Match Report: Dagenham & Redbridge

The game started at a fast tempo with both sides creating early opportunities. On four minutes, Riley Court burst into the box before laying the ball off to Hamzad Kargbo whose curling effort went over the bar. Then, moments later, Lenny Holden was called into action as he made a decent save to deny Harvey Broad.

John Gilbert’s ball into the box was pushed away from goal by Sam Howes. The ball came to George Fowler’s whose fierce effort was on target but he was denied by Corey Panter who flung himself in the way to make a fine block with his chest.

Then on 10 minutes, Dagenham scored. A long throw was flicked on by Dylan Stephenson and Joe Haigh was alert to score from close range.

It wasn’t long until Maidstone equalised. With sixteen minutes played, a corner from Court was met by Kargbo who powered his header into the net.

Five minutes later, the Stones edged in front. A corner came across to Fowler who lifted the ball back across goal and David Agbontohoma’s header squeezed in at the near post to give the Maidstone defender his first goal for the club.

The game then settled down and it wasn’t until the later stages of the half that there was much else in the way of goalmouth action. On 39 minutes, a corner from Dagenham lead to a scramble in the box with Court doing well to get the ball away from the line to deny Christian Maghoma before Corey Panter fired over.

There wasn’t that much to note in the second half either, apart from a couple of bookings and a host of substitutions. On 52 minutes, George Marsh was shown a yellow card for bringing down Court close to the edge of the area. Court got up to take the resultant free-kick but sent it over the bar.

Not long after this, Jephte Tanga passed to Sam Corne. Corne’s low effort was beaten away from goal by Howes. Then on 69 minutes, Corne’s cross was parried by Howes and Tanga saw his shot blocked. This was the last time that either side threatened though as the Stones comfortably defended the remainder of the game to ensure the victory.

Maidstone United: Hamzad Kargbo 16, David Agbontohoma 21

Dagenham and Redbridge: Joe Haigh 10

Maidstone United: 13. Lenny Holden, 3. Leo Hamblin, 5. George Fowler, 6. TJ Bramble, 7. Jephte Tanga, 8. Sam Corne, 10. John Gilbert, 15. David Agbontohoma, 17. Riley Court (11. Jamie Yila 73), 23. Hamzad Kargbo (9. Deon Moore 45), 24. Taylor Foran. Subs not used: 2. David Sesay, 14. Mark Boruk, 19. Ruben Carvalho, 30. Chris Swift.

Dagenham & Redbridge: 13. Sam Howes, 2. Dermi Lusala (25. Reggie Young 67), 3. Christian Maghoma, 4. George Marsh, 6. Corey Panter (14. Aramide Oteh 80), 8. Christian N’Guessan (28. Rafiq Khaleel 67), 11. Joe Haigh, 18. Dylan Stephenson, 21. Harvey Broad (22. Matthew Hayden 67)​​​​​​​​​​​​​, 24. Nortei Nortey, 30. Paul Mbiya-Kalambayi. Subs not used: 1. Ben Nightingale, 15. William Lannin-Sweet, 17. Trent Mahorn.