Dagenham & Redbridge striker Shomari Barnwell wants a few more touches after making debut against Macclesfield Town

Shomari Barnwell of Dagenham & Redbridge (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

New Daggers forward pleased to make bow, but knows he must now kick on

Share Email this article to a friend To send a link to this page you must be logged in.

Luke Howell of Dagenham & Redbridge and Paul Lewis of Macclesfield Town (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Luke Howell of Dagenham & Redbridge and Paul Lewis of Macclesfield Town (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Dagenham & Redbridge new boy Shomari Barnwell hopes he can have a few more touches of the ball in his next outing after making his debut in the National League against Macclesfield Town on Saturday.

The former Bowers & Pitsea attacker only joined Daggers on Friday, but came on in the final minute of stoppage time against the Silkmen to make his bow for the Essex club.

By that point, the Victoria Road side had seen Fejiri Okenabirhie’s 18th-minute opener cancelled out in the final minute of normal time by a goal from Macclesfield’s Chris Holroyd in a match that ended 1-1.

And though Barnwell had very little time — around 20 seconds or so — to make an impact, he was simply delighted the make his first apppearance for his new club.

“It was really good to make my debut, but I would have wished to get more minutes and maybe get a touch of the ball as well!” said the 21-year-old.

“The atmosphere and everything was great and I really enjoyed it.”

It’s been an interesting few weeks for Barnwell, who earlier this month had a trial with League Two outfit Cambridge United before signing for Daggers.

But now that the deal has been completed, Barnwell, who hit four goals in the Ryman North for Bowers this campaign, says he is relieved and now hopes to kick on over the remainder of the season.

“It’s all happened in the space of two weeks. I was at Cambridge for a week, then after that I was at Dagenham being told of the offer,” added the rangy attacker.

“It’s been a bit rushed, so now I can relax a little after getting things done. I wasn’t expecting anything like this anytime soon, so I’m really pleased it’s happened.”