It was a very different kind of Kent Cup Quarter Final for both Dartford Women’s teams last Sunday as they faced each other in the stadium at Prince’s Park!
The 1st Team came into this fixture with a 13 game unbeaten run and following their FA Cup 1st round win against Abingdon Utd the weekend before. The team were well aware that the Dartford Development team were going to be some of the toughest competition they’ve faced this season.
We all went through the same gruelling pre-season training and have trained week in and week out with eachother ever since. The quality and depth in both squads is so high that competition for places in both teams has been constant and the work rate and dedication to each team has been unparalleled. And not surprisingly, the 1st Team knew that the Devs would be coming for them!
The match started at a high intensity from the off with the 1st team using their often effective high press but the Devs were standing firm.
Emily Vaughan made the breakthrough for the 1sts finishing an excellent cross from Hannah Cleary. Xayer Tyler-Roberts made her debut for the 1st team and was having an immediate impact stretching the defence and driving the 1st team forward.
After several good passages of play through the middle of Emily Woodhouse and Gabby Howell, the 1sts were able to add 3 more goals before the break; 1 from Emily Vaughan, 1 from Hannah Cleary and 1 from Hannah Thomas for her first goal for the club.
The score didn’t fully reflect the half as Devs’ keeper T was on fire pulling off some incredible saves, Emma Healy was a constant threat down the wing and Alicia Adams wasn’t giving Emily Read a moment to get free down the wing.
In the second half the Devs came out battling and put on a brilliant display of defending with Naomi Nash and Annie Whitey controlling the back four and frustrating the 1st team. The Devs also got themselves up the pitch with several promising attacks. It was not to be though with the 1st team getting 2 more goals with Emily Vaughan completing her hat-trick and Georgie Davis with a superb strike from distance.
It was never going to be a satisfying day but we feel so proud of how everyone played and the absolute determination, commitment and hard work of this amazing group of players.
We also appreciate the brilliant support from everyone there, thank you!
This coming week the Development team are away to Bognor Regis in the league. Having drawn 1-1 earlier on in the season it will be a brilliant opportunity for the squad to maximise and take all 3 points.
The following week they take on Montpelier Villa away from home before Eastbourne away for the last game before Christmas. The Development side look to hold their current place of second in the league, and incredible position to be after promotion to the league this season.
The 1st team have the biggest match of their season this weekend and possibly in club history when they face 2 leagues above Oxford United away in the 2nd Round Proper of the FA Cup on Sunday too. Please come along and join the away support if you’d like to, we would love as much support as possible. COYD!
Lizzie Adams & Annie Whitey
(1st & Development Team Captains)