Dagenham & Redbridge skipper knows how crucial clash with Glovers is to staying up

If ever there was a six-pointer in League Two, it looks to be this Saturday at Victoria Road as Dagenham & Redbridge host Yeovil Town.

Both teams find themselves trapped in a relegation fight at the foot of the table along with York City, who visit east London on March 5.

A win this weekend would give Daggers renewed hope of remaining in the Football League for a 10th season.

But lose and it would appear to signal the beginning of the end of a nine-year stint out of non-league football.

And skipper Joss Labadie is fully aware of the importance of Saturday’s game against the Glovers in the battle to beat the drop to the National League.

“It’s a massive game, Yeovil are down there in the mix with us and it’s important that we don’t let the teams around us get too far away,” he said.

“We just have to go into the game and give it our all. We can’t be worried about anything that could go on elsewhere.

“We just have to do our jobs and if everyone does that, I’m sure we’ll be all right.”

Saturday is also set to be a big day for the club off the pitch as they host their annual ‘Daggers Against Racism Day’.

It is hoped a bumper crowd will be at Victoria Road to see the game, with adult tickets as cheap as £2.50.

A steel band will perform at the ground before the game, while there will be activities to keep fans entertained during the half-time interval.

The family fun day is now in its seventh season and Labadie says it is fantastic to play for a club who take such a strong stance against racism.

“The club is spot on with everything it does, be it anti-racism or anything,” added the 25-year-old.

“It’s a great club to be at and anything they do, the boys get behind and support it fully.”

Labadie will be hopeful of inspiring the team to success on the pitch too against a Yeovil team who have not caused too many referee’s troubles this season.

After a goalless draw at home to promotion chasers Plymouth, the Glovers have collected just 37 yellow cards from 32 games.

But Labadie insists that does not mean there will be no midfield battles between the teams as they both go in search of much-needed points.

“No game is easy in this league, the margins are thin and there is not much between any of the teams,” he said.

“I won’t be going into it thinking it’s going to be an easier game, I’m just going to go into it and give it 100 per cent. Hopefully we’ll get the rub of the green.”