IT MAY have been for only five minutes, but there isn t anyone who can take away Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper Dave Hogan s first ever appearance in the Football League, writes MIKE SIMMONDS. Hogan, 21, was called upon when Tony Roberts was injured as G

IT MAY have been for only five minutes, but there isn't anyone who can take away Dagenham & Redbridge goalkeeper Dave Hogan's first ever appearance in the Football League, writes MIKE SIMMONDS.

Hogan, 21, was called upon when Tony Roberts was injured as Gillingham forward Dennis Oli headed the winner.

Although he didn't actually get to touch the ball, the youngster was still chuffed at full time.

"It was nice to get in and play at Gillingham, I've always wanted to play in the league and now I've done it" he smiled.

Hogan has made one appearance for the club before, replacing Roberts during a 5-0 Conference win over Altrincham back on September 3, 2006.

Since then, he has had to make do with a role on the sidelines, but when Ed Thompson left the club earlier in the season, Hogan became a regular on the bench.

"I prepare as if I'm going to play," he said. "I always wait to see if an opportunity comes along so I will be ready to take it.

"Everyone always takes the mickey out of me because I get ready really quickly, but this time I had to!"

When Daggers won a corner in the dying seconds, Hogan ventured up to the halfway line and for a moment, it looked like he might try and emulate one of Roberts' regular foray forwards.

But he was waved back, much to his disappointment.

"I was going to come up for it, but was told not to, I could have got the winner," he laughed.

"I thought we deserved a point, if not the win. In the first half I thought we could have been 1-0 up, but that's football.

"To come to Gillingham and play so well, just shows we're up there with the best though."

Although Hogan will be back on the bench this weekend, the keeper will still make sure he is ready whatever happens.

"I haven't really spoken to the gaffer, so I'm not sure about the future, but it would be nice to stay and get a chance here," said Hogan,

"I'll just be making sure I prepare properly for the Bradford game now though."

Would you like to see Hogan given a chance at Daggers? Email your views to: sport@ilfordrecorder.co.uk

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