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| Man Of The Match - Mike Symons |
Billy Murphy opened the scoring in the 18th minute, before Lance Smith added a second nine minutes later. Jack Deaman then gifted the visitors a goal as he turned the ball into the back of his own net. Michael Cheek then equalised for the London-based club in the second half, but Mike Symons was on hand to smash home a penalty with 13 minutes left.
Following last Thursday's FA Cup loss against Fleetwood, Pete Beadle rung the changes with six different faces coming into the side. Among the changes saw Alex Harris handed his second start since rejoining the club, as well as Cameron Pring returning at left-back and Lance Smith up front.
With the expectation of another difficult game, Hereford started surprisingly brightly with a free kick in a dangerous position with eight minutes on the clock. Jamie Bird failed to keep his shot down as it sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.
At the other end of the park, Corey Whitley's powerful effort towards goal took a deflection off Jack Deaman, and the following corner was eventually smothered by Alex Harris.
A well-worked attack down the right ended in Pablo Haysham directing a headed effort towards goal, but it lacked the power he would have wanted and was an easy save for the keeper.
Another chance for Haysham followed, but he saw his low drive deflected behind, and it was from the corner that the Lilywhites took the lead. As the ball was played out to Billy Murphy, he fired an effort past visiting keeper Mark Cousins.
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However goal number two was just around the corner, as nine minutes later Lance Smith scored his first goal since November's 5-0 home win against Hitchin. A poor clearance fell nicely to Smith who made no mistake in slotting the ball home to double the advantage.
After rarely threatening, Dagenham were gifted a goal by Hereford's Jack Deaman on the half hour mark. Michael Cheek's ball across the face of goal was turned into the back of his own net by Hereford's vice-captain.
A quieter period followed with neither side creating many meaningful chances before the break.
HT: Hereford 2 - Dagenham and Redbridge 1
Dagenham had a number of half chances after the break as they searched for an equaliser. Firstly, Morgan Fraser's effort was well-saved by Harris, before Hereford were lucky not to concede after Cheek somehow blazed his shot over. Corey Whitely almost got his name on the scoresheet, but once again Harris was on hand to deny the Daggers an equaliser.
After another quieter period, an equaliser for the visitors did come with twenty minutes left on the clock. Substitute Daniel Sparks made progress down the right wing before playing in a cross. But after Alex Harris failed to keep hold of the ball, Michael Cheek was left with the easy task of tapping the ball across the line.
With the game at risk of going to a replay should the scores remain level after ninety minutes, the Bulls upped their game and were soon back in front.
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| Jamie Bird With A Shot At Goal |
Captain Jimmy Oates' strong header deep into stoppage time denied Kevin Lloyd a final chance on goal, with Hereford deserved winners on the day.
FT: Hereford 3 - Dagenham and Redbridge 2
Att: 1,518 with 65 in the away enclosure
Sponsors' MotM: Mike Symons
Hereford: Harris, Oates (c), Pring, Murphy, Preston, Deaman, Preen (Mills - 84'), Bird (Purdie - 84'), Smith (Reffell - 66'), Haysham, Symons.
Subs not used: Green, Horsell.
Dagenham and Redbridge: Cousins, Doe (c), (Sparkes - 59') Howell, (Robinson - 86') Adams, (Bloomfield - 67') Ferrier, Boucaud, Lokko, Ling, Cheek, Whitely, Howells
Subs not used: Moore, Pennell.
Next Game: Kettering Town Away on Tuesday 19th December at 7.45pm