Daggers Won't Be Don For In The Big 'District Line Derby'!

Ben Strevens has urged his Dagenham & Redbridge players to help the club end a nine-year wait.

The East Londoners haven’t appeared in the third round of the FA Cup since 2015/16 when they eventually bowed out at Everton.

The trip to Merseyside is a fond memory for the club’s fans - and Strevens wants the Class of 2024 to make some more.

His team face a trip to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday evening, a game live on ITV2 in a match dubbed the ‘District Line derby’ with the two grounds at either end of the tube.

Over 600 fans will be jumping on board and they cross London in confidence.

The Daggers ended their wait for a win by beating Aldershot on Tuesday but they must be more switched on defensively if they are to cause an upset at Plough Lane.

The Dons’ were untouchable at home up until recently, but a return of one point from a possible nine in front of their fans offers Dagenham hope.

The manager doesn’t just want his players to be in the hat with the big boys just for the sake of the club.

Strevens says the opportunity to play at an iconic venue doesn’t come around in every career and they need to grab it with both hands.

He said: “It’s all about creating special memories, that’s what the FA Cup has always done.

“Everyone wants a good run, and when they’re still in the competition they want to keep it going. Not every player gets the chance to have a shot at the third round.”

They’ve already beaten one of the best League Two sides on the road, Crewe Alexandra.

Strevens went on: “Wimbledon will know about how we did in the last round and who we beat. They won’t underestimate us.”

Where next?

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