Dagenham & Redbridge frustrated by Oxford stalemate

Debutant Aidan Francis-Clarke had a header cleared off the line, while Chris Haigh denied Josh Rees with a superb save late in the first half.

And Ryan Hill hit a post after the restart, before Daggers captain Elliot Justham denied Josh Ashby.

Haigh produced another stunning stop from Charley Kendall late on as the National League contest ended goalless and Strevens told the club website: “We’ll take the point and the clean sheet, but we’re a little bit frustrated we didn’t perhaps get a bit more.

“I thought they were better than us probably first 15-20 minutes of the game.

“We grew into it a little bit more, gained some control. We had some real good moments to try and get that goal, just didn’t quite do it.

“It wasn’t for a lack of effort or trying but the keeper pulled off a couple of really good saves.

“The one late from Charley was really good and the one where he tipped Hilly’s onto the post. Reesy in the first half as well where he saved it.”

Luton loanee Francis-Clarke came into the starting line-up in place of the suspended Harry Phipps, following his red card at Chesterfield.

And Strevens was pleased with his efforts, as well as those of West Ham youngster Keenan Appiah-Forson.

“First 15 minutes, especially getting used to a couple of checks on the pitch, a couple of balls over the top for Tavs [Nik Tavares] and Aidan quite early were tricky to deal with,” he added.

“He grew into the game. I know he’s a good player, I’ve seen lots of him, I knew last year how well he did at St Albans.

“He’s really assured and a calm player for someone so young. I think he can be really pleased with his debut and Keenan coming off the bench as well showed some really good moments. He’s been training really well, so I’m pleased for him as well.”

City had scored 12 goals in their previous three games and Strevens said his players should look at the positives of keeping them off th scoresheet in their stalemate.

“They’ve come in so frustrated and disappointed they’ve not got the three points,” he said.

“But I watched them against Boreham Wood, they were excellent, against Solihull Moors, who were flying at the top of the table, they went and got three goals there and a point.

“And Hartlepool I’ve seen probably more than anyone in this league this year because we seem to keep following their games and they beat Hartlepool 5-2 last week.

“I think they will probably feel they wasn’t at their best today, but I keep saying to the boys about how hard they’re working to stop opposition being at their best and I think it’s credit to the boys how compact we were, we stopped them. 

“Yes they had moments, like there is in any game, but certainly didn’t feel like we were going to concede the goals they have been scoring.”

https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/23794572.dagenham-redbridge-frustrated-oxford-stalemate/

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