First Steps in Senior Football

Victoria Park, Hartlepool

4 March 2016 marks the date that opened a new chapter in the football life of the player later known as an Aston Villa pillar and Poland international. Young midfielder Matty Cash left the Nottingham Forest academy to join League Two club Dagenham & Redbridge on his first career loan. At stake for the teenager was a baptism of fire in the physical and relentless world of English lower-league senior football.

Moving to a team fighting against relegation meant Cash had to grow up fast. The chance to etch his name into supporters' memories came on 12 March 2016 at Victoria Park in Hartlepool. In the 33rd minute of the match against the hosts, Matty Cash scored his first senior career goal. Although that game ended in a 1–3 defeat for Dagenham & Redbridge, the strike proved that the teenager could handle adult competition.

Home Park and Dagenham statistics

Another milestone followed on 23 April 2016 at Home Park in Plymouth. Facing Plymouth Argyle away, Matty Cash scored a goal in the 24th minute. This time his contribution yielded tangible team success as Dagenham & Redbridge secured a 3–2 away victory.

His loan spell, though brief, provided concrete numbers and invaluable experience. Matty Cash made a total of 12 League Two appearances and scored 3 goals, with no cup or European appearances. These matches on the fourth tier of English football laid the foundation for his self-belief. From there, the path opened up – by August of the same year he made his Nottingham Forest first-team debut, ultimately paving the way for his Matty Cash career stats in the Premier League.