MATCH REPORT: Chippenham Town 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge | National League South | Saturday 25th October
CTFC beaten by wonder strike.
We were left frustrated at the Thornbury Surfacing Stadium as we slipped to a narrow 1–0 defeat against Dagenham & Redbridge, despite an attacking display that merited far more than the score line suggested.
From the first whistle, the we looked up for the challenge, applying early pressure and controlling possession. Caine Bradbury and Tom Mehew combined well on several occasions down the right flank, with the first real chance coming when we floated a dangerous cross into the box that Bradbury met with a powerful volley, only for the Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper to pull off a fine save. Moments later, Mehew and Koszela both went close as our movement continued to stretch the visitors.
As the half wore on, the our persistence nearly paid off when Mehew drove through midfield and forced the Daggers’ goalkeeper into a smart stop low to his left. However, football’s cruel side struck in the 39th minute when the Daggers took the lead through Andy Carroll, finishing into the top corner against the run of play.
Half-time: Chippenham Town 0-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
Luke Haines almost levelled with an audacious strike from just inside his own half that the goalkeeper did well to tip over. From the resulting corner, Haines again went close, meeting Bradbury’s delivery with a thunderous header that was somehow kept out.
The Bluebirds’ bench injected further energy as Jake Evans, Harry Parsons and Will King entered the fray, immediately adding momentum. Evans came agonisingly close with a curling effort just over the bar, while Parsons’ flicks and hold-up play kept Dagenham pinned deep in their own half. As the clock ticked down, Koszela, Henry Sady and Sol Wanjau-Smith all tested the Daggers’ defence, but a combination of last-ditch blocks and brave goalkeeping denied the equaliser that the performance deserved.
Deep into stoppage time, appeals for handball inside the area were waved away before King produced a crucial block at the other end to prevent Dagenham from doubling their lead Despite the final whistle bringing disappointment, there was much to admire in Chippenham’s display — a performance full of energy, togetherness and attacking intent that showed why they remain a threat to anyone in the division.
