Dagenham & Redbridge 1 :  0 Hartley Wintney

Only a Mitch Brundle penalty separated the sides in East London as semi-Professional Hartley Wintney did all they could against Dagenham and Redbridge, but it was the National League team who bagged their place in the 1st Round Draw of the FA Cup.

Hartley Wintney play in the Southern League Premier Division South, however, the part-timers pushed Dag and Red all the way, in what was a brave and strong showing from the ‘The Row’

The game started with Hartley on the front foot.

There was an energy and vibrancy to their play, as they moved the ball well, and tried to play their style, and not be on the back foot against their visitors from the off. Kingsley Eshun forced the first attempt of note, after a quick free-kick caught the Daggers off guard. Eshun had little option other than the shot, and his effort went into the side-netting.

Hartley’s keeper Luke Williams made a great save a few minutes later after a quick Daggers counter down the left was cut into Sam Deering, who’s first time low drive was saved by the feet of Williams. Down the other end, Sam Argent dribbled his way past two Daggers defenders, and tried a shot from range. It was powerful and on target, but easy for keeper Elliot Justham.

It was a great entertaining start to the game, however Hartley were dealt a blow, when a cross from the right hit Hartley’s left-back Tom Bird’s arm. It was one of those that we have seen a lot this season. The arm was raised, due to Bird running, and it was very close range, giving Bird no chance, but they are becoming more and more common. The penalty itself was hard, low and straight down the middle by Mitch Brundle.

Hartley’s heads didn’t drop, as they were roared on by the Chairman and other board members in attendance. They did not stop supporting their team, and cheering them on.

Hartley were the only team to look like scoring after the penalty, Eshun and Josh Webb, both had good shots saved. They enjoyed a lot of the ball and their build-up play was of that of a team above their level.

Half-time arrived, and you could sense that Hartley may have regretted missing chances.

Dag and Red looked a lot better in the second half, they controlled the play better, despite having less of the ball still. The defence was resolute, and they made Hartley play long balls forward, that the majority of the time, the Daggers defence cleared with ease.

Hartley failed to get their attacking rhythm going to anywhere near the standard we had seen in the first half. Their only clear chance of the half was when a through ball played in Mitchell Parker, who ran with the ball into the box. His effort was low, and powerful, but it was straight at Justham.

The game started to fizzle out. Hartley pumped the ball forward and pushed hard for the equaliser, but they could not find a way through a resolute Dagenham defence.

It was hard not to fall in love with Hartley

It only took a few minutes to fall in love with the semi-pros.

You could see the excitement and determination in the warm-up. The players had big smiles on their faces, the coaching team were putting them through their paces, and the board were there.

Throughout the game, the hierarchy of Hartley were cheering, pushing and of course, shouting at the ref too! You could see how much it meant to them to be playing this game, and also pushing a team of Dag and Red’s quality. Throughout the game, their attitude and work rate never faltered, and they exit the competition with their heads held high.

Man of the Match

Mitchell Parker worked hard at the top end of the pitch. He worked those Dagenham defenders hard, and did not stop running and driving all match. He was unlucky not to score with the opportunities he had, and did not waste any of them. His efforts were always on target, and that it credit to his work-rate, he did not waste a lot.

It is the Daggers who go into the 1st Round Draw, but they will need to up their game if they want to keep going, as this plucky club from much further down the pyramid showed how much determination and desire can play in a game.

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