Gary Johnson’s side head for Victoria Road on Saturday, as United take on play-off chasers Dagenham & Redbridge.
With another crucial three points on offer, Johnson’s men will be eager to claim maximum rewards in East London tomorrow, as they continue their fight to claw their way up a congested National League table.
Who’s the Boss?
Daryl McMahon arrived in January 2020 and has since gone on to oversee steady progress with The Daggers. McMahon’s playing career saw him clock up over 350 appearances for the likes of Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Farnborough, Boreham Wood and Ebbsfleet, along with the briefest of loan spells at Plainmoor thrown in for the good measure.
His managerial career started at Ebbsfleet in April 2015, leading the club to the National League in 2017 via the Play-Offs. After leaving the Fleet he then took charge of Macclesfield in August 2019, but resigned only four months later after the club had financial difficulties.
How have they been doing?
Once again The Daggers are looked well positioned for a tilt at the Play-Offs at the halfway stage, with 29 points from 19 outings seeing McMahon’s side occupy 9th position – one point off 7th-placed Solihull Moors, and with a game in hand to boot.
Moors were one of the victims during Dagenham’s recent good form, with a 3-0 away win further proof of the side’s ability to live with the best in the division.
Last weekend saw them come remarkably close to disposing of EFL opponents in their FA Cup tie with Gillingham, with Josh Walker’s strike eventually cancelled out deep into injury-time.
Player to Watch
Joining Dagenham & Redbridge in January 2021, Mo Sagaf went on to play 13 games for the Club in 2020/21.
Beginning his career at North Greenford United, Sagaf moved on to the Ternana youth set up before returning to UK shores to join Leatherhead for the 2016/17 campaign.
A terrific spell at Waltham Forest the following season prompted a dream move to Ipswich, and although he wasn’t quite able to establish himself in the first-team picture at Portman Road, subsequent stints at Barking and Braintree led to another EFL crack with Carlisle, prior to signing for Daryl McMahon’s men.
After making 37 appearances last term, Mo has been an ever-present so far in 2022/23.
Played for Both
Former West Ham United youngster Paul McCallum may have not broken into the first-team at Upton Park, however successful loan spells at Wimbledon, Aldershot and Torquay, amongst others, helped the Streatham-born striker hone his predatory skills, prior to establishing himself at Leyton Orient, Eastleigh, and Solihull. After another loan stint at Barnet, a permanent return to the capital followed in August 2020, as he signed a three-year deal with McMahon’s side.
McCallum’s aforementioned stay at Plainmoor may have not come at the best time for The Gulls, who were enduring a taxing 2013/14 campaign, however Paul stood up to the task well, notching three goals in five league matches, and he has continued to prove a prolific striker wherever his travels have taken him, although injury may put paid to another reunion tomorrow.
Previous Encounter
Dagenham 0 – 1 United , 21st December 2013
The two sides have shared a number of entertaining encounters over the past decade or so, with one particularly pleasing memory in the capital for the Yellow Army coming just before Christmas 2013.
On that occasion, it was current Gulls Assistant Manager Aaron Downes who headed the only goal of the game in a somewhat rare 1-0 away day success for Alan Knill’s struggling side.
Another similar result tomorrow would certainly be most welcome!