Dagenham & Redbridge forward Fejiri Okenabirhie insists there is more to come after stunning display at Southport

Fejiri Okenabirhie celebrates scoring the third Dagenham & Redbridge goal at Southport (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) ©TGS Photo tgsphoto.co.uk +44 1376 553468

Daggers attacker shined brightest in dull conditions at Sandgrounders

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Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge scores the equaliser at Southport (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Jordan Maguire-Drew of Dagenham & Redbridge scores the equaliser at Southport (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

Dagenham & Redbridge winger Fejiri Okenabirhie believes he is getting better with every game after a scintillating display in the 4-1 National League win at Southport.

After going a goal down, Okenabirhie helped instigate a turnaround in fortunes for Daggers, providing the cross for the second and scoring the third after Jordan Maguire-Drew had levelled the scores.

The former Harrow Borough man also supplied the ball which led to a late penalty for Corey Whitely, his 10th goal of the season, as the Essex club racked up a fifth straight win.

And it was in no small part down to Okenabirhie, who only returned from a lengthy lay-off in January, but he insists there is still more to come.

Corey Whitely scores the fourth goal for Dagenham & Redbridge at Southport (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo) Corey Whitely scores the fourth goal for Dagenham & Redbridge at Southport (pic: David Simpson/TGS Photo)

“I’m feeling fitter with every game, but it takes a while to get your fitness levels back to where they were before,” said the 20-year-old.

“I’m just glad to be back out there helping the team. As the season goes on, hopefully we’ll continue to get stronger and I get stronger too.”

Okenabirhie’s showing at Southport was full of the direct running Daggers fans have grown to love this season as he terrorised the Sandgrounders defence.

His assist for the second, an own goal by Southport defender Robbie Cundy, and his powerful strike for the third were just rewards for a superb display, but the ex-Arsenal youngster was just happy to help any way he could.

“It was nice to be back playing again after being out for a while and I’m just glad to help the team get the win that we needed,” he added.

It was not the simplest of openings for Daggers at Haig Avenue, going behind to a Jamie Allen penalty after Joe Widdowson fouled Robbie Cundy in the box.

And Okenabirhie admits it was difficult early on, but was pleased the Victoria Road outfit adapted and recovered well to win.

“It was a tough start and they went quite long with their throws, so it took us a good 20 minutes to get to grips with that,” he said.

“We got through that tough period and once we worked out our game plan, I thought we deal with Southport really well.”