Ahead of Moors’ FA Trophy trip to East London on Saturday, make sure to read all about Daggers’ FA Trophy history, route to the last 16 and where visiting fans can go for drinks prior to the game.
PUBS NEAR THE GROUND
DAGGERS' FA TROPHY HISTORY
Dagenham & Redbridge will be looking to go the furthest they have gone in the competition since the 2005/06 season, when Daggers fell at the quarter-final stage against eventual winners Grays Athletic.
The National League side have recently struggled to get past the early stages of the competition, but in their history have reached the quarter-finals twice and finished runners-up in 1997.
Dagenham’s narrow defeat in the 96/97 final was the end of a cup run to remember, as they saw off Aldershot Town, Dover Athletic, Chelmsford City, Morecambe, Ashton United and Gloucester City before losing to Woking at Wembley.
Following relegation to the Isthmian Premier League in the 95/96 season, Dagenham & Redbridge began their FA Trophy campaign with little expectancy of domestic success, never advancing past the second round of the competition since being formed in 1992.
Despite a lull going into the first game against the lower ranked Aldershot Town, Daggers ran out 3-1 winners away from home.
A trickier away tie awaited Dagenham & Redbridge in the next round as Conference Premier side Dover Athletic were next up.
The underdogs progressed by another two-goal margin, seeing off The Whites and already matching their best run in the competition.
Daggers found themselves playing another Conference side in the form of Morecambe two rounds later following a narrow home victory against Chelmsford City in the second round.
The first fixture ended in a goalless stalemate forcing a return fixture in East London, where they once again defied the odds to advance to the quarter-final by winning 2-1.
The Isthmian Premier League outfit were almost in touching distance of that elusive Wembley trip, when a single goal was enough to sneak past Ashton United.
Daggers were the favourites heading into their two-legged affair against Gloucester City in the next round, with the latter beating Bishop Auckland 4-3 prior to the semi-final.
After two legs and a replay, Dagenham & Redbridge eventually saw off The Tigers, winning 2-1 at Victoria Park in the third fixture to set up a Wembley final with Woking.
Despite the heavy underdog tag placed upon them, they battled hard and were unfortunate to lose 0-1 in extra-time to Woking, having played for an hour with only 10 men.
ROUTE TO THE LAST 16
Third Round
VS: Truro City
Ground: Treyew Road
Result: 1-1 (Won 4-2 on penalties)
With three disallowed goals, a late equaliser and a thrilling penalty shootout, it’s fair to say Dagenham & Redbridge’s first fixture of this year’s campaign certainly made for an exciting watch.
After a goalless first half, Daggers’ had to find the net three times to break the deadlock as two goals from corners were chalked off for fouls inside the box, before Josh Walker put his side ahead with a glancing header in the 76th minute.
Truro also had a goal ruled out for an offside, before Andrew Neal drilled home the leveler with two minutes left.
Daggers had a perfect shootout converting all four penalties, whilst the White Tigers saw two spot kicks saved meaning the former advanced to the next round.
Fourth Round
VS: Southend United
Ground: Chigwell Construction Stadium
Result: 2-0
The Daggers’ moved a step close to a potential Wembley trip when they defeated fellow National League side Southend United with a second half double.
United started the brighter out of the two sides, causing all sorts of problems to Dagenham’s defence and would’ve been in front had it not been for Joey Jones being on the line to clear Josh Coulson’s effort away.
Having survived until half-time, Daryl McMahon’s side hit two quickfire goals as the match edged closer to the hour-mark.
A Mo Sagaf header and an easy tap in for Junior Morias sealed Dagenham’s place in the Last 16 of the competition as Daggers netted twice in eight minutes.
