

Hitchin Town 0-2 Dagenham & Redbridge: Daggers' Quality Tells in Friendly Encounter
Dagenham & Redbridge secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hitchin Town in an international club friendly on July 15, 2026. The match, played at Top Field, saw the National League side showcase their superior class against their Southern League Premier Division hosts.
Dominant Display from Daggers
Dagenham & Redbridge controlled the game from the outset, with their midfield pressing high and forcing errors from Hitchin's defense. The opening goal arrived in the 17th minute when forward Josh Walker collected a pass on the edge of the box, turned his marker, and fired a low shot into the corner.
Hitchin Town tried to respond but found the Daggers' defense, led by captain Elliot Johnson, difficult to penetrate. The home side's best chance came just before halftime when a free kick was headed narrowly wide.
Second-Half Decisiveness
Dagenham doubled their advantage in the 58th minute. A quick counter-attack caught Hitchin out of shape, and substitute Junior Morias raced through one-on-one before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper. The goal effectively ended the contest as a competitive affair.
Hitchin Town continued to work hard but lacked the cutting edge to trouble Dagenham's goalkeeper. The friendly allowed Dagenham & Redbridge's manager to experiment with formations and give playing time to several trialists.
Friendly Context
The match was part of both teams' pre-season schedules. For Hitchin Town, competing against a higher-league opponent provides valuable experience. Dagenham & Redbridge will be pleased with their clean sheet and clinical finishing as they prepare for their National League campaign, which begins in August.
The 2-0 scoreline accurately reflected the gap in quality, although Hitchin's resilience ensured the visitors were never completely comfortable.