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The Shrimpers, whose noisy supporters made up the majority of the 263 crowd, were undoubtedly in control of this match from start to finish, and they gave themselves a great early adavantage by scoring twice within seconds in just the sixth minute. Firstly a loose ball dropped pervectly for Newman who, 25 yards from goal, hit a beautiful half voilley which flew into the top left hand corner past Daggers goalkeeper Andy Lomas. Then, literally moments later Barrington Belgrave raced through on goal before rounding Lomas and slipping the ball into the path of Mark Salter who had the simple task of slotting the ball into the unguarded net.
Things almost got even better for Southend five minutes later, but Stuart Thurgood's long range drive crashed off the crossbar before Clark could only direct his rebound at the out-stretched body of Lomas. Salter then also came close, chipping a shot just over the bar.
The woodwork came to the rescue of the home side once again on 28 minutes as Clark, latching onto a neat Belgrave through ball, saw his deflected shot bounce wide off of the foot of the post.
The stroke of half time brought the first real effort of the match from the home side, winger Yohance Lewis seeing his curling shot easily dealt with by Flahavan.
Dagenham had their best spell of the game just after half time, and this period resulted ihn the Daggers pulling a goal back, Steve Vaughan neatly chesting the ball down before neatly half volleying a low angled shot past the dive of Flahavan. Another effort from Lewis dropped just wide of the upright on 57 minutes before Southend regained their two goal lead just a minute later, Clark's snapshot was parried by Lomas and the ever-alert Salter was on hand to stab home the rebound.
Lomas did well to hold onto fierce effort from Thurgood before a Tilson free kick was headed into the danger area by Tom Jordan where Salter rose highest but his header dropped into the grateful arms of Lomas.
Southend completed their well-earned victory however on 81 minutes, a well executed through ball by Salter sent 16-year old substitute Joe Ilett clean through and the nippy first year scholar finished the rout with a neatly chipped finished past the onrushing Lomas.
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As the match approached its finale, both Gray and Salter had efforts hacked off the goal line when a Tilson corner was never properly cleared and Ilett stabbed a shot just off target as the final whistle saw a somewhat comprehensive victory for the Shrimpers which sees them through to the Semi-Final stage of the Essex Senior Cup.
DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE (4-4-2):- Andy Lomas; Lee Goodwin (Charlie Ball 80), Tom McGowan (Ben Tomlin 77), Steve Potts, James Quilter; Jamie Murat, Steve Vaughan, Mark Rooney, Yohance Lewis; Tristian Chambers, Martin Tuohy (Steven City 73).
SOUTHEND UNITED (4-4-2, with ratings out of ten):- Darryl Flahavan 7 (Daniel Gay 73, 7); Flory Zinga 7, Steve Tilson 7, Tom Jordan 8, Jamie Gray 8; Rob Newman 8, Stuart Thurgood 7, Anthony Clark 7 (Michael Kightly 67, 7), Neil Jenkins 6; Barrington Belgrave 7 (Joe Ilett 58, 8), Mark Salter 8. Unused sub - Daryl Plummer.
TLG MAN-OF-THE-MATCH: Mark Salter.
A difficult decision following a good all-round performance from the Shrimpers, but the TLG vote goes to Mark Salter. The former Frome Town striker put in one of his best displays since signing for United and claimed two very neatly taken goals which have helped see his side through to the semi-finals.
MATCH STATS
Goals:
Dagenham: Vaughan 53 (half volley; inside area). Southend: Newman 6 (half volley; outside area), Salter 6 (side-footed shot; inside area), Salter 58 (shot; inside area), Ilett 81 (chip; inside area).Bookings: None.
Shots/headers on target: Dagenham 3, Southend 13
Shots/headers off target: Dagenham 3, Southend 4
Blocked shots: Dagenham 3, Southend 0
Hit woodwork: Dagenham 0, Southend 2
Free Kicks: Dagenham 6, Southend 5
Corners: Dagenham 7, Southend 6
Offside: Dagenham 3, Southend 3
Match Time: First half: 45:41. Second half: 48:01. Total 93:46.
Attendance: 263
Referee: Colin Overall (Essex) 8 out of 10
Mark Wallis
www.thelittlegazette.com
- STOP PRESS - The draw for the Semi-Finals of the Essex Senior Challenge Cup will be made on Friday lunchtime live on BBC Essex. Southend United, having reached this stage for the first time for five years, will face either Billericay Town, Aveley, Heybridge Swifts or Chelmsford City as they bid for a place in the final.