Preview | Dagenham & Redbridge (H)

2 February 2024

Rochdale AFC vs Dagenham & Redbridge | Vanarama National League, Saturday 3rd February, Crown Oil Arena, 3pm Kick-Off

Dale are back at home this weekend for the first time in four weeks, as we welcome Dagenham & Redbridge to the Crown Oil Arena.

Get ready for the game by reading all of the pre-match build-up below.

MATCHDAY GUIDE

Coming to Saturday’s game? Check out all of the information you need to make the most of your visit HERE.

TEAM NEWS

Cian Hayes re-joined Dale on loan for the remainder of the season this week, but will miss this weekend's game due to injury.

Jimmy McNulty said that the winger may miss next weekend's trip to Altrincham, but if he does, he should be close to a return following that game.

Kairo Mitchell was back training on the grass on Thursday, so could have a chance of returning to the squad on Saturday.

THE OPPOSITION

Dagenham have been playing National League football for eight seasons now, including the current campaign, following their relegation from League Two in 2016.

The Daggers have secured three top-ten finishes during that time, finishing fourth in their first season in the National League, losing out to Forest Green Rovers in the playoff semi-final. The Essex side have finished 10th and 8th in their previous two campaigns.

Ben Strevens' men were in action on Tuesday night as they faced a trip to Solihull Moors. Dion Pereira, on loan from Premier League side Luton Town, scored for Dagenham in the 89th minute to cancel out Josh Kelly's penalty, securing a point on the road.

Inih Effiong has proved to be a real goal threat in the National League, scoring 82 goals in 241 appearances. Effiong signed for the Daggers midway through last season, joining from Aldershot Town in February 2023. The forward scored nine goals for Dagenham in that period, taking his tally to 26 goals in all competitions last season.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the 13th meeting between the two sides.

Dale have won six of those, whilst Dagenham have won five times, with the remaining two games ending as draws.

The meeting earlier in the season at Victoria Road ended 2-1 to Dale, thanks to an unbelievable strike from Cian Hayes and a classic Hendo chip.

Run it back 🔙@CianHayes7 | #RAFC pic.twitter.com/WEvzFML4pe
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) February 2, 2024

MAN IN THE MIDDLE

Sam Mulhall will be the referee for Saturday’s game. This is his second season refereeing in the National League.

Wayne Cooper and Simon Robinson are the assistant referees, with Graeme Kearney as the fourth official.

FOLLOW THE ACTION

All Dale fans, whether in the UK & Ireland or overseas, can watch the game live from home via the National League TV platform. Click HERE for full details.

There will also be live updates via the club’s official twitter account.

Match Previews

Match Reports

Report | Dale 1-2 Dagenham & Redbridge

3 February 2024

Dale suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday afternoon.

A double from Inih Effiong, either side of a Tyrese Sinclair special, saw the visitors take a 2-1 lead into half-time, which they ultimately held on to.

Jimmy McNulty made two changes to the starting eleven from last weekend’s defeat at Aldershot Town, as Kyle Ferguson and Jimmy Keohane came in for Max Taylor and Finlay Armstrong. Cameron John reverted to left-back, whilst Kairo Mitchell returned to the squad after two months out through injury.

Also on the bench was Under-16 Academy player Mateus Mane, who has been a regular for the Youth Team this season.

The visitors started the better of the two teams, as Keenan Forson forced home debutant Tiernan Brooks into a save, before Dagenham took the lead in the ninth minute.

Effiong was played through into the penalty area, before finishing powerfully from close range.

Following the goal, Dale took control of possession, with D’Mani Mellor and Sinclair both seeing shots blocked.

However, five minutes before the break, Sinclair netted his 11^th of the season to bring Dale level. He was found by a great through ball, before cutting back on to his right inside the area and curling one into the far top corner.

In the final minute of added time though, the visitors were awarded a penalty, as Keohane was adjudged to have brought down Ryan Hill. Effiong stepped up and converted the spot kick.

After the break, Dale resumed control of possession, with Kyron Gordon firing a shot wide and Sinclair hitting a swerving free-kick which was beaten away well by visiting goalkeeper Elliot Justham.

Mitchell made a return from the substitute’s bench as Dale tried to carve out a chance for an equaliser.

The visitors put men behind the ball and broke when they had the opportunity, with Brooks making good saves from Sam Ling and substitute Dion Pereira.

Mitchell headed a corner wide in added time, in what was Dale’s final chance, as they fell to defeat.

Dale XI | Brooks, Gordon, Ferguson, Ebanks-Landell (89’ Armstrong), John, Gilmour, East, Keohane (59’ Mitchell), Sinclair, Henderson, Mellor (66’ Uchegbulam).

Unused subs | Taylor, Mane.

Standings