Ebbsfleet United 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0 match report: Dominic Samuel scores winner in National League South

Ebbsfleet made it five National League South wins in a row after edging out Dagenham at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

The only goal of the game came midway through the first half via the in-form Dominic Samuel.

Ebbsfleet boss Josh Wright named an unchanged side from the win at Chippenham last weekend.

Dagenham went close as early as the fifth minute when Christian Maghome diverted an early Joe Haigh cross wide at the near post.

Ebbsfleet soon settled into their passing game, dominating possession and territory. Charlie Seaman’s near-post corner was kept out but Jake Hessenthaler nodded the loose ball wide of the upright.

Toby Edser won the ball and fed the unmarked Samuel but his right-foot shot was turned behind for a corner by keeper Sam Howes.

Samuel had another chance on 23 minutes and made no mistake second time around. Ben Chapman’s glorious long ball found Samuel behind the Daggers defence and he slotted home his 13th goal of the season.

Dagenham were largely stifled by the hosts but Dylan Stephenson did break through just past the half-hour only for keeper Matt Hall to deny him.

Ebbsfleet had the first real chance of the second half as a left-wing cross was only cleared as far as Gene Kennedy, whose 25-yard right-foot shot had to be pushed behind by Howes.

Dagenham were then presented with a free-kick on the edge of the Fleet box but Haigh blasted his right-foot shot narrowly over the bar.

The visitors pushed an extra player forward and started to enjoy more success. The two full-backs nearly combined for an equaliser as Harvey Broad crossed from the left but Dermi Lusala shot over the bar.

The Fleet were handed the chance to make the game safe with 20 minutes left when Lusala tripped Ben Coker in the box. Coker