A tense encounter at Boundary Park saw Oldham Athletic secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Dagenham & Redbridge in a match marred by ill-discipline and a flurry of late cards. The only goal of the game arrived in the 20th minute, a well-constructed move culminating in Mike Fondop-Talum’s clinical finish.
Mark Kitching, advancing down the left wing, delivered a precise cross which Fondop-Talum expertly directed into the net, giving the Latics a deserved lead. Dagenham & Redbridge responded by increasing the pressure on the Oldham defence, but the home side remained resolute, limiting the visitors to few clear-cut opportunities. As the first half drew to a close, Josh Umerah became the first player to enter the referee’s notebook, receiving a yellow card for a late challenge.
The second half saw a series of substitutions from both sides as they looked to gain the upper hand. Oldham introduced fresh legs in midfield and attack, while Dagenham & Redbridge sought to bolster their attacking options. However, the flow of the game became increasingly fragmented, with neither side able to establish consistent control.
Dagenham & Redbridge’s hopes of salvaging a point suffered a significant setback in the 74th minute when Jake Hessenthaler was shown a straight red card for violent conduct. Their woes were further compounded moments later when Ryan Hill also received a yellow card. Despite their numerical advantage, Oldham struggled to capitalise, and the game descended into a series of niggling fouls. In the closing stages, Oldham’s Josh Kay, Jesurun Uchegbulam, and even goalscorer Fondop-Talum were all shown yellow cards. The drama continued into stoppage time, culminating in Kay’s dismissal in the 96th minute after receiving a second yellow card, reducing both teams to ten men.
The victory elevates Oldham to fifth in the National League table, solidifying their recent positive run. Dagenham & Redbridge, meanwhile, drop to 12th. This result marks Oldham’s first victory in five meetings between the two sides, their previous encounters having yielded three draws and a defeat.