Key Points
- Dagenham & Redbridge played a goalless draw away at Bath City at Twerton Park.
- Lee Bradbury praised his team’s defensive resilience and application despite no goals scored.
- Bradbury emphasized that winning and drawing games can become a habit, feeling his team is moving towards consistency.
- The Daggers had better chances, with Andy Carroll’s one-on-one saved and Joe Haigh close to scoring late.
- Tactical changes involved pushing attacking players forward in the last 20 minutes.
- The team kept a clean sheet, the third in five league games, showing improved defensive organisation.
- Bradbury singled out George Gitau’s return from illness and praised his pace and dual defensive/attacking role.
- The coach thanked the travelling supporters for their backing and highlighted strong team-fan unity.
- Dagenham will next face Tilbury in the FA Trophy at Victoria Road.
What was Lee Bradbury’s assessment of the team’s performance against Bath City?
As reported by the Dagenham & Redbridge official website, Lee Bradbury described the Daggers’ defensive performance as “top” after their 0-0 draw at Bath City’s Twerton Park. Bradbury highlighted the team’s hard work and defensive resilience, acknowledging how difficult it is to win games at any level. He said,
“Losing can become a habit — and winning and drawing games can become a habit as well. I think we’re tilting over the edge now to become the latter part of that sentence, and that’s impressive because everyone’s really buying into the hard work that winning games demands.”
He praised the players for their graft and application during the match, stating the team nullified Bath City’s attacking threats well.
How did Dagenham & Redbridge approach the match tactically?
Bradbury explained that with 20 minutes remaining, the Daggers became more attacking by introducing wingers as wing-backs to push forward. Despite creating opportunities, including a notable saved one-on-one chance by Andy Carroll and Joe Haigh nearly scoring late on, the team could not find the decisive quality to score. The manager said,
“We went on and tried to win the game… We just couldn’t quite find that little bit of quality to make the difference.”
This strategic shift illustrates the team’s intent to assert dominance and strive for victory even in tough away fixtures.
How significant is the defensive solidity shown by the Daggers?
The clean sheet at Bath was the Daggers’ third in five league outings, marking a clear contrast from earlier in the season, such as their 5-2 defeat against Worthing. Bradbury commended the defenders’ organisation and concentration, noting,
“I thought we applied ourselves for 90 minutes in terms of work rate and desire. We were resilient and nullified them to hardly anything — I don’t think Sam Howes had a save of real note to make.”
This strong defensive shape is a hallmark of the team’s upward momentum, cementing a foundation for better results in ongoing fixtures.
Who were the standout individual performers according to the manager?
Bradbury acknowledged George Gitau’s return to the starting XI following illness, spotlighting his pace and ability both in defence and attack. He said,
“George has been training on his own for a while and he’s still getting up to speed. He’s got real pace and 1v1 ability, and he’ll get better every week. He’s a good lad with the desire to defend and attack — that’s why he makes a good wing-back.”
Additionally, Andy Carroll was involved in key attacking moments, though ultimately unable to convert.
How did the fans influence the team’s performance?
Bradbury expressed gratitude towards the 120 supporters who travelled to Somerset to watch the game. He emphasised the growing bond between the team and fans, saying,
“They want to see blood, sweat and tears — and they saw that again today. We might have lacked a bit of quality, but that comes with confidence. We’re proud of them for backing us, and I think they’re proud of us too. No club is successful without everyone pulling in the same direction, and I really feel we’re getting to that now.”
This shows the crucial role of fan support in the club’s journey towards sustained success.
What is next for Dagenham & Redbridge following this draw?
Dagenham & Redbridge are set to return to Victoria Road where they will host Isthmian League team Tilbury in the FA Trophy on Saturday. This fixture will be an opportunity for Bradbury’s side to build on the defensive solidity shown against Bath City and push further in cup competition. The focus remains on maintaining the momentum developed from recent performances.
