by Meechan. On the other side, Bentley wasn't having his best game but worked hard all the same as the Daggers midfield looked much less flaky than in previous games this season.
Scully had the first shot when he met a right wing pull-back, but his right foot half-volley skimmed the top of the bar with Mackenzie beaten. It was Telford who came closest though when one shot was headed off the line, the second superbly saved by Roberts and the third blasted over the bar from close range.
Soon after, Danny Hill sent Braithwaite clear with a lovely first-time lob over the top. As Leon battled past the defender, Howarth bundled him to the floor just outside the box and was rightly sent off. As the wall lined up a few yards in front of the ball, Kimble decided not to wait for them to retreat and took a quick kick to Meechan who finished superbly across Mackenzie. For some reason though, the referee decided not to allow the goal and Kimble was booked. The second effort was hit at the keeper.
Minutes later, Meechan was tripped on the edge of the box and despite looking to be inside, the referee gave a kick on the edge of the box which was quickly chipped in by Danny Hill for Goodwin. With the ball going to Goodwin for a seemingly easy goal, the defender handled the ball back to his keeper, but again the officials weren't interested and again denied the Daggers.
After those two incidents which should have meant a two-goal lead for the Daggers, the inevitable happened. Ricketts got down the left and crossed to the unmarked Mills who headed across Roberts and into the corner to open the scoring. Goodwin then headed wide with a free header from Kimble's cross just before the break.
In the second half, the Daggers started to pass the ball well and Danny Hill was getting a lot of time on the ball to pick out Braithwaite and Meechan. Unfortunately the hard-working duo's touch wasn't quite there on the day and they we're often dispossesed by the Telford defence. It wasn't long until the equaliser though as the ref this time saw the deliberate handball by Clark as Hill's cross aimed towards Meechan. Chris Piper's kick was right in the bottom corner for his first Daggers goal. Clark later held Meechan round the neck to stop him getting to another right sided cross in but again the referee wasn't interested.
Hill nearly put Meechan away soon after but for a great interception by Clark as Telford's packed defence was hard to break down despite the possesion the Daggers had. Hill and Scully were replaced by Lenny Piper and Janney, and it wasn't long before Telford began to get the upper hand despite having ten men. Finding space in midfield now, only a great saving tackle by Cole stopped the second visiting goal as Telford broke through. Janney nearly broke away but couldn't make the most of it and Lenny wasn't having any joy trying to create, as Telford finished the stronger.
