Andy Carroll endures humiliating debut for Dagenham and Redbridge in thumping defeat to Worthing in National League South

The 36-year-old, who signed for Dagenham and Redbridge in July on a three-year deal after leaving Bordeaux, came off the bench with his side 2-1 down but things only got worse after his introduction. The visitors comfortably won the second half as the ex-Liverpool man had a debut to forget on Saturday, with the game ending 5-2. 

Former Newcastle United forward Carroll has played in the Premier League and has nine England caps, but it is clear he welcomes the opportunity to play in the sixth tier of English football. When he joined the club, he said, "It doesn't matter the level, as long as I get on the pitch and play football, that's all that matters." The ex-West Ham man will hope he can improve the Greater London team's fortunes going forward, though.

Manager Lee Bradbury, who handed Carroll some pre-season minutes earlier this summer, said of Carroll after the defeat, "Andy is going to be a big player for us with his experience and the way he leads the line. He is a handful, he has done it at the top level as a top pro, and he will only make us better and stronger."

The former Reading star, who has missed the start of the season due to a hamstring injury, could feature for his new team next Saturday in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup against Bedford Town. Beyond that, Carroll will be targeting firing Dagenham up the table as they currently sit a lowly 21st.