A ruthless attacking display from John Still’s Dagenham saw Bromley not only suffer their first defeat of the season but also return from East London with tails firmly between their legs.

In truth the four goal margin of defeat could have been wider as Bromley comfortably put in their worst performance of the season. At times such was the fluidity of the attacking transition play from the home side that it felt like Bromley were simply chasing shadows.

Having been beaten in last season’s playoff semi-finals on the strength of this performance and their unbeaten start to the season one can make the assumption that Dagenham will once again be in the promotion mix come season’s end.

The Daggers started the match much the better and served early warning of their intentions when Corey Whitely’s clever free kick forced David Gregory into a smart save at his near post.

It didn’t take the home side long to take the lead, Michael Cheek took advantage of some loose Bromley defending to surge into the penalty area before producing a fierce finish across Gregory into the top corner.

Fejiri Okenabirhie could and should have increased the lead when he volleyed wide from 10 yards out after he pounced on a weak defensive clearance.

Completely against the run of play Bromley then equalised with their first and only real effort of the game. Neat one touch interchange between Adam Mekki, George Porter and Louis Dennis led to Mekki playing in Luke Wanadio who cut in from the edge of the penalty area to curl a sumptuous strike beyond Mark Cousins.

That was to be as good as it got for Bromley as the Daggers simply upped the ante and took the game away from Bromley over the remainder of the contest.

Within four minutes of the Bromley equaliser Dagenham retook the lead, Sam Ling was played into open space on the right wing and his excellent cross was powerfully headed home by Cheek.

On the stroke of half-time Dagenham made it three a short corner was worked to Andre Boucaud and his cross was headed in by a completely unmarked Kevin Lokko.

The second half witnessed no change in the one-sided nature of the contest as the home side dominated the half with the Bromley backline being continually run ragged by the Dagenham front four.

Within five minutes of the restart Morgan Ferrier could have scored two goals, firstly he was unlucky to see his 25 yard strike crash against the post with Gregory beaten before he shot wildly over the bar from inside the penalty area following great work from Whitely.

Despite using all three substitutions Bromley failed to make any impression on proceedings as the game continued to resemble one way traffic.

Whitely again went close when his shot from distance shaved the crossbar but Dagenham were not to be denied 16 minutes from time.  Ferrier received a ball, just inside the 18 yard box, with his back to goal but the former Boreham Wood top scorer showed all his class to turn his defender and slot past Gregory with ease.

That Dagenham had highly sought after striker Oliver Hawkins on the bench was testament to their strength in depth and the substitute nearly added to the scoreline ten minutes from time. Following more great Dagenham build up play Hawkins ended the move with an effort that whistled narrowly past the post.

Whitely was not to be denied his goal to cap his fantastic performance and when it came it was the best goal of the game. A short free kick routine between Boucaud and Whitely led to the latter smashing into the top corner from 30 yards out to cap the rout.

There was still time for late efforts from distance for both Whitely again and Joe White but neither was able to increase the scoreline.

For Neil Smith’s men the defeat was no doubt a chastening experience but one that should teach him more about his squad than the five previous unbeaten games. For much of the second half the game resembled men vs boys and with Sutton up next on Bank Holiday Monday it represents an immediate opportunity to address the weaknesses.

 

Dagenham and Redbridge: Cousins, Ling, Robinson, Lokko, Pennell, Robson, Boucaud, Okenabirhie (Howells 73), Whitely, Ferrier (White 77), Cheek (Hawkins 52)

Subs not used: Justham, N’Gala

 

Bromley:  Gregory, Rees, Chorley, Holland, Dennis, Mekki, Wytner, Sterling (Johnson 67), Wanadio (Allen 62), Porter (Williams 55) Sutherland.
Subs not used: Raymond, Higgs

Attendance: 1,415 (Bromley 160)

Referee: Mr Alan Young