Tamworth capitalised on a first-half red card to secure a crucial 3-1 victory over ten-man Dagenham & Redbridge at the Chigwell Construction Stadium, strengthening their position in the National League.
Dagenham & Redbridge started brightly and their early pressure paid dividends in the 22nd minute. Ryan Hill found the back of the net, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. However, the game’s momentum shifted dramatically just eleven minutes later. Chris Francis, already on a yellow card, received his marching orders in the 33rd minute for violent conduct, reducing Dagenham & Redbridge to ten men.
The sending off proved pivotal. On the stroke of half-time, Tamworth were awarded a penalty, which Dan Creaney dispatched calmly to level the scores at 1-1 going into the break.
The numerical advantage quickly told for Tamworth in the second half. Just two minutes after the restart, a slick passing move culminated in Ronan Maher finding the net, assisted by Thomas McGlinchey, to put the visitors 2-1 ahead. Despite their valiant efforts, Dagenham & Redbridge struggled to create clear opportunities against a well-organised Tamworth side. The visitors’ dominance eventually yielded a third goal in the 65th minute, Haydn Hollis extending their lead and effectively sealing the three points.
With the game seemingly won, both sides made a series of substitutions in the closing stages. Tamworth withdrew goalscorers Creaney and Maher, along with assist provider McGlinchey. Dagenham & Redbridge also made changes in a bid to find a route back into the match, but Tamworth expertly controlled the remainder of the game, comfortably seeing out the 3-1 victory.
The win sees Tamworth climb to 11th in the National League table with 51 points, while Dagenham & Redbridge remain in 20th place on 36 points. This result mirrors the outcome of the two sides’ previous meeting this season, which also ended in a 2-1 victory for Tamworth.