Dagenham & Redbridge 1
(Marsh 74′)
United 0
Jimmy Ball’s first game in charge ended in defeat, as a single goal proved decisive in East London.
George Marsh’s opportunistic effort eventually sealed all three points for the Daggers, despite United laying siege to their opponent’s goal in the dying minutes.
Ball made two changes to the side that ran out 2-1 winners over Chesham 7 days ago, with his first Gulls XI seeing new signing Deon Moore make his debut alongside Matt Carson, who was making his first start of 2025/26 after being recalled from his loan spell at Weymouth. Jordan Young and Will Tizzard were the two to drop out through illness and suspension respectively, whilst an otherwise young-looking bench was boosted by the return of fit-again pair James Hamon and Sam Dreyer.
All there were no goals in the first 45 minutes, with Stan Leech’s close-range header forcing a good save from Seb Stacey, whilst at the other end, Jordan Dyer and Dylan Morgan both saw efforts just miss out on the touch required to give The Gulls an interval advantage.
After a relatively open first half, the second period saw the two sets of defences largely cancel each other out.
Moore’s foray into the box nearly sparked excitement amongst the travelling support on 63 minutes, however his square ball to Matt Jay caught the former Exeter man out, and he was unable adjust his footing in time to work the Daggers’ keeper.
The decisive moment of a tight game came with 16 minutes remaining.
Dagenham, who had won a string of corners, eventually made one count, as Marsh’s flag-kick curled over the head of Stacey and dropped just inside the far post.
Rather than wilt, that goal sparked United to go up a gear in the dying stages in a bid for a late leveller.
And they nearly got it.
A spot of pinball inside the home penalty area saw Jay, Ed Palmer and Dyer all go close to forcing the ball home with a minute to spare, before Jay’s 25 yarder three minutes later forced Howes into a full-length parry, with Moore just unable to reach the loose ball in time.
All attention now turns to Tuesday, as Ball’s first appointment with Plainmoor’s Yellow Army sees his new side lock horns with league leaders Dorking.
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE: 13. Sam Howes, 3. Christian Maghoma, 4. George Marsh, 17. Trent Randall (2. Dermi Lusala, 79′), 18. Dylan Stephenson, 20. Kayden Harrack (6. Corey Panter, 85′), 21. Harvey Broad, 23. Conor Lawless (24. Nortei Nortey, 67′), 25. Reggie Young (8. Christian N’Guessan, 90+5′), 29. Stan Leech (14. Aramide Oteh, 62′), 3. Paul Kalambiyi.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Ben Nightingale, 15. Will Lannin-Sweet.
Yellow Card: Kalambiyi 88′
UNITED: 15. Seb Stacey, 3. Jay Foulston, 4. Jordan Dyer, 11. Dylan Morgan, 14. Matt Carson (29. Aidan Edwards, 80′), 16. Ed Palmer, 17. Sonny Fish (5. Sam Dreyer, 58′), 19. Deon Moore, 20. Dan Hayfield, 24. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, 27. Matt Jay.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. James Hamon (GK), 38. Fin Herbert, 40. Coby White.
Attendance: 2,023 (376 away)
