Football Round-Up: Dagenham & Hornchurch December 2025

By Jasper Searles – Junior Sports Reporter

Special Sport Report: 26th – 28th December 2025

The Dagenham v Hornchurch Derby

Hello, it’s Jasper (@jasper.journalist on TikTok), Junior Sports Reporter for The Havering Daily, and welcome to another article where I look at this week’s football.

National League South

Dagenham & Redbridge 2 – 3 Hornchurch

Goalscorers

Dagenham:

• S. Leech (52’)
• D. Lusala (90’)
• C. Maghoma (Red Card, 76’)

Hornchurch:

• G. Phillips (7’)
• H. Sandat (44’)
• J. Rees (90+6’)

Introduction

Hi, Jasper here once again. This week’s report focuses on the National League South clash between Dagenham & Redbridge and Hornchurch.

Please note that there were some explicit moments during the match which are not included in this article. Read on for the full match report.

Dagenham v Hornchurch

Before the game, we travelled via Hornchurch Station and, after a quick ride, found ourselves outside the Chigwell Construction Stadium.

If you have ever been to a Hornchurch home game, you will know the stadium is not particularly large. Dagenham’s ground, however, is noticeably bigger — not Premier League standard, but still impressive.

The listed capacity is around 6,500, although one stand is a terrace where supporters stand, so the exact figure is debatable. The official attendance was 3,679.

As mentioned above, Hornchurch ran out 3–2 winners. Here is how it unfolded.

First Half Analysis

From the opening minute, the Hornchurch fans were chanting and the players responded. Despite not taking kick-off, Hornchurch dominated possession early on.

They created an early chance, but Morias made it too easy for the Dagenham goalkeeper. While the Hornchurch fans shouted “Stand up if you love Hornchurch”, the Dagenham supporters remained largely silent.

Hornchurch defender Phillips opened the scoring with a volley after a superb delivery from captain Wraight. The Dagenham keeper should have done better and looked unsure.

Dagenham responded with a chance that went just wide. Hornchurch then threatened again when a delightful lifted ball from Henry found Henry Sandat, but a good save from the Daggers’ keeper pushed it to safety.

Hornchurch continued to dominate. Weston turned brilliantly and crossed the ball, striking the bar, before another counter-attack fell to Sandat, whose curling effort went just past the post.

Dagenham tested Hornchurch with a shot from outside the box heading for the bottom corner, but Nasta produced a superb save.

Just before half-time, Hornchurch doubled their lead. Weston sprinted down the right flank and delivered a left-footed cross to the far post, where Henry Sandat scored with a diving header.

The Hornchurch fans roared as the Urchins took a deserved lead.

Half-time: Dagenham 0 – 2 Hornchurch

Second Half Analysis

Dagenham struck early in the second half. Striker Leech headed home a goal that took more deflections than the average Arsenal strike, and the home crowd finally came to life.

The atmosphere quickly turned heated. Hornchurch fans sang “Shall we sing a song for you?” as tensions rose, with explicit gestures and chants from both sets of supporters.

Dagenham pushed hard for an equaliser. A strong tackle by Hornchurch defender Phillips denied a clear chance, before substitute Welch produced a stunning goal-line clearance.

Hornchurch’s Morias later broke through on goal but was hauled back by Maghoma and brought down. It was a clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity and the referee rightly produced a red card.

Hornchurch attempted to see the game out, introducing Bertram-Cooper, but in the 90th minute Dagenham equalised. Lusala’s effort deflected over the line — a scrappy goal, but a goal nonetheless. The home fans erupted and a flare was thrown onto the pitch.

However, the drama was not over.

In the 90+6th minute, Hornchurch struck again. Former Dagenham captain Rees scored a stunning last-gasp winner, silencing the home crowd as Hornchurch fans chanted “Is there a fire drill?” around the stadium.

Full-time: Dagenham 2 – 3 Hornchurch

Premier League Results

Festive Premier League results (26th–28th December):

• Manchester United 1 – 0 Newcastle United
• Nottingham Forest 1 – 2 Manchester City
• Arsenal 2 – 1 Brighton & Hove Albion
• Brentford 4 – 1 AFC Bournemouth
• Burnley 0 – 0 Everton
• Liverpool 2 – 1 Wolverhampton Wanderers
• West Ham United 0 – 1 Fulham
• Chelsea 1 – 2 Aston Villa
• Sunderland 1 – 1 Leeds United
• Crystal Palace 0 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur

I am visiting family, so I will take a short break from midweek reporting and return with my take on the fixtures from 3rd–4th January.

Wishing you all the best for the New Year.

That’s all for this week’s football round-up — see you soon for more results, highlights, and stories from the world of football.

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