Dagenham & Redbridge 2-2 Concord Rangers

Essex Senior Cup Quarter Final

JOSH Vickers’ penalty shoot-out heroics saw Concord Rangers into the semi-finals of the Essex Senior Cup at the expense of Dagenham & Redbridge.

The Beach Boys won 4-2 in the shootout against the League Two side, having been the better side throughout the contest.

Goals from Joe Gardner and Tony Stokes had put the away side in charge but it went to the shoot-out and Vickers saved from Joe Widdowson and Abu Ogogo to put the holders through to the last four.

Concord came into the game on the back of a disappointing defeat at St Albans City but started this match on top.

Alex Woodyard and Taylor Miles were calling the shots in midfield and it was the latter who had the first effort on goal. His drilled free-kick was well held at the near post by Liam O’Brien.

Daggers had made 11 changes from their most recent outing against Northampton Town but still boasted a strong second string, featuring former West Ham United youngster Zavon Hines.

But Concord were called the shots. Tony Stokes saw an early effort deflected into the keepers arms before they took a deserved lead.

Stokes ran into the left channel and twisted away from a defender before crossing for Joe Gardner to nod home from close range.

Joe Widdowson did well to deny Stokes an effort on goal before the Beach Boys had appeals for a penalty waved away.

And the League Two side made them pay when captain Abu Ogogo picked up a long ball on his chest and crashed home a fine half volley from 20 yards.

But they were only level for five minutes as Stokes struck home a neat free-kick, although there will be a question mark over O’Brien’s positioning.

But the young stopper made amends on the half-time whistle. Tenacious work by the excellent Gary Ogilvie saw him cut back for Gardner but a flying save by O’Brien pushed the ball over.

That was how it stayed until half-time but the game was lit up by a superb goal six minutes into the second half.

Jodi Jones, who had been on the periphery of the game, pounced after Miles had conceded possession from a Concord corner and began to run.

The academy youngster burst past three Concord players, cut inside and out before turning inside once again and bending an effort inside the far post.

It was a fine goal and set the tone for a period of Daggers pressure.

But neither side could force an opening in an increasingly tight second half, with neither side able to create a clear-cut chance.

So to penalties it went.

And successful kicks from Ogilvie, Woodyard, White and Cawley put the Beach Boys through to leave them as the highest ranked side left in the tournament.

Dagenham & Redbridge: O’Brien, Yexley, Widdowson, Olokuga, Saah, Clark, Jones, Ogogo, Yusuff, Hines (Foxley), Porter Concord Rangers: Vickers, Walker, Ogilvie, Woodyard, King, Fry, White, Gardner (Taaffe), Collins, Stokes (Lampe), Miles (Cawley)