Dutch Double Defeats Daggers

Dutch Double Defeats Daggers

When you think of a European game you usually picture the Champions League or teams at the top of the sport. However, Dagenham and Redbridge of Football League 2 travelled abroad to Holland to face Eerste Divisie side Helmond Sport, a team on the outskirts of Eindhoven, for a friendly match.

Lavans Stadion
©Daniel Law

Dagenham flags
©Daniel Law

The Daggers would barely have been heard of by many at Helmond prior to the game, the exact same feeling by many at the Daggers about their Dutch counterparts also. However, many Daggers fans saw that the rare opportunity to watch their team abroad was one that they had to take up with 82 'die hard' supporters travelling out on a flight to Eindhoven from Stansted Airport at 9AM Saturday morning with the rest being made up of people travelling by the supporters coach at 4:30AM. 

Upon arrival at the Lavans Stadion their were bouncy castles for kids and a beer hut for those who prefer alcohol rather than inflatables prior to a match. This was the opportunity for Daggers fans to take the opportunity to purchase some Helmond Sport memorabilia prior to kick off, with many choosing to purchase scarves and replica kit, disappointingly there wasn't a match day programme for the supporters for the rare occasion, but this didn't seem to bother many of the fans, many pre-occupied with the beer that was very cheep, hence creating the song "Your beer is quite cheap, I wanna stay here".

Teams line up
©Helmond Sport

Once inside the Stadium the game was played in a very fast tempo with the Dutch hosts dominating the whole game from start to front, however, the Daggers did have the occasional chance with Jack Connors scoring the opening goal of the match in a rare Dagenham attack after veteran striker Jamie Cureton raced clear of the defence, squaring the ball to makeshift midfielder Connors who beat one Helmond player before powering the ball low and hard giving the Helmond 'keeper Van der Steen no chance.

Daggers fans celebrating Dagenham's goal
©Dave Simpson/TGS Photo

Eventually the Dutch side levelled the match just six minutes later after winger Stanley Elbers raced against full back Matt Partridge down the left hand side beating the slower Partridge before cutting back onto his stronger right foot before curling the ball past the diving Liam O'Brien. Helmond then went into the lead with what turned out to be the winning goal when Charlton Vicento was set free by Roel van der Sande with the striker finishing with a shot a the near post past the Daggers keeper Mark Cousins who couldn't shop the shot.

The final score ended 2-1 to Helmond Sport, however, the score didn't matter with many of the Daggers fans as the beer tent opened again and the Dagenham and Helmond fans sung each other's chants. Just before the Dagenham supporters left the whole Dagenham team came outside to see the fans, singing songs with the supporters and posing for a team/fan photo.

Dagenham & Redbridge players and fans
©Dagenham & Redbridge Twitter

Overall, a fantastic experience that all people associated with the Daggers will remember for years to come.