Match Report: Dartford FC 7-0 Sport London E Benfica FC
London and SouthEast Regional League Premier Division, played on Sunday 3rd November 2024.
Team: Jade Charlton, Georgie Davis, Chana Hinds, Shauni Griffiths, Amy Russ, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Beth Powell, Poppy Payne, Emily Vaughan, Emily Woodhouse, Ellie Dolby.
Subs: Abbey Davies, Lizzie Adams, Brionne Fowle, Gabby Howell, Neve Connor
Darts were back on home soil once again, as we welcomed Sport London E Benfica to Princes Park. We headed into this one on a two game win streak and wanted to continue this run with victory in this contest.
Darts started the game very brightly and had a couple of half chances inside the first 10 minutes. This early dominance was to pay off as we were ahead shortly after. In the 11th minute, a great cross from Shauni Griffiths found Emily Vaughan inside the box. The Darts forward connected well with the cross and headed the ball beyond the keeper to put us ahead.
Darts continued to create and it wasn’t long before we doubled our advantage. An audacious effort from Amy Russ went over the Benfica keeper and found the far corner of the net to put us 2 goals to the good.
We continued to dominate the first half and it wasn’t long before we scored again. In the 27th minute, a mistake from the Benfica keeper saw the ball fall to Emily Woodhouse. The Darts
midfielder poked the ball into the empty net and we were out of sight before the half hour mark.
Darts were on the hunt for goal number four and it came our way before half time. In the 39th minute, a wonder strike from Shauni Griffiths was too good for the Benfica keeper and we were 4 goals ahead at half time.
The second half began similarly to the first, with the home side creating good opportunities to extend our advantage. A couple of half chances in the first 15 minutes forced a string of good saves from the Benfica keeper.
The continued dominance from the home side saw us get goal number five midway through the half. In the 64th minute, a mistake from the Benfica keeper as she spilled a cross and Lizzie Adams reacted quickest in the 6yd box to fire the ball home for our fifth goal of the afternoon.
Darts were on the hunt for more goals and it wasn’t long before we got goal number six. In the 77th minute, a great ball from Amy Russ found Shauni Griffiths on the edge of the box. The Darts midfielder connected well with the cross and fired the ball beyond the keeper for her second goal of the afternoon.
In the final stages of the half, Darts got goal number seven. In the 85th minute, a fine finish from Amy Russ saw the ball go beyond the Benfica keeper and Darts had seven.
FT Dartford FC 7-0 Sport London E Benfica
Magnificent Seven from the Darts sees us earn all three points against Sport London E Benfica. A big thanks to all the fans for coming out to support us today. Onto the next one!