The second Kent-Essex meeting in four days this Easter weekend sees the Fleet travel to Dagenham & Redbridge for the first time since 2020.
Form guide
A total so far of 53 points for Dagenham sees them 12th in the table and almost guarantees National League football for them next season. On Good Friday, Dagenham travelled to Boreham Wood where they put four past their opposition to secure a valuable three points on the road with goals from Ryan Hill, Inih Effiong and a brace from ex-Bromley, Gillingham and Chelmsford midfielder Josh Rees. Like the Fleet, Dagenham are amongst the leading teams in the form table, having dropped into the bottom four for a period earlier in the season.
Last time out
A tight affair at the Kuflink Stadium back in late October was heading for the Fleet’s first goalless draw of the season – but it would favour the visiting side when Charley Kendall snatched the three points for the Daggers in the second minute of added time.
Recent league visits to Dagenham have seen the Fleet win one and draw two of the last three, although as a National South side we lost 5-2 in the FA Trophy there last time out in 2020.
New faces at Chigwell Construction Stadium
Loan deals have been the preferred route for Dagenham lately. Dion Pereira is a 25-year-old midfielder who joined from Premier League side Luton Town while striker Dan Nkrumah arrived at the start of the month from Middlesbrough and he’ll know Bryant Bilongo from his time in the north-east. Shiloh Remy, a teammate of Franklin Domi’s at QPR, was recruited from Eastbourne Borough while Danny Kedwell’s son Harvey is on loan from Charlton.
Manager
Ben Strevens took charge of the Daggers following the departure of former Fleet manager Daryl McMahon in 2023. Ex-Eastleigh boss Strevens played for Dagenham back in 2006 until 2009 where he made 111 appearances.
Club connections
Fleet duo Darren McQueen and Mark Cousins spent separate spells at Victoria Road. McQueen made 33 appearances between 2020 and 2022 whilst Cousins was at the club for four years with 109 appearances to his name. It’s the first time in a while that no Daggers players have experience with the Fleet, Harvey Kedwell the nearest with his indirect link via dad Danny.
Ticketing info
See this post detailing Dagenham’s ticketing prices.
