Crichlow Stars as Dagenham & Redbridge Advance in FA Cup
IslandStats.com
Bermuda forward Kane Crichlow scored directly from a corner to set Dagenham & Redbridge on their way to a 3-0 victory over Waltham Abbey in their Emirates FA Cup second qualifying round replay.
Following a tense first encounter, the Daggers took control on home turf at Victoria Road, with Crichlow at the heart of their most incisive attacking moments before an injury-time flurry sealed safe passage into the next round.
The hosts almost broke through inside the opening half-hour. In the 26th minute, the Waltham Abbey goalkeeper spilled a loose ball into Crichlow's path, but the Bermudian international's first-time effort was denied by a desperate clearance off the line.
Crichlow made amends in sensational fashion just six minutes before the break. Stepping up to deliver a corner in the 39th minute, his curling delivery deceived everyone in the penalty area and flew straight into the net to break the deadlock.
Leading 1-0 at the interval, Dagenham & Redbridge maintained a disciplined shape as the non-league visitors pushed in vain for a route back into the tie.
The tie was finally put beyond doubt during a chaotic period of second-half stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Crichlow whipped a dangerous ball across the face of goal, forcing a panicked Waltham Abbey defender to turn it into his own net.
Crichlow went down in the aftermath of the goal and was replaced by Kymani Thomas, ending an influential evening's work.
Dagenham added gloss to the scoreline in the 98th minute, striking a third deep into added time to wrap up an emphatic 3-0 win and ensure their name remains in the hat for the third qualifying round.
