Upcoming MatchDartford Women vs Dorking Wanderers Women/November 17, 2024/Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park

Dartford v Dorking Wanderers

Dartford v Dorking Wanderers

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Report

Dartford’s first ever encounter with Dorking Wanderers saw the return of former manager Tony
Burman. The legendary gentleman took his place in the Darts’ dugout as Interim Manager, until a
suitable replacement for the departed Adam and Jamie is found.
Tony’s first task was to get a positive response from the players after the defeat away at Tonbridge
last time out. With three points being vital this afternoon, a shuffle in the starting eleven was
evident. Mark Smith remained in goal, as he stood behind a defensive line that included Ronnie Vint,

Josh Hill, Jordan Wynter and Alex Flisher. The midfield was unchanged, with Lee Noble and Luke
Allen, while Ryan Hayes and Ben Greenhalgh ran the flanks. The attack consisted of two big guns in
Charlie Sheringham and Adam Cunnington. On the bench sat Jay Bacon, Darren McQueen, Cameron
Brodie, Rob Howard and Norman Wabo.

A positive response is exactly what Tony got, as his players played their part in an exhilarating seven
goal thriller at Princes Park. Unfortunately, it was the visitors who scored four of those seven goals,
as poor refereeing left a sour taste in the mouth and left the Darts with just one win in ten outings.
The hosts made their intentions clear straight from the whistle, as they played with an air of urgency
and attacking football. They should have taken the lead in the 3rd minute when Hayes passed to
Noble, who then whipped in a dangerous cross. Unfortunately, Cunnington’s header went wide of
Ryan Sandford’s post. Seven minutes later, another good move resulted in Noble picking up the ball
and the midfield dynamo pulled the trigger, unleashing a piledriver towards goal, which went
straight into Sandford’s arms. Then it was Greenhalgh’s turn, as he unleashed a 25-yarder, which
flew wide of the post.

For all the Darts’ efforts, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 12th minute with a goal of some
beauty. A quick counter-attack resulted in Niall McManus picking up the ball and firing a 25-yard
curling shot, which found the top corner. Dartford hit back and continued to press forward for an
equaliser, which eventually arrived in the 23rd minute, as Greenhalgh’s shot from inside the D found
its way through and into the bottom corner. Four minutes later, the Dartford number 11 was at it
again, as he just managed to turn and get enough on the ball to slide it home.

At 2-1 the hosts were on top, pressing high up the pitch and searching for the third goal. In the 38th
minute, Sheringham and Cunnington combined, with the latter heading the ball into the box and
causing a heart-stopping moment for a Dorking defender, who nearly put it into his own net.
Unfortunately, Sandford managed to get hold of the ball. Then, in stoppage time at the end of the
half, referee Tom Bishop, who had made a few questionable decisions earlier, made another one
when he decided that Wynter had bundled over his man, and awarded Wanderers a penalty. Up
stepped Jason Prior to fire in the equaliser.
Dartford came out in the second half like a wounded animal and attacked with added venom.
Sheringham sent a great ball into the box two minutes in, only to see Cunnington’s diving header fly
wide. A minute later Greenhalgh almost had his hat-trick, but Sandford managed to palm his
left-footed effort away to safety.

The Darts played some great football during this period, as they threw men forward in search of a
third goal, and it finally arrived in the 59th minute. Some magical football from Hayes saw him send
in a beautiful ball, which Sheringham met perfectly. His header flew into the net and he duly
celebrated his second goal of the season.
Just after the hour, Cunnington was replaced by McQueen, then three minutes later Greenhalgh was
unlucky not to score. The ball refused to settle at his feet after falling into the box, and another
opportunity for his hat-trick was gone. Eleven minutes from time saw more great football, as
McQueen passed to Greenhalgh, who spotted Hayes and laid off the ball. Unfortunately Hayes’
effort went over the top. That was the last of Greenhalgh’s excellent afternoon, as he was replaced
by Brodie.

Six minutes from time saw the game swing in Dorking’s favour, as the referee awarded the visitors a
free kick on the edge of the Dartford box. Giuseppe Sole took the free kick, which looped over Smith
and into the back of the net. Then the referee took centre stage again, as he bizarrely sent off Noble
for a late challenge to the shock of everyone in the Dartford dugout and stadium.
Literally seconds later, with neither side settling for a point, Dorking took the ball down the Dartford
right, sent in a dangerous cross and James McShane was there to head it in, turning the game on its
head. Tony responded by bringing on Wabo for Flisher, and the move almost paid off in stoppage
time when the striker’s effort curled wide of the post.
But it just wasn’t to be today. A mixture of poor referee decisions and fine strikes by Dorking, meant
that the Darts ended up on the wrong side of a seven goal thriller in front of 897 supporters. Flisher
was given the Man of The Match award, yet surely Greenhalgh, Sheringham and a few others might
contest that, as every player responded positively and Dartford were unlucky to lose this match.

Video

Details

Date Time League Season Full Time
September 7, 2019 3:00 pm National League South 2019/2020 90'

Ground

Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park
Grass Banks, Dartford DA1 1LZ, UK

Results

ClubGoalsOutcome
Dartford3Loss
4Win