Daggers ace Effiong remains stable in hospital

By Dan Darlington

MAIDENHEAD U 1

Smith 57

DAGENHAM & R0

DAGENHAM & Redbridge striker Inih Effiong was ‘in a stable condition’ in hospital last night after being treated on the pitch at the end of yesterday’s game.

The incident occurred as the players were leaving the pitch following Maidenhead’s 1-0 win.

An ambulance was called to the scene and the 32-yearold was taken to hospital.

In a statement last night, the Daggers said: “Following the final whistle today, Inih Effiong was treated on the pitch by the physios and medical staff.

“He is currently in hospital for observation and is in a stable condition. We will provide further updates when we have them.

“At this moment in time we would like to request privacy for Inih and his family.”

Maidenhead assistant manager Ryan Peters said: “All football related matters get put to one side.

“We’re hoping that he makes a full recovery. It puts things into perspective when you see things like that. My mind went straight to his family and I hope he makes a full recovery. Our thoughts are with him.”

The teams were separated in this hard-fought encounter by Reece Smith’s 57th minute effort – afine curling shot past Elliot Justham after collecting a cross from the impressive Jayden Mitchell-Lawson.

It sealed a deserved win for the Magpies, although they did have to withstand a late barrage of pressure and a series of corners from the visitors.

The result lifts Alan Devonshire’s side to seventh in the table after four matches, while Ben Strevens’ Dagenham slip to the bottom having picked up just one point from their four matches.

United just about edged a rather nervy opening without really creating much in the way of clearcut chances.

Gradually, the contest improved, with Magpies defender Will de Havilland volleying wide at the far post in the 21st minute after reaching Charlee Adams’ back-post delivery.

The match improved markedly after the break, and it was Devonshire’s Maidenhead who gave the contest some much-needed impetus.

Wide men Smith and Mitchell-Lawson were the two dangermen and it was no surprise that the pair combined to break the deadlock just before the hour mark. Mitchell-Lawson beat his marker for pace down the right before checking back inside and delivering a cross to the far post. Smith controlled the ball in an instant and curled it back across the keeper and into the top corner.

Dagenham stepped up their efforts in the final 25 minutes, but the Maidenhead defence stood firm.

Effiong scooped a good chance over the bar from close range a couple of minutes later, but the linesman’s flag was raised as the Magpies held on for the points.

STAR MAN: Jayden Mitchell-Lawson (Maidenhead)

ENTERTAINMENT: ★★☆☆☆

REFEREE: Dale Baines