Matt and Ben strikes earn Daggers the points

10:59pm Friday 10th October 2008

Dagenham & Redbridge 2
Barnet 0
(League Two)

DAGENHAM leaped up to second in the table after a comfortale derby victory over Barnet this evening.

Goals from Matt Ritchie and Ben Strevens was more than enough for the east Londoners.

The hosts were in control from the moment Ritchie headed them into the lead on nine minutes.

The on-loan Portsmouth winger grabbed his second in two games when he headed Sam Saunders' excellent back post cross into the bottom corner.

Barnet enjoyed ample possession but never looked threatening.

Daggers on the other hand, were comfortable without playing at their best.

Solomon Taiwo's rasping drive cleared the bar, while Peter Gain's hooked volley went over by inches.

Taiwo went closer soon after, flashing a header onto the inside of a post from Saunders' whipped free kick.

At the other end, Tony Roberts got down well to palm away Neal Bishop's low drive.

Dagenham upped the pressure in the second half but found Lee Harrison in fine form.

The Bees keeper made a fantastic double save moments in the half, first parrying Saunders' long range drive, and then doing well to keep out Ritchie's fierce drive on the follow up.

But he had no chance with Daggers' second just after the hour mark.

Paul Benson slid a pass back to Strevens. His first touch was woeful, but he chased down Joe Devera's clearance, deflecting it into the Bees net.

Ritchie then had a great chance to put the game beyond doubt, latching onto Taiwo's though ball but firing high and wide with only Harrison to beat.

Barnet had their best opportunity seconds later, John O'Flynn finding himself with Roberts to beat but dragging his effort wide of the target.

That effectively ended any chance the visitors had of getting back into the game.

Benson saw his late header cleared off the Bees' goal line by Ashley Carew as Daggers moved to kill the game off.

But the damage was already done.

Dag & Red: Roberts, Foster, Okounghue, Arber, Griffiths, Saunders, Taiwo, Gain, Ritchie (Nwokeji 85), Benson, Strevens. Subs not used: Thompson, Huke, Southam, Nurse.

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