Dagenham & Redbridge 2
(Rodari 40′, 67′)
United 0
United went down to their first defeat of the season at Victoria Road on Saturday, as a goal in each half secured victory for the hosts.
Davide Rodari’s goal just before the interval gave the Daggers the lead, and when he repeated that trick midway through the second period, United already left with a mountain to climb. Dan Hayfield’s red card moments later effectively put paid to any realistic hopes of a fightback, meaning Torquay left East London empty handed.
Boss Jimmy Ball made two changes from the side that drew with Weston-super-Mare on Tuesday, with Munashe Sundire and Dylan Morgan coming into the starting eleven in place of Isaac Westendorf and Hayfield, who both dropped down to the bench.
After a scrappy opening to the game, United began to take charge.
Nathan Ashmore was twice called into action to deny Dylan Morgan and Dom Bernard from putting The Gulls in front, and although they were relatively comfortable interventions, it was still against the run of play when the home side took the lead five minutes short of the break.
Callum Morton, eager to lead a charge out of the Gulls’ penalty areas was robbed of the ball, and with Archie Tamplin alert to the opportunity, his ball across the face of goal was stabbed home from close range by Roadri, despite Jake Wannell’s best efforts.
It nearly got worse in first half stoppage time as Kayden Harrack rattled United’s crossbar, leaving Ball’s men with work to do at the change of ends.
They certainly set about things well enough following the restart, with substitutes Isaac Westendorf and Louis Dennis both threatening a leveller, as The Gulls began the second half in the ascendnacy.
However, just as the game entered its final quarter, things took a decisive turn for the worst from a TUFC perspective.
After United were unable to fully deal with a long throw into their penalty area, Rodari made the most of the half chance by hooking his volley round a United defender and into the corner of the net to make it 2-0.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Hayfield’s introduction – ironically for his 100th appearance – ended in the worst possible way in double-quick time, as the midfielder was given his marching orders for a mistimed aerial challenge.
Try as they might, Ball’s side didn’t really threaten a leveller from then on, with the focus now switching to a return to Plainmoor on Saturday, as Hampton & Richmond try to prevent The Gulls chalking up their first home win of the season.
DAGENHAM: 1. Nathan Ashmore, 3. Liam Vincent, 5. Sam Graham, 7. Davide Rodari ( 29. Stanley Leech, 78′), 8. Harry Beautyman (17. Kymani Thomas, 77′), 12. Hanry Hawkins, 14. Antony Papadopoulos (11. Noah Coppin, 90+2′), 18. Archie Tamplin (19. Charles Clayden, 84′), 22. Kayden Harrack, 24. Josh Addae, 38. Timothee Dieng.
SUBS NOT USED: 6. Jet Dyer, 15. Jack Bateson, 28. Alfie East.
Yellow Card: Addae 36′, Harrack 46′, Ashmore 90+1′
UNITED: 1. Toby Savin, 2. Dom Bernard, 5. Sam Dreyer, 6. Munashe Sundire (20. Dan Hayfield, 67′), 11. Dylan Morgan (9. Cody Cooke, 75′), 14. Deon Moore (19. Isaac Westendorf, HT), 15. Kian Jenkins, 16. Jake Wannell, 18. Matt Worthington (c), 27. Matt Jay (7. Louis Dennis, HT), 39. Callum Morton (10. Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, HT).
SUBS NOT USED: 13. Zak Baker, 3. Tyler Hill.
Yellow Card: Sundire 15′, Morgan 66′
Red Card: Hayfield 68′
Attendance: 1,897 (346 away)
