Essex Senior Cup Second Round: Dagenham & Redbridge 3 Concord Rangers 4

Dagenham & Redbridge 3 Concord Rangers 4

Daggers let a 3-0 lead slip as they were dumped out of the Essex Senior Cup last night at Victoria Road.

And the visitors had striker Harry Elmes to thank as he netted a second half hat-trick to give the Ryman Premier side an unlikely victory.

There was a first start for Kevin Maher after almost a year on the sidelines with a foot injury, while boss John Still also included first teamers Gavin Hoyte, Matt Saunders, Dominic Green, Brian Woodall, Jake Reed and Jordan Seabright in the starting line-up.

There was also 90 minutes for coach Darren Currie, while another, Wayne Burnett was also named on the bench.

Daggers took the lead in the 14th minute when Jack Connors ball into the box was headed home by an impressive Reed, and it was doubled eight minutes later.

A piercing throughball from Saunders played in Reed whose shot was only blocked by Concord goalkeeper Michael Jordan straight to Rouchy Efambe and he tapped in from close range.

And though the Beachboys came back into the game towards the end of the half, they found themselves facing an uphill battle a minute into the second period when Reed produced a stunning finish across goal past Jordan.

But then came the Concord revival.

After 48 minutes Adie Osifuwa’s centre found defender Steve King in the box and he headed past Seabright.

Danny Cowley’s visitors then pulled a second back when Jerome Walker was pulled down in the box by half time substitute Daniel Rumens and Elmes netted his first.

King played a pivotal in what was the equaliser after 62 minutes when he headed Danny Spendlove’s corner into the feet of Elmes and from close range the former Hornchurch striker turned and fired home.

Buoyed by their improvement they sealed the win eight minutes from time when Osifuwa’s ball into the box was headed past Seabright for a memorable victory.

Daggers: Seabright, Florence, Connors, Maher, Hoyte, Green, Efambe, Saunders (Rumens 46), Woodall, Reed (Monsheju 84), Currie.

Unused substitutes: Daniel, Burnett, Bowles.

Attendance: 152