TT REVIEW

Jonny reports back on the defeat in East London

DAGENHAM AND REDBRIDGE 1-0 TORQUAY UNITED – 21.03.2026

SUMMARY

Jimmy Ball’s first game as United boss ended in frustration rather than celebration, as The Gulls were left to rue missed chances in a narrow defeat in East London.

This match had the feel of a 0-0 you endure, not watch. But one moment of fortune – and a big slice of it – was to separate the sides. George Marsh’s corner somehow found its way over everyone and into the net, and that proved enough for Dagenham & Redbridge to walk away with all three points, despite the Gulls throwing everything at them late on.

Ball made two changes from the side that beat Chesham the week before. New signing Deon Moore was thrown straight in for his debut, while Matty Carson made his first start of the season at right back after returning from Weymouth. Illness and suspension ruled out Jordan Young and Will Tizzard, respectively. James Hamon and Sam Dreyer returned to the bench.

The first half was all huff and puff. Stan Leech tested Seb Stacey with a close-range header that the United keeper did well to keep out, while at the other end Jordan Dyer and Dylan Morgan both came close to giving the Gulls the lead. You felt like United might regret not taking one of their chances. That feeling, unfortunately, proved justified.

The second period was a scrappy affair, with United edging territory. Moore showed flashes of what he might bring, bursting into the box just past the hour and squaring for Matt Jay (f**king SHOOT!), but the chance fizzled out.

Then came the moment that decided it. With 16 minutes left, Dagenham won yet another corner, and Marsh’s inswinger drifted over everyone, including Stacey, and dropped straight into the far corner. Whether it was meant or not, it counted all the same, and suddenly United had a mountain to climb. Dagenham never really looked like scoring, and as United fans know all too well, it was looking like another one of those days.

To their credit, the players didn’t shrink. If anything, the goal finally sparked the urgency that had been missing. United pinned the Daggers back and went desperately close to grabbing a point. A chaotic scramble in the box saw Matt Jay, Ed Palmer and Jordan Dyer all have stabs at forcing the ball over the line, only for it to somehow stay out. Moments later, Jay unleashed an effort from 25 yards that Howes could only spill to Moore, but the no.19 was just a step too slow to pounce on the rebound. Moments later, a Daggers’ defender controlled the ball with his arm in the area. Penalty surely? 350+ Yellow Army screamed for a pen. Nothing doing.

On another day, United get something from this game. On this one, they were left with nothing but what-ifs and a long trip back down the A303 wondering how they didn’t at least come away with a draw.

There’s no time to dwell. Attention now turns to Tuesday night, when Ball gets his first taste of Plainmoor as boss against league leaders, Dorking. Vital players are needed to come back, will Young, Dennis or Jordan Thomas be fit enough to play some part? We really need players to run through walls. Will there be a couple of incomings? As we’ve said so often this season, a big response will be needed.

PLAYER RATINGS

15. STACEY – 6: Made a good stop in the first half. Not much to do in the second, but looks to be at least partly at fault for the goal. United players wanted a foul, I haven’t seen it back yet, but I think it would’ve been soft.

3. FOULSTON – 6.5: Mr Reliable. Would like him to get forward more.

16. PALMER – 7: Didn’t put a foot wrong next to Dyer. Shifted to right back and never stopped running, nearly got on the end of a cross late on. If all our players matched his endeavour, I think we’d be higher in the table.

4. DYER – 7: Good to have him back, looks as solid as ever.

14. CARSON – 7.5: MOTM

20. HAYFIELD – 6: Worked hard, but lacked quality on the ball.

24. LO-EVERTON – 6: As Hayfield, never got going and wasted possession at times.

17. FISH – 5: Playing right midfield, no lack of effort, but looked a fish out of water.

27. JAY – 6: Gave the ball away too often. Needs to demand the ball where he is most dangerous.

11. MORGAN: 7 – Our main threat down the left-hand side, lacked composure in final third. Put some good balls across the box but nobody there to convert.

19. MOORE: 6.5 – Tough gig up top on his own, worked hard. Had to shoot when in on goal.

Subs

5. DREYER – N/A: Excellent to have him back on the pitch, even for only 15 minutes or so.

29. EDWARDS – N/A: Got involved and put some good balls into the box late on.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – MATT CARSON

Recalled from the fringes by Ball, the young Northern Irishman was thrown straight into the starting eleven. Deployed at right back, he showed the form that earned him a contract extension last season, getting up and down the flank, winning tackles and offering a threat going forward. Hopefully the late injury isn’t serious.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

The back four did well today and looked more solid than in recent weeks. It took a fluke to win the game and I’m not sure they can be criticised too harshly for that.

TACTICS

4-2-3-1. Matty Carson slotted in at right back. Hayfield and SBLE holding Matt Jay joined the three behind Moore, who led the line. There was absolutely nothing on the bench to change the trajectory of the game.

THE OPPOSITION

Not awful, not great. Never really looked like scoring. Celebrated like they’d won a cup final at the end.

THE OFFICIALS

Poor in my opinion. Some obvious fouls not given. How it’s not a handball and a penalty late in the second half, I don’t know.

CONCLUSION

Another away defeat: the table doesn’t look particularly pretty does it. We’re still in the play offs but it’s looking tougher and tougher. We simply need players back or some new faces through the door.

You can’t judge Jimmy Ball on today, it would be too soon anyway, but having a bench composed of academy players is a shambles and questions need to be asked. Have some players downed tools and not up for the fight? Injuries are part and parcel of sport, but it seems the squad was not built in a balanced way, with all the budget spent.

Although the bare minimum, the main positive today was the players never gave up, let’s hope the new manager can restructure the squad, focus minds and we give it a good go into the remaining games. As ever…