The coming week sees Sutton on the road to the East of London, with a first ever senior trip to Southend on Saturday but before that a visit to more familiar surroundings on Tuesday as U’s head to the Chigwell Construction Stadium, Victoria Road to take on Dagenham & Redbridge. Sutton will be wearing all white.
Dagenham are without a win since the opening day of the season when they beat Wealdstone 2-1, the winner coming from winger Dion Pereira, who spent the first half of last season on loan at Sutton, scoring twice in the FA Cup defeat of Horsham, before joining Dagenham for the rest of the season, and returning on a season long loan in the summer. He is one of two ex Sutton players in manager Ben Strevens’ squad, with Christian N’Guessan signing in the summer after his release from U’s. The manager himself will have been in his role for exactly eighteen months on Tuesday.
Since that Wealdstone victory, Dagenham’s home games have seen a draw against Halifax and 2-0 defeat to York. Away from home they have drawn three and lost once, at Woking.
Sutton are unbeaten away from home but have lost the last two games at home to Forest Green and Boston and currently lie two points and four places above Dagenham. U’s should have a fully fit squad to choose from, with further good news that winger Dillon De Silva has started light training following his injury on the first day of the season at Tamworth.
Sutton have lost on just one of their last six league visits to Dagenham, and the last meeting there, behind closed doors in February 2021, saw two Harry Beautyman penalties, the second in stoppage time, give U’s a 2-1 win which gave the National League championship bid a massive boost.
Tuesday’s referee is Paul Howard, an EFL referee since 2020 who has regularly taken charge of Sutton games over the years, including games last season at home to Barrow and away to Crawley and Salford.
Advance prices remain available on line until midnight on Monday, and are: Adults £23; Concessions (over 65/students with ID) £17; Next Gen (age 17-21) £14; Junior (ages 10-16) £12; Under 10 (must be accompanied by adult) £2. On the day admission prices rise by £2 apart from Next Gen tickets which are only available in advance until midnight on Monday, and Under 10 tickets which remain the same price. Tickets are on sale on line until three hours before kick off, and at the turnstiles. Entry is via turnstiles 9-11.
Sutton supporters should choose blocks 1 and 2 of the SD Samuels Stand.
Supporters’ Club coach leaving at 4.45pm, cost just £20. Email suttonunitedcoachtravel@hotmail.com
The best route for drivers to get to the ground will depend on rush hour traffic on the day – Victoria Road runs west from the A1112 Rainham Road and is the fifth turning on the left after Dagenham East station. There is no public on site parking, but street parking is available around the ground. Dagenham East is on the District Line, about fifty minutes from Victoria and less than 10 minutes’ walk from the ground, and is the recommended form of transport for independent travellers.
The game will be streamed live on National League TV, and a pass can bought here for £9.99. We will also have a live audio Mixlr commentary on the game. Ambers Bar will be open on Tuesday evening showing the England v Finland Nations League game.
