It’s Part One of a Kent v Essex Easter double-header as the Fleet travel to Dagenham & Redbridge on Good Friday before taking on Southend United on Easter Monday. Both opposition have much riding on the games for different reasons – Dagenham to avoid the drop, Southend chasing the play-offs.
Form guide
Dagenham are fourth from bottom in the National League table and are five points away from safety below Wealdstone and Boston United. A mixed run of recent form has seen them pick up two wins, two draws and a defeat in their previous five fixtures but with teams around them winning, they have dropped into the relegation zone. The more worrying stat is they have won only two of 18 matches since beating the Fleet on New Year’s Day.
Dagenham were as high as eighth earlier this season and had a good FA Cup run but since the departure of previous manager Ben Strevens, they have slid down from 14th place.
Previous affairs
Dagenham secured the three points in the reverse fixture on New Year’s Day with Shiloh Remy and Jake Hessenthaler on the scoresheet. Easter Monday at Dagenham last season was a close battle between the two sides and Billy Clifford’s added time equaliser saw the spoils shared as the Fleet pushed for survival.
Who’s who?
After the departure of popular long-term goalkeeper Elliott Justham, Dagenham have tried several replacements. The latest man between the posts is ex-England youth international Jake Turner who arrived on loan from Gillingham late last month. He has played more than 50 times for the Gills and also turned out for Morecambe and Colchester United.
Josh Rees joined the Daggers in June 2023 following a move from Boreham Wood, where he had spent two seasons. The 31-year-old is closing in on 100 appearances for the Daggers and has scored 29 times in his time. Rees has also previously played for the likes of Gillingham, Chelmsford City, Bromley and Aldershot.
Christian N’Guessan needs little introduction having signed for Dagenham at the beginning of the campaign following his departure from relegated Sutton United. The former Fleet man began his career in the Blackpool and Burnley youth setups, moving to the Fleet in 2021 where he was part of the NLS title-winning side.
The manager
Lewis Young, brother of Everton’s Ashley, was initially in interim charge of the Daggers following the departure of Ben Strevens in December. He secured a contract as permanent manager but a poor run of form has seen his side drop into the relegation zone.
Ticketing info
Information about Friday’s fixture can be found here. There is also a Kids for a quid offer here.
