Wood strike proves the difference in disappointing Daggers defeat

Colin Munford at Adams Park Saturday, January 19, 2013
5.15 PM

League Two: Wycombe Wanderers 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

Former Daggers’ triallist Sam Wood struck the only goal of the game as John Still’s side fell to a disappointing defeat at Wycombe.

In truth there was little goalmouth action in a scrappy game where both teams struggled to liven up the cold crowd at Adams Park.

Still kept faith with the same side that won late on against Rochdale last weekend and it was a positive start from the visitors.

Skipper Abu Ogogo’s early effort was off target and the same player challenged Chairboys goalkeeper Jordan Archer for a dangerous Gavin Hoyte ball in.

But slowly the hosts came into the game and Daggers goalkeeper Chris Lewington gathered Dean Morgan’s free-kick.

On the quarter of an hour mark Sam Williams saw a speculative volley wide of the mark after strike partner Brian Woodall had done well to chest down Scott Doe’s long ball.

Just short of the half hour Jo Kuffour paced clear of the Daggers defence and forced Lewington out of his goal.

But the former Gillingham front man opted to square for former Dagger Stuart Lewis but Lewington raced across his goal-line to deny the midfielder.

And with 32 minutes on the clock Wycombe finally prevailed when Kuffour played in Wood on the left and his effort across goal nestled into the back of the net.

Daggers hoped for a quick response and Howell saw an effort saved by Archer before the half was out.

After the break the visitors had their chances and Archer was on hand to deny Scott Doe’s header from a Saunders corner.

Still brought on youngster Louis Dennis for his first-team debut and though the Daggers huffed and puffed, there wasn’t much in terms of goalscoring opportunities.

Wood saw another fierce effort pushed behind for a corner up the other end, while Saunders curled an effort over the bar.

And in time added on came Daggers’ best chance as Scott Doe found himself in a forward position but blazed the effort wide.

Despite the disappointing result Daggers remain in 13th place in the table, though they are now six points off the play-off places.

Dagenham & Redbridge: Lewington, Hoyte, Doe, Wilkinson, Ilesanmi, Elito (Caprice 68), Howell, Ogogo, Saunders (Bingham 68), Williams, Woodall (Dennis 59)

Unused substitutes: Seabright, Scott, Reed, Maher.

Attendance: 2,365