Raging Fever 4 Dagenham & Redbridge 5

James Longshaw

Dagenham & Redbridge claimed a rare victory after a narrow victory over Raging Fever in a thrilling encounter. With Accrington Stanley selling 14 tickets in advance for the main fixture, the chances of a morning game were limited. However, The Daggers kindly provided opposition on their way to Northampton.

Returning manager Nick Wehmeier had a strong squad to pick from as Fever looked to bounce back from defeat at Barnet the previous week.

Fever couldn't have asked for a better start. In the opening minutes, Fever dominated possession and looked sharp on the ball. Wehmeier's through ball found George Dugdale in acres of space and despite the visiting goalkeeper blocking the initial effort, the winger was on hand to tap the rebound home for his third Fever goal in four games.

Dagenham's problems were doubled moments later. Wehmeier raced in behind the opposition defence and although his effort was blocked by the goalkeeper, Fever kept the ball alive in the area. Wehmeier eventually knocked the ball down for James Longshaw to stab home. 2-0 with barely ten minutes on the clock.

It could have been even better moments later as James Simpson poked a Dugdale corner narrowly wide of the upright. Fever were in total control and looked set to run away with it. As Dagenham claimed the next four goals, it would appear that this attitude was a major issue.

Two goals in the space of as many minutes got the visitors back in level terms. Firstly, a long ball into the box met by the forehead of Simpson. Unfortunately, his header cannoned onto the head of one of Dagenham's numerous target men, before looping agonisingly over Joel Harrison's head in the Fever goal.

Seconds later, the same striker volleyed (sliced) a pass into the path of his more mobile strike partner, who didn't hesitate in slotting the ball low past Fever's stopper.

Fever rung the changes of the half hour mark but struggled to string passing moves together in opposition territory. They were punished shortly before half-time as another high ball caused mayhem in the Fever area. After several air-kicks and limp connections with the ball, a Dagenham striker took matters into his own hands by curling low into the corner of the net. As the half-time whistle blew, Fever were 3-2 down and in shock.

The half-time message went along the lines of 'must do better', but had little effect as Dagenham stretched their lead. The Daggers left winger was the first to collect a loose ball on the edge of the area and drove past the Fever defence before thumping his strike into the corner. Somehow, Fever had given themselves a mountain to climb.

Shortly before the hour mark, Fever were kindly handed a lifeline. A Dagenham midfielder inexplicably left his backpass twenty yards short, allowing the speedy Dominian to race clear, before lifting his effort over the advancing goalkeeper. The linesman momentarily raised his flag, only to be corrected by his colleagues who kindly informed him that the pass was far too accurate to have come from a Fever player!

As Fever hunted for their equaliser, Wehmeier was thwarted once more. The striker raced in behind the visitor's defence, but could only curl his effort wide as the goalkeeper was caught in no-man's-land.

However, the equaliser did come on the hour. The Dagenham defence were caught square and Longshaw calmly rounded the goalkeeper to double his tally. 4-4 with plenty of time to find a winner.

Both Dominian and Dugdale were thwarted by The Dagger's goalkeeper, who was having a fine day, with the latter also curling a free-kick harmlessly wide from a great position.

As is so often the way, as Fever looked to make their domination count, the visitors nicked the winner on the counter-attack. Dagenham's mobile striker was released into the inside-left channel and somehow slid the ball past the sprawling Harrison to send the travelling support (two) delirious.

A morning to forget for Raging Fever who somehow contrived to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Sloppy defending, poor quality on the ball and an inability to deal with burly target men proved to be the home side's undoing.

Fever: Joel Harrison, Paul Lucas, Robb Milne, James Simpson, Geoff Carter, George Dugdale, William 'Gobby' Gale, Stuart Burson, James Longshaw, Nick Wehmeier, Theo Dominian, Pat Wehmeier, Russell McSweeney, Andy Clyde.

Goals: Longshaw (2), Dugdale, Dominian.