MATCH PREVIEW – DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (A) | Boreham Wood Football Club

Dagenham & Redbridge vs. Boreham Wood
Tuesday 5th April 2022, 7.45pm
Chigwell Construction Stadium Vanarama National League

THE CONTEXT

This Tuesday, Wood make the trip across London to face Dagenham & Redbridge. The Daggers have been unable to maintain a consistent run of form in recent weeks with two wins and two defeats in their last four games, but are just three points below their opponents ahead of Tuesday’s fixture Wood saw their unbeaten home run come to an end on the weekend against Woking, and will be determined to pick up their first victory since February to avoid dropping below their hosts.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”
CALLUM REYNOLDS

30-year old central defender Callum Reynolds has amassed 177 National League appearances, proving himself as one of the most reliable defenders in the division. He signed for Luton Town and Portsmouth during the early days of his career, before dropping to the non-league with the Wood and helping the club win promotion to the Conference, where he would play 31 times. His good form at the heart of the defence earnt him a move to Aldershot Town, featuring 87 times and being a part of two failed play-off attempts. Two seasons at Barnet was then succeeded by a move to Dagenham & Redbridge, where he has been a mainstay.

“THE PLAYMAKER”
MYLES WESTON

Veteran winger Myles Weston began his career in the youth team at Arsenal, but soon made the switch to the Charlton Athletic academy where he remained for seven years. He was unable to break into the first team at the Valley and departed without a senior appearance to his name, making a loan move with Notts County permanent in July 2007. After two years at Meadow Lane he returned to London with a move to Brentford, preceding spells at Gillingham, Southend United and Wycombe Wanderers that saw him notch over 320 Football League appearances. He dropped into the National League ahead of the 2017/18 season and made the switch to Ebbsfleet United, impressing with his pace and versatility on either flank to score seven times in 27 appearances in his final season for the Fleet. His time at Stonebridge Road came to an end in February 2020 when he left for league rivals Dagenham & Redbridge, joining up with former manager Daryl McMahon whom he worked with at Ebbsfleet. The 34-year old has been a mainstay in the Daggers team this season, making more appearances than any other outfield player.

“THE FINISHER”
JOSH WALKER

A Fulham academy graduate, Josh Walker initially began in the youth setup of Tottenham Hotspur before making the move across London, making 28 appearances over two seasons in the Premier League 2. Following his release from the Cottagers he joined Hendon for the 2017/18 season, finding the net 17 times in 42 appearances. His performances for the Greens caught the eye of recently relegated National League side Barnet, making the short trip after just a season at Silver Jubilee Park. The forward enjoyed a successful stint at the Hive, scoring 12 times and contributing to three assists in 56 appearances, even helping the Bees reach the 2019/20 play-offs. His three-year spell came to an end in July 2021 when he made the switch to Dagenham & Redbridge, and he has scored his nine times in his debut season at Victoria Road.

LAST TIME WE MET

Boreham Wood 2-0 Dagenham & Redbridge
Saturday 9th October 2021
LV BET Stadium Meadow Park, National League

Two second half goals from Jamal Fyfield and Josh Rees was enough to see the Wood overcome Dagenham & Redbridge with a dominant display in front of their biggest crowd of the season.

It was the visitors who came out the blocks quickest and forced a succession of corners early on, with Joey Jones and Paul McCallum both going close. The Wood began to take control of proceedings and produced their first opening when Fyfield headed over the bar from a Rees corner, with the home side growing in momentum. The Wood defender had to be alert at the other end of the pitch to block Josh Walker’s goal-bound effort shortly before he shot another chance wide. Tyrone Marsh and Scott Boden then both tested Elliot Justham on the stroke of half time, with the Daggers keeper ensuring it was goalless at the break. It wouldn’t remain goalless for long though, as just after Will Evans had a shot cleared off the line, his defensive partner made his chance count when Gus Mafuta’s effort was palmed into the path of Fyfield who finished well past Justham to break the deadlock. It took just ten more minutes for the Wood to double their lead, with Rees slamming his effort home after being picked out by Marsh. The visitors struggled to get a foothold of the game with Boden going close to adding a third, although former Wood man Angelo Balanta had a few rare chances to halve the deficit late on, but the hosts were able to hold on for another crucial three points.