Abu Ogogo (left) beats Russell Penn in Daggers 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham. Pic: Dave Simpson/TGSPHOTO

Ogogo upbeat despite Cheltenham defeat

Joshua Richards Monday, August 20, 2012
5:49 PM

Daggers skipper Abu Ogogo was determined to draw on the positives of his team’s 2-0 defeat

Skipper Abu Ogogo believes there were plenty of positives to take from Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Cheltenham Town.

For the second time in three seasons Daggers opened a league campaign with defeat.

But, having matched the Robins – who finished sixth last season – for long periods at Whaddon Road, Ogogo’s optimism of a strong season ahead has not been dampened.

The result wasn’t the best, but I thought the performance was actually good,” he said. “I felt we were unlucky in the first half. We were better going forward than we were against Coventry (on Tuesday).

“So we can take a lot of positives out of the game, but it’s just the result that wasn’t right.”

In an even contest Daggers were undone by a goal on the stroke of half-time when Sam Deering found space in behind the defence and crossed for Shaun Harrad to finish.

And, shortly after the restart Jermaine McGlashan struck a spectacular long-range effort beyond the reach of Chris Lewington.

Ogogo felt McGlashan’s policy of trying his luck and backing his shooting ability is something his own team-mates could adopt going forwards.

“I thought we were a bit unlucky in front of goal,” said the 22-year-old.

“I think we could shoot a bit more from outside of the area, you never know what can happen – one might take a deflection and go in.

“Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and say there is nothing we can do about that (McGlashan’s goal). He’s hit it in to the top corner from 30 yards.”

Daggers manager John Still echoed his captain’s thoughts and felt there were more positives than negatives to take from the narrow defeat.

“I thought the result was a little unjust, we were very good,” Still said.

“We were a little bit disappointed about the first goal, but there was nothing we could do about the second, they happen in football, but that was probably the only shot they had in the second half.”