By Ryan Brookes | Image by Mark Comer
The Minstermen are in need of a win this Saturday to bounce back and push away from the wrong end of the table, as they host a Dagenham and Redbridge side full of confidence.
Unlike City, the Daggers have had the advantage of a full week’s rest before they journey to North Yorkshire, and they will arrive here in high spirits, following their high-scoring victory last Saturday.
It is fair to say that the win over Oxford City was much more than convincing – Josh Rees was the hat-trick hero as Ben Strevens’ men cruised to a 7-1 triumph.
But that result does not sum up the start to 2024 that Dagenham have encountered. Their form has been very inconsistent, with two draws, three wins and three defeats making up the year so far.
Manager: Ben Strevens
Ben Strevens was appointed Daggers’ boss back in March 2023, and is now approaching his 200th game in management ahead of this weekend.
Formerly a Dagenham player from 2006-2009, the ex-striker managed 34 goals in over 100 appearances for them, after spells at Barnet and Crawley.
Strevens went on to leave the club for fellow London outfit Brentford, where he remained for a year, before stints at Wycombe and Gillingham followed prior to his return to Victoria Road in 2013.
It was only a short stay this time as he was released upon the expiry of his contract, and joined National League South side Eastleigh, becoming part of a league-winning team.
Strevens actually had two spells at the Spitfires, with a brief period at Whitehawk sandwiched in-between.
The 43-year-old got his first taste of management in 2016 when he acted as assistant manager at Eastleigh.
At Whitehawk, he briefly held the position of join caretaker manager before settling again at Eastleigh where he weaved his way into the manager’s role, and held that two years, leaving by mutual consent in 2022.
So far at Dagenham and Redbridge, Strevens has achieved a win rate of just over 30%, so there is certainly improvement to be had, but that will take time.
Top Scorer: Inih Effiong
One of the standout signings in last year’s campaign was Inih Effiong making the move from Aldershot Town to the Chigwell Construction Stadium.
And it comes as no surprise that the 32-year-old has hit the ground running since his arrival and carried his form over to this season.
His vast experience at these levels of the game across the years plays a huge part in that, and most importantly, he knows where the goal is.
Effiong has bagged 14 goals in 24 appearances as it stands, and will look to increase his scoring tally on Saturday.
He is no stranger to scoring against the Minstermen either, having done so in the Daggers’ 2-1 win last term.
Head-to-Head
Since 2005, City and Dagenham have faced off 19 times, with the London side picking up the majority of the wins.
On nine occasions have the Daggers claimed victory, while the Minstermen have overcome their opponents five times.
The most recent meeting ended in delight for City – after trailing for the best part of the second half at the Chigwell Construction Stadium back in October, Lenell John-Lewis and Dipo Akinyemi struck late goals to claim a dramatic 2-1 win for Neal Ardley’s men.
