Dagenham & Redbridge praised by North Ferriby United boss Steve Housham, but he admits his side showed too much respect

North Ferriby United manager Steve Housham (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers receive praise from Villagers manager after National League success

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Dagenham & Redbridge may have been given too much respect in the first half by North Ferriby United in the first half of a 2-0 win in the National League according to Villagers boss Steve Housham.

Daggers took a 1-0 lead into half time after Oliver Hawkins headed in his ninth goal of the season, but were unfortunate not to be further ahead, with the tall striker guilty of missing two good chances while Jordan Maguire-Drew clipped the bar early on.

The second half saw the visitors offer greater resistance and the Humberside club went close to an equaliser through first Sam Topliss, who forced a good save from home keeper Elliot Justham, and later Simon Russell, who narrowly fired wide from close range.

Instead, the Essex club wrapped up victory when Luke Howell netted four minutes from the end, and while Housham says he can have few complaints with his team fared, he knows they stood off Daggers far too much in the first half.

“Dagenham are top of the league now, but we came down and gave it a right old go,” said the Villagers manager.

“I told the players before the game to be fearless, but I thought first half we respected them a bit too much.

“We looked too scared and there was no need to be.

“In the second half, we came out and gave it a right old go, but yet again the chances came back to haunt us.

“We didn’t put them away, and two clinical finishes by a good team has killed us today.”

As so often has been the case at Victoria Road this season, the away keeper was arguably the man of the match, with Rory Watson pulling off a string of impressive saves to deny Daggers.

The on-loan Hull City stopper saved well from both Corey Whitely and Hawkins in the first half, while after the break he prevented Fejiri Okenabirhie from scoring.

The Daggers attack ensured it was a busy afternoon for the 20-year-old, but Housham was full of praise for Watson, who faced 10 shots on target in total.

“Rory pulled off some great saves, especially in the first half, and that’s what he’s all about,” he added.

“Credit to him and all the players, they kept going. It’s been a tough week with the travelling, but it’s another one chalked off where we came, gave it a go and enjoyed ourselves.”