Not since that pulsating play-off semi-final clash with Forest Green Rovers in 2016 has a game at Victoria Road held so much significance. Already embroiled in a certain survival battle which promises to be challenging, frustrating and painful, we're in a situation where nothing but a victory will be good enough tonight. It may seem slightly early to refer to any game as a 'must win', but such is the severity of the situation, that it deserves such a label.
The fact that we're only in the first week of September creates the impression that the season is barely underway. However, tonight's game is the ninth we would've played. The longer that the wait for a victory goes on, the harder it'll be as more pressure falls on the players. Therefore, it's vital that we get that first three points' haul as soon as possible because it really could spur us on as the schedule continues to throw up difficult games. There won't be a better chance, therefore, to win than tonight in what is a battle of both remaining winless sides. Braintree Town, having miraculously beaten three higher-placed teams away from home in the play-offs to earn promotion to this league, have struggled massively so far. They're in exactly the same situation as us so, unlike Saturday's clash with Salford at Victoria Road, neither will be content with a point. It's all or nothing. This has the look of a game which could be potentially defining, one of those that you look back on as a turning point. With tight margins playing such a huge part in this division, the three points at stake tonight could be the ones we wouldn't be able to survive without. However, if we lose - which is a thought that doesn't bear thinking about - then already we are playing catch up and the lost points will conversely be the ones which, upon reflection, we see as a missed opportunity. The game that got away, the one where we just fell short, and ultimately paid the consequences. That's not an option. Braintree are undoubtedly a poor team but, like us, seem like much a better side than results suggest. In drawing at home to Hartlepool, and repeating the feat away at Boreham Wood, as well as getting a point at Barnet, the Iron have succeeded where we failed recently and already that shows that they're no pushovers. Not only have their three accumulated points been earned against teams who defeated the Daggers, but they've been resilient enough to come from behind in two of those. So we have two teams who have been slightly unfortunate. Similarly to how Daggers were beaten at high-flying Halifax, for example, Braintree were unfortunate to lose against Havant & Waterlooville, in a game where they were 3-2 up with stoppage time on the horizon, yet somehow contrived to lose 3-2. Elsewhere, they've been beaten yet not disgraced against Halifax, then-soaring Chesterfield, Maidenhead and Barrow. Their on-pitch situation is very similar to ours. While Brad Quinton's outfit were earning a draw at Boreham Wood, the Daggers faced the monumental task of Salford City. They escaped with a point made attainable by Danny Lloyd's petulant red card, though should've done more when faced with ten men. Both their points have come at home to ten men, which isn't great, but recently the Daggers have been good, cut out the mistakes and genuinely it seems as if that elusive win really is looming. A first clean sheet of the campaign, especially against a star-studded attack, supports the idea that our fortunes are changing and we're learning from our mistakes. However, with two first-choice centre-backs going off through injury against the Ammies, we may be weaker tonight. Hopefully, though, it as purely through precaution and the two players (Pennell & Davey) will be back to produce another solid display at the back tonight. So where does that leave Peter Taylor? Well, his situation remains largely the same. Recently, with a quick-fire turnaround of games, he's made changes in order to give some players a rest. we saw this with Noel Leighton playing against Barnet and so, after consolidating his place at the weekend, we may see Adeloye back in the starting lineup. Kandi and Phipps, both omitted for unknown reasons, may return to the squad. Donovan is back and we need him in that midfield. Assuming the worst, which would mean Davey and Pennell are both out, then three centre-halves becomes impossible to employ, unless Hoyte plays there temporarily. He would likely convert Will Wright back to his natural position and he would probably partner him with Goodliffe, who was superb Saturday. This would mean Donovan would probably take Wright's place in the centre. However, hopefully Pennell and Davey are unharmed, so Taylor can name his strongest lineup. Justham, Gordon, Goodliffe, Davey, Wright, McQueen, Harfield, Robinson, Donovan, Romain, Adeloye, Reynolds is the likeliest lineup, though it's difficult to anticipate. Pennell has been rested before so even if he is fit enough to play tonight, could be rested as he was against Barnet. The biggest task of that team would be to restrict Mo Bettamer to very little in terms of an attacking capacity. We can't give away cheap free kicks either - their star man has scored two stunners from distance already so far. So the stage is set for a match which is going to be crucial. As a spectacle, it will be cagey yet entertaining as both teams go for the victory, given that such an opportunity may not arise again. The league tabel tells the story: Dagenham 24th, Braintree 23rd, both winless. Please, let tonight be the night where we get our reward, because everybody around the club deserves it richly. All that's left to say is COME ON YOU DAGGERS, but now we have to leave it to the boys. They know the importance, and will be confident. Striding of the pitch on Saturday, Peter Taylor said 'It'll be three Tuesday' - he better be right.
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January 2024
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