Cherries: Daggers drawn as title race hots up (From Bournemouth Echo)

Cherries: Daggers drawn as title race hots up

11:46pm Tuesday 24th November 2009

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BATTLING Cherries lead League Two by a single point after securing a hard-fought draw against promotion rivals Dagenham and Redbridge tonight.

With both teams cancelling each other out for much of an evenly-contested opening half, it took until the second period for the goalscoring chances to come.

Eddie Howe’s men had opportunities to claim maximum points, with the excellent Jason Pearce heading over, while Ryan Garry and Brett Pitman also came close.

But in the end, Cherries would have been happy with their point as the Daggers came within inches of a winner on more than one occasion, with Shwan Jalal and his defenders performing bravely under late pressure.

Cherries boss Howe was forced to make one change to the side which recorded a fine win at Macclesfield, with utility man Lee Bradbury serving a suspension.

In-form Anton Robinson moved to right-back, with experienced playmaker Sammy Igoe returning to the midfield quartet for the Daily Echo-sponsored match.

A bumper 6,881-strong crowd braved the blustery weather – and traffic chaos in and around Bournemouth – to witness the eagerly-anticipated clash.

Those arriving on time caught a glimpse of the sort of form which has carried Cherries to the top of the division as early as the sixth minute.

Top scorer Brett Pitman combined with Alan Connell to send Igoe clear on the left. His quick cross found Liam Feeney whose first-time shot failed to match the quality of the build-up as it flew wide.

The visitors, however, with just two away defeats in eight games going into the match, wasted no time in demonstrating their intent, creating two clear opportunities in quick succession.

First Darren Currie, on loan from Chesterfield, smashed an 18-yard shot narrowly over on nine minutes, before Paul Benson saw his header saved by Jalal after the lively Currie had turned provider.

Decent chances in front of goal became increasingly rare as the opening half wore on, with the two hard-working teams both proving difficult to break down.

While Dagenham caused Cherries problems through their busy front pairing, the hosts tried to play their way through the well-organised visitors with a series of passing moves.

But this method only brought brief glimpses of joy, primarily when Feeney was sent clear on the right flank.

If Feeney was looking a threat for Cherries in the first half, then it was Benson who provided the main danger at the other end.

He almost ran through the Cherries defence on 31 minutes, only for Marvin Bartley to time his tackle to perfection and prevent a clear opening for the Daggers top scorer.

Starved of goalmouth action in the first period, the crowd didn’t have to wait long for chances after the break.

It took two exceptional challenges to deny goals at both ends as the half got under way.

Dagenham’s Danny Green was first to come close when he crept in at the far post on 54 minutes. Jon Nurse got the better of Pearce to create the chance and Green looked odds-on to score after rounding Jalal, only for Robinson to save the day with a brilliant covering tackle.

Within seconds, Igoe appeared to be in on goal after a Pitman pass, but Scott Doe produced a fine interception.

Cherries finally tested Tony Roberts in the 59th minute as the visiting keeper, who enjoyed some banter with the home crowd throughout the second half, reacted well to keep out Pitman’s deflected shot.

Next it was Jalal’s turn to show his qualities as Cherries enjoyed a lucky escape. Doe rose highest to meet Currie’s swirling corner and the ex-Tottenham Hotspur trainee got down just in time to stop the ball crossing his line.

While Cherries called on veteran targetman Steve Fletcher to bolster their attack, it was Daggers who looked most likely to steal the points.

Only a last-gasp clearance from Pearce prevented Nurse from netting with 13 minutes remaining after Benson had cleverly nodded the ball across goal.

With both teams striving for victory, the game was more open and chances followed.

Substitute Josh McQuoid almost had an immediate impact when his cross found Pitman, but the Cherries forward saw his low shot deflected agonisingly wide of the far post.

The action switched straight to the other end and a combination of Jalal and Garry managed to scramble clear after excellent work from Green on the right wing. With time running out, Cherries almost had the final say, but Pearce headed a glorious chance over from eight yards, before defensive partner Garry fired wide from close range, as honours ended even between the two promotion hopefuls.

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