Dagenham & Redbridge 5 Gravesend 0

GRAVESEND made the worst possible start to life after Andy Ford as they were thrashed 5-0 by local rivals Dagenham & Redbridge.

Ford was watching from the stands as captain Steve McKimm and Paul McCarthy took charge of team affairs.

The game was quite even until Dagenham went ahead, but the goal seemed to knock the confidence out of the Fleet players.

Defenders appealed for offside, but the flag stayed down as Tony Boot raced through and finished with a fine lob over the advancing James Pullen.

Jimmy Jackson had a great chance for Fleet before half-time and the game may have been different had he taken it, but he shot well over the bar when he should have at least tested the keeper.

The new management team were preparing their first half-time talk when Scott Clarke’s outrageous 40-yard volley effectively sealed the game in the 44th minute.

Fleet were dealt a further blow when McKimm was forced off with an ankle injury at the beginning of the second period.

Chris Moore took advantage of a gap at the back to make it 3-0 and Jake Leberl, who Ford tried to sign in the close season, made it four with a superb shot from just outside the box.

By that time it was a damage limitation exercise for Gravesend as their forwards failed to make any impression on Tony Roberts’ goal.

Boot wrapped things up with seven minutes to go with a low shot after Moore’s cross from the by-line.

James Pinnock sent a shot wide late on which confirmed there would be no Fleet consolation and it was a case of the referee putting the visitors out of their misery with the final whistle.

It was a sad day for Gravesend after a traumatic week and it emphasised how crucial Brian Kilcullen’s selection of the new manager will be.