United look to pick up where they left off as they welcome Dagenham & Redbridge to Plainmoor on Saturday.
Who’s the Boss?
Daryl McMahon took over at the Daggers in January 2020 and so far this season has led them to 12 wins from their 22 games including winning the last four. McMahon’s playing career saw him clock up over 350 appearances for the likes of Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Farnborough, Boreham Wood and Ebbsfleet. The former midfielder’s managerial stint started at Ebbsfleet in April 2015 and he led the club to the National League in 2017 visa the Play-Offs. After leaving the Fleet he then took charge of Macclesfield in August 2019, but resigned four months later after the club had financial difficulties. Since taking over at Victoria Road McMahon has led them to an 18th and 12th placed finish and currently has them in the play-off positions in 5th.
Player to Watch
Angelo Balanta has been with the Daggers since September 2019 and so far this season has scored seven league goals in his sixteen games making him their current top scorer. The Columbian striker started his career at QPR in 2007 and stayed there until 2014, though during his time at the Hoops he had loan spells at Wycombe, MK Dons and Yeovil Town. Following his departure from Loftus Road Balanta joined Bristol Rovers, and after a season with the Gas moved north to join Carlisle United. After only spending a season at Brunton Park he moved back down south where he joined Boreham Wood. Balanta spent two seasons with the Wood between 2016-2018 before his move to Victoria Road where he has made over 100 appearances.
Played for Both
In a career spanning over 400 appearances Brian Saah started in 2003 at Leyton Orient where he stayed until 2009 and following his release he joined Cambridge United making over 70 league appearances and scoring 6 goals for the U’s. Saah then teamed up again with Martin Ling when he joined United in the summer of 2011. He was made club captain in his first season and helped lead the Gulls to the Play-Offs where they were defeated by Cheltenham Town. Saah stayed for the following season and in total went on to make over 75 league appearances at Plainmoor. The defender then made the move to Dagenham & Redbridge where in two seasons he played over 60 games for the Daggers. A loan move to Woking in 2015 led to a permanent move to the Cards and in his two seasons he made over 80 appearances scoring three times.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 0– 0 Dagenham & Redbridge, 21st September 2019, National League.
United had to settle for a hard-earned point in a rare goalless draw against Dagenham & Redbridge at Plainmoor. It was United who created the better chances early in the game with efforts from Joe Lewis and Matt Buse narrowly missing the target. The Daggers got into the game more as the half wore on with Lucas Covolan standing firm and leaving the United goal untouched.
The second half began with the visitors testing Covolan, in particular a James Dobson goal-bound effort which the United stopper did well to tip around the post. The Dagenham pressure continued and United were thankful in the 57th minute as Harry Phipps’ shot struck the crossbar with Covolan stranded. A Ruairi Keating run into the box just after the hour mark was ended by an untidy challenge but despite the protests the referee waved away the penalty claims. More chances came and went for the Daggers, before late in the game Keating was fouled on the edge of the box. A trademark Jake Andrews free-kick went up over the wall and with the Dagenham keeper beaten came crashing back off the bar in the last chance of the game and the points were shared.