United 2
(Hall, 1′, Wright, 12′)
Dagenham & Redbridge 2
(Walker 30′, Balanta, 70′)
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Despite racing into a two-goal lead, United had to settle for a point against Dagenham & Redbridge at Plainmoor on Saturday.
The start made by Gary Johnson’s side was a perfect one. After skipper Asa Hall gave his side the perfect start with a first-minute goal, Danny Wright followed that up by doubling that advantage shortly after. The visiting side responded through Josh Walker though, and after Angelo Balanta restored parity in the second half, the game finished honours-even.
After kicking off 2022 with that double-clinching 2-1 win at Yeovil last weekend, the Gaffer made three changes to the starting line-up, with Harry Perritt, Keelan O’Connell and new signing Stephen Wearne taking the places of Chiori Johnson, Joe Felix and Klaidi Lolos.
The game was just 21 seconds old when The Gulls broke the deadlock. After picking up possession from O’Connell on the corner of the Dagenham box, debutant Wearne fed Dan Martin to his left, who provided a pin-point cross onto the head of Hall, who duly sent the ball past goalkeeper Elliot Justham’s outstretched hand and into the back of the net.
Despite the conditions not being entirely conducive to passing football, the subsequent minutes saw the men in yellow produce some fine moves, with one defence-splitting pass from O’Connell sending Wearne on his way towards goal, with the on-loan Sunderland man sending a left-footed strike into the ‘keeper’s palms from the edge of the box with six minutes on the clock.
United’s newest addition was certainly enjoying himself, and five minutes later he threatened once again, picking up on a loose ball inside the penalty area before sending in another low effort, which this time forced the Daggers’ glovesman to dive across the face of goal to keep it out. It was to prove only a temporary reprieve though.
A 12th minute delivery from the left of the box from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans was met at the back post by Joe Lewis, who in turn headed the ball into the path of Wright, allowing the centre-forward to nip in front of Justham and lash home from close range.
United continued to look dangerous in attack, however the visitors started to enjoy a bit more possession as the half wore on, and in the 25th minute an unfortunate slip from Dean Moxey allowed Walker space to turn inside the box, prior to curling an effort wide of Shaun MacDonald’s far post.
Five minutes later though, the lead was halved.
Myles Weston’s corner found Angelo Balanta rising highest, and although MacDonald did well to parry the initial effort, the ball fell kindly into the path of Walker, who prodded home from point-blank range to make it 2-1.
There was drama at both ends in the 39th minute, as Wearne played O’Connell into a bit of space 20 yards out, however with the angle against him and defenders well-placed, his strike failed to seriously threaten the Dagenham stopper. Moments later, and it took an amazing goalline clearance from Moxey to keep his side in front, as Weston’s shot eluded MacDonald.
Johnson’s men held firm until the interval thereafter, as his side sought to re-establish their early dominance in the second period.
They nearly made another dream start, as a ball over the was perfectly timed to see Wright run on to it, however despite taking the ball down well ahead of Justham, he sent his shot wide of the upright, rather than inside it.
It was undoubtedly a let-off for Dagenham, and they nearly made it count seconds later, as Junior Morias’ powerful shot from fifteen yards out saw MacDonald produce an excellent save to keep it out.
On 53 minutes he equalled that with another marvellous parry, this time denying Mohammed Sagaf from 22 yards.
With the game hitting the three-quarter mark, a United corner nearly brought its reward, however after the half-clearance drifted across the area and found Ben Wynter ten yards out, his rushed effort lacked the required direction and sailed over the Wollens Terrace, much to the Yellow Army’s frustration.
Try as they might, Torquay couldn’t maintain possession for any substantial period, and with the pressure beginning to tell, the visitors finally levelled things up on 71 minutes.
After doing their utmost to soak up another Daggers attack, the ball fell to Balanta on the edge, with the Columbian’s right-footed curler leaving MacDonald stranded before landing into the back of the net.
As the match headed into the final ten minutes, The Gulls were forced to soak up more pressure, although a neat header from Dan Holman from Martin’s left-wing cross did give Justham something to think about, before MacDonald saved Sam Ling’s cross-shot with an outstretched boot.
There were howls for a penalty after Holman went down inside the penalty area with five minutes to go, as United went in search for another late winner, however neither side could find the breakthrough though, with both sides having to settle for a share of the spoils.
A slightly disappointing end after such a promising start, however United’s improved form continues, with everything still very much to play for.
UNITED: 37. Shaun MacDonald, 2. Ben Wynter, 3. Dan Martin, 7. Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, 8. Asa Hall (c) (30. Dan Holman, 76′), 9. Danny Wright, 12. Stephen Wearne (19. Klaidi Lolos, 83′), 15. Harry Perritt, 16. Keelan O’Connell, 21. Dean Moxey, 31. Joe Lewis.
SUBS NOT USED: 1. Mark Halstead, 5. Ali Omar, 27. Byron Moore.
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE: 1. Elliot Justham, 2. Callum Reynolds, 5. Will Wright, 7. Josh Walker (9. Paul McCallum, 64′), 8. Mohammed Sagaf, 10. Angelo Balanta, 11. Myles Weston, 19. Sam Ling (20. Mauri Vilhete, 89′), 24. Junior Morias, 26. Joe Jones, 28. Yoan Zouma.
SUBS NOT USED: 6. Kenny Clark, 16. Harry Phipps, 21. Ibby Akanbi.
Attendance: 2,339 (79 away)