But Academy boss Warren Hackett took great pride in the performances of his teams

The Dagenham & Redbridge Centre of Excellence took two squads to the Baronie Tournament in Breda, Holland last week, where a lack of goals proved their Achilles heel.

The under-13s side failed to net in any of their group matches, but claimed two draws with JVOZ and eventual winners Germinal Beerschot thanks largely to keeper Joe Carter, who was named goalkeeper of the tournament.

In the play-off stage Daggers found their shooting boots and beat FC Dortrecht 6-0. But a 2-0 defeat in the next match to JVOZ saw them eliminated in sixth place.

Daggers Academy manager, Warren Hackett, said: “The players have learnt a great deal from this experience and now know that tournament football is about scoring goals from the start to finish, which we found difficult to do.

“The boys did grow stronger towards the end and managed to score six goals against a Dutch second division side, which was nice.”

Daggers under-13s: Carter, John, Frimpong, J Richardson, Curran, Brocklebank, Hyde, Oakley, Newell, Watters, Owusu-Dacosta, Herbert, Stratford, Knight, Spencer-Fenton, Mazreku, S Richardson.

The under-15s side also found scoring difficult, registering two goalless draws in their group matches with NAC Breda and KV Mechlen and losing 1-0 to Willem II.

Ricardo Nunes bagged a hat-trick though, as JVOZ were beaten 4-0 in the first play-off match, earning him the golden boot and a 2-0 win over Willem II secured fifth place.

Hackett said: “This team could have won the tournament. They dominated every match they played in, but it was not to be.

“The trip was a real success and has shown how far the Centre of Excellence has come after only being up and running for 21 months.

“All the teams they played are established academies so hopefully this bodes well for the future of Dagenham & Redbridge FC.”

Daggers under-15s: Haigh, Yexley, Nottage, Olomeweke, Allen, Hollington, De Rouche Bruce, Charles, Bretton Jones, Hursit, Walker, Nunes, Mitchell, Morris, Wright, Heather, Shephard.