Big Match Preview: Dagenham & Redbridge v Chesterfield

The high flying Chesterfield travel down to Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday to keep their impressive form going. 

Last time the two teams met it was the first time fans were allowed inside The Technique Stadium since the pandemic and the Spireites didn’t disappoint. They came out 2-1 victors through goals from Danny Rowe which gave them a perfect platform to get into the play-offs which they did in the end. 

That season Dagenham had a similar run to Chesterfield as early on in the campaign they found themselves towards the bottom of the table but with Daryl McMahon at the helm they managed to climb the table and just missed out on the play-offs. 

When the Spireites last traveled down to Victoria Road they came away with a point despite having ten men after ten minutes. Goals from Asante and Will Evans helped bring a point back to Chesterfield. 

This season the Daggers have been competing at the top end of the table along side the Spireites but more recently they have dipped in form. One win in their last five doesn’t sound like a dangerous side but their early form has kept them in the play-offs for now. 

Chesterfield on the other hand are going into the game in high spirits. Unbeaten in their last five in all competitions they have recovered from their slight ‘wobble’ in form and are looking like a side ready to fight for the title. 

The only negative for the blues at the moment is injuries which have been coming left, right, and centre in recent weeks. 

On Tuesday night during their 1-0 victory over Eastleigh Gavin Gunning and Jim Kellerman were brought off. Gunning has a suspected broken nose and Kellerman had a slight hamstring strain but despite this wanted to carry on. After the game James Rowe called out for protection for his players after their recent bad luck with injuries. 

On a positive note creative midfielder and ex Daggers player, Saidou Khan returned to the side early after he picked up an injury at Southend. 

Chesterfield could also be without star man Danny Rowe who missed Tuesday’s game through illness. The Chesterfield supporters will be hoping he is back in contention for what will undoubtedly be a cagey affair. 

Dagenham & Redbridge have threats of their own with the likes of Mo Sagaf, Angelo Balanta, and Myles Weston in their ranks. However, they will be without Paul McCallum who is finishing his three match ban. 

Despite the Daggers decent position in the table they only earned their second clean sheet of the season when they beat struggling Southend a couple of weeks ago which shows there is a real opportunity to put a few goals past a suspect defence. 

A win for the Spireites in this fixture could see them go top if Grimsby drop points against Notts County whilst Dagenham will be hoping County drop points in the same match as they creep ever closer to the top seven. 

After Chesterfield’s 1-0 victory over Eastleigh on Tuesday James Rowe spoke about how pleased he was with his team’s ability to win football matches in different ways. Admittedly Chesterfield didn’t play great against Eastleigh but they found a way to win and held onto another one goal lead which has at times been a problem for them. 

Another pleasing aspect of the win was the link up between the two frontmen Payne and Tshimanga which lead to the goal with Payne assisting Tshimanga for a tap in. That goal kept Tshimanga’s impressive scoring season going with 11 in 13 so far this season, a definite threat for Dagenham & Redbridge. 

It’s a clash between two young managers that has a lot on the line with both teams desperate for three points. The away side in good form travelling to a side who will be hoping to get their season back on track. Pick up your ticket and go support the Blues on their travels!