.png)
3 weeks ago
13
This has certainly been a week to remember for three members of the Young family. Yet after Everton’s Ashley was cruelly denied the chance to face his son Tyler against Peterborough, Dagenham & Redbridge’s interim manager Lewis couldn’t quite conjure up an FA Cup shock as a bizarre improvised finish from Mihailo Ivanovic helped Millwall knock out the last non-league team still left standing in this year’s competition.
A trip to face Leeds in the fourth round awaits for Alex Neil and his side after second-half goals from Casper De Norre and the substitute Ra’ess Bangura-Williams on his debut ensured the former Norwich and Sunderland manager picked up a first win since taking over from Neil Harris. But the night still belonged to Dagenham and their supporters, who almost outnumbered a disappointingly low turnout from the home fans and made their presence felt throughout.
Young – who was appointed in his temporary role after the sacking of Ben Strevens on Boxing Day – had to wait another five days for his taste of third-round action after his brother Ashley and nephew Tyler had been on opposite sides. But the visitors could take inspiration from seeing Tamworth, who are currently 16th in the National League, one place behind the Daggers, take Tottenham to extra time on Sunday. Dagenham came through trips to AFC Wimbledon and Crewe in the previous rounds, although their last meeting with Millwall in 2012 ended in a 5-0 thrashing that included two goals from a certain on-loan striker called Harry Kane.
The hosts had to make do without the talented teenager Romain Esse as the England Under-20 forward closes in on a move to Crystal Palace, with Neil otherwise making three changes to the side that almost won at Sheffield Wednesday last week.
That was only his second match in charge since taking over from Harris and Neil has inherited a squad short on confidence thanks to a run of only one win in their last 11 matches. That was evident as Millwall failed to create a real opening until the 21st minute when Jake Cooper, the captain, fired over from close range after a corner.
Dagenham’s preparation for this game included team bonding outings to the Crystal Maze Live Experience, Laser Quest and Topgolf. They were happy to sit deep and soak up pressure, but that tactic backfired when George Honeyman found space down the left after another corner and he picked out Cooper, whose header was volleyed towards goal by Ivanovic despite being pulled back by a Dagenham defender. Elliot Justham, the Dagenham goalkeeper, did well to parry it, but a brilliant piece of improvisation from the Serbia striker allowed him to head the ball over the line while still on the ground.
That seemed to settle Millwall’s nerves yet Dagenham made it to the break without conceding again, even if they had barely threatened at the other end. But after Cooper had missed the target with a flying header at the start of the second half, the former Arsenal academy player Josh Rees finally had the visitors’ first sight of goal. His shot was blocked for a corner, from which Jake Hessenthaler forced Lukas Jensen into action for the first time.
after newsletter promotion
Dagenham’s hopes of causing an upset were ended when De Norre hammered home Joe Bryan’s teasing cross to the back post. Bangura-Williams – an academy product who signed a new long-term deal last week and is highly rated by the club – sealed Millwall’s progression to round four for the first time since 2020 with an excellent finish after a mazy dribble.
