The National League South was back in full swing this weekend with Dartford beating Tonbridge Angels 2-0 at Princes Park, taking them to third in the table.
The first 30 minutes showed both teams trying to push forward and create attacking chances but a magical masterclass from an unsurprising Samir Carruthers who has been excellent this season for the Darts gave them the lead.
Carruthers, who was taking the corner in the 30th minute, whipped the ball across goal and slotted the ball into the top right hand-corner. The goal gave Carruthers his sixth league goal of the season so far.
Assistant manager Christian Jolley explained how important the goal was “It was coming and coming and thankfully I don’t know whether he meant it, I think it was more just an overhit cross that found its way into the back of the net but we’ll take it because when you do the right things consistently for a period of the game you tend to get what you deserve.”
Substitute Pierre Fonkeu, who replaced Marvin Herschel in the 56th minute, scored the second and gave Dartford an extra level of comfort from a Tonbridge Angels side that was increasing the pressure on the Dartford defence.
When asked about the goal perhaps boosting Fonkeu’s confidence, Christian Jolley explained that it was unsustainable for Pierre to keep scoring goals after beginning the season “like a house on fire” but that his honesty and work ethic is second to none and they know what he is going to produce on the pitch.
This win gave the Darts their sixth win on the bounce after starting the season shaky and Captain Tom Bonner explained about the turn around and what this meant for the players.
“We said before the game to keep the run going, so absolutely delighted with the win today.
“We have worked hard, we lost the game to Beckenham in the FA Cup, and it isn’t luck that we have gone on a bit of a run, we all had a sit down and we have worked really hard to put this run together.”
Reflecting on the season so far Bonner described the start to be indifferent but didn’t believe that they ever played badly but lost games in the last minute, explaining that he was confident that they would turn it around and are now being rewarded for working hard.
When analysing the rest of the season and the improvements that have already been made Jolley said “The squad in itself is fantastic, absolutely fantastic but we need improvements and gaffer has got a belief and a value system that we have to try and translate to the players.
“It doesn’t happen overnight; it doesn’t happen in just one pre-season.”
Both full interviews are below!
Written By Georgina Anderson
