Report

A bright and sunny Sunday morning with Herongate hosting Dagenham is this final league match of the season. Realistically, Herongate were not expecting anything from the game based on Dagenham's form and the score in the reverse fixture.

Herongate were Dagenham's equal during the first period of play, but then on 14mins Dagenham's persistence paid off with a pass inside from wide on the left  allowing a free shot to make it 1-0. However, within a couple of minutes Herongate made it 1-1 after some excellent work down the right by Dan who crossed the ball behind the defence where Ben rose at the far post to meet the ball and head it powerfully into the net.

The remainder of the half sees Herongate work very well to prevent Dagenham adding to their score despite a succession of corners. A good half for Herongate as it finishes 1-1.

Dagenham start strongly in the 2nd half and an attack sees them awarded a free kick from which Jack clears off the line but the ball is judged to have crossed the goal line. 2-1 to Dagenham. Within a few minutes though Herongate's own persistence sees Michael head down on the edge of the box and Ben denied a goal-scoring opportunity to be awarded a penalty. Josh steps up and cooly slots home from the spot to make it 2-2.

However, Dagenham come right back on 18mins with a slice of fortune as Alex and Nqobile do not clear the ball between them and Dagenham latch onto the loose ball to score into an open goal to make it 3-2. From then on, Herongate struggle a little to contain Dagenham and an eventful last 10 minutes sees them increase their lead. First to 4-2 with a well worked pass over the Herongate defence and a shot low past Alex, then not able to clear the ball Herongate allowed Dagenham to extend the lead to 5-2. It could have been six had Alex not done well to save a Dagenham penalty after he'd held back their striker.

Overall a not unexpected 3 points to Dagenham but Herongate played well and battled well for much of the game being on a par until mid-way through the second half. 

Herongate will have to wait a week though to find out whether they will remain in Division 1 next season.