Southend Manor striker Ben Barnett faces the biggest game of his life at Nationwide Conference new boys Dagenham and Redbridge tonight.

Barnett is currently on a pre-season trial with Third Division outfit Leyton Orient and will lead the London side's attack in what could be a make or break 90 minutes at Victoria Road.

O's boss Tommy Taylor has promised the 20-year-old, who cracked 44 goals in the Essex Senior League last term, a decision on his future after closely monitoring his display in the friendly clash against the Daggers.

"It's make or break time and I know that this is the biggest game of my life," said the Shoebury based hitman.

"But I'm confident in my ability and hopefully I can persuade Tommy Taylor to take a gamble on me.

"I know the pressure is on, but I can handle it and I'll just go out and give it my best shot. Orient have showed a lot of faith in me and I hope to repay them by taking my chance."

Barnett has already scored his first goal in an Orient shirt. The youngster netted the first goal in a 3-0 win over Dawlish during the East Enders' recent tour of Devon.

"It was only an eight-yard tap-in, but they all count and it was just nice to get on the scoresheet," he added.

"I played with a mixture of fringe and first-team players and I think I gave a decent account of myself, but to score in my first game was the ideal start.

"We had an excellent week down in the West Country and it was a good experience going away with the Orient lads for training. They are a great bunch and I think I settled in well.

"We've been doing a lot of hill running, both in Devon and at Hainault Forest, and I feel the fittest I have ever been.

"I'm certainly in better shape than the Southend Manor lads. I went back there to have a look at them in training the other night, but they didn't look as fit as me."

However, Barnett, who was also offered a trial with Southend United after Orient registered their interest, is now focused on the future.

"I want to be a professional footballer and I've got a chance to make that happen at Dagenham tonight," he said.

"I've been working with players of Football League standard for the last two weeks now, and I think I can reach the level they have achieved. But now I've got to prove it, which I aim to do against Dagenham."

Orient manager Taylor, who lives on Canvey, certainly believes his trialist has a chance of making the big time.

"Ben's done very well for us during his time at Orient and has worked very hard," he said.

"He is a natural goalscorer and has a chance of making it at league level. He can certainly play higher than the Essex Senior League."

By Bernie Friend

Reporter's e-mail: bernie.friend@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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