Team: Jade Charlton, Chana Hinds, Abbey Davies, Lizzie Adams, Shauni Griffiths, Teni Charles, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Gabby Howell, Beth Powell, Poppy Payne, Emily Vaughan.
Subs (all used): Amy Russ, Emily Woodhouse, Georgie Davis, Neve Connor
The new season has arrived and the opening fixture saw the Darts travel to Dorking Wanderers. We travelled to Meadowbank looking to get our season started on a positive footing and continue on from where we ended last season.
Darts began the game brightly and were nearly ahead in the 10th Minute. A high press from the Darts forced a mistake within the Dorking defence. The chance fell to Lizzie Adams, but the effort on goal was just wide of the Dorking goal.
As the first half went on, the home side grew in confidence and began to cause a few problems for the Darts. The Wanderers created a couple of good chances, but good defending from the Darts defence saw this one remain goalless.
Darts regained control in the latter stages of the first half and took the lead in the 32nd minute. A cross from the left by Xayla-Rae Alberts beat everyone in the box, including the Dorking keeper, to find the target and saw us go in ahead at half time.
The second half began with both sides creating early chances. The home side intercepted a loose pass from the Darts defence, but the effort from distance was held by the Darts No1. The response from the Darts was instant as good work from debutant Teni Charles created a great chance for Lizzie Adams, but the effort went just wide of the Dorking goal.
In the 60th minute, a mix up in the Darts defence resulted in the home side being awarded a penalty. This was converted by Dorking’s No 7, Megan Clapinson and we were level.
Both sides continued to create chances as the half went on and this was a game that could have gone either way. In the 88th minute, Abbey Davies tried to catch the keeper out with an audacious effort from distance. The Dorking keeper made a fantastic save to keep the shot from finding the target.
In the 90th minute, another mix up in the Darts defence saw the ball fall to Dorking’s No 9, Rachael Manley who was in space and finished well to secure all three points for the home side.
FT Dorking Wanderers 2-1 Dartford FC. POTM: Xayla-Rae Alberts