Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Man of the Match

Poll ended at Thu Apr 21, 2022 5:01 pm

Dan Wilks
27
73%
Jordan Wynter
0
No votes
Jernade Meade
3
8%
Luke Allen
0
No votes
Kory Roberts
3
8%
Tom Bonner
3
8%
Kalvin Kalala
0
No votes
Samir Carruthers
0
No votes
Jake Robinson
0
No votes
Marcus Dinanga
1
3%
Jack Jebb
0
No votes
Ade Azeez (Sub)
0
No votes
Ody Alfa (Sub)
0
No votes
Kristian Campbell (Sub)
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 37

KentC.
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by KentC. »

I’m a Steve king fan. To me he’s a proven top manager. This doesn’t mean I don’t think at times things can be better. He hasn’t addressed our goal shy attack. The midfield doesn’t seem to control games or at least large parts of games. I am unsure as to what our game plans are sometimes.
Too many players are not great on the ball, first touches seem to be a problem for many it bobbles up a lot. Saturday we barely won any second balls. The desire from some is not there and he needs to turn that around it’s not acceptable to supporters. Give everything you’ve got then the fans will respect and support you if you’re a top player or average. With his many contacts he needs to get a proven goal scorer though it’s probably too late in the season. Kingy for me does pick players who are not performing welI on a regular basis, I won’t say names as I don’t want to disrespect any of them. Personally I didn’t think Maidstone were any better than Dorking and if Ebsfleet could stop leaking goals they’d be above them too. Just my opinion
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Park Life
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by Park Life »

Match Highlights:-

dartLion
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by dartLion »

KentC. wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:14 pm I’m a Steve king fan. To me he’s a proven top manager. This doesn’t mean I don’t think at times things can be better. He hasn’t addressed our goal shy attack. The midfield doesn’t seem to control games or at least large parts of games. I am unsure as to what our game plans are sometimes.
Too many players are not great on the ball, first touches seem to be a problem for many it bobbles up a lot. Saturday we barely won any second balls. The desire from some is not there and he needs to turn that around it’s not acceptable to supporters. Give everything you’ve got then the fans will respect and support you if you’re a top player or average. With his many contacts he needs to get a proven goal scorer though it’s probably too late in the season. Kingy for me does pick players who are not performing welI on a regular basis, I won’t say names as I don’t want to disrespect any of them. Personally I didn’t think Maidstone were any better than Dorking and if Ebsfleet could stop leaking goals they’d be above them too. Just my opinion
Following your opinion Kent C, I am searching for Dartford in the bottom half of the table :o
dartLion
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by dartLion »

Does anyone know if the referee took any action against Maidstone number 20 Deacon after the game had ended, when he exercised his gloating antics at our fans? He was dragged back towards the centre by his own players, and then when released by them went back to our fans for another p take and had to be dragged back again. He was already on a yellow card, so should have been at least booked again for that behaviour, or even given a straight red IMO.
What a nasty arrogant outfit Maidstone appear to be, top to bottom, bottle and coin throwing and playing on a threadbare plastic carpet. I for one won't be disappointed if we don't have to play them next season.
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ozymandias
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by ozymandias »

Looking at the highlights I thought that Stone's defended very well at times and stifled our attack. Although we did seem to run into narrow alleys which helped them.
M1 South
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by M1 South »

How can an elbow to the face (right in front of the Ref) only warrant a yellow card??
But on the day I don’t think we were competitive enough!!!
KentC.
Posts: 137
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by KentC. »

dartLion wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:22 pm
KentC. wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:14 pm I’m a Steve king fan. To me he’s a proven top manager. This doesn’t mean I don’t think at times things can be better. He hasn’t addressed our goal shy attack. The midfield doesn’t seem to control games or at least large parts of games. I am unsure as to what our game plans are sometimes.
Too many players are not great on the ball, first touches seem to be a problem for many it bobbles up a lot. Saturday we barely won any second balls. The desire from some is not there and he needs to turn that around it’s not acceptable to supporters. Give everything you’ve got then the fans will respect and support you if you’re a top player or average. With his many contacts he needs to get a proven goal scorer though it’s probably too late in the season. Kingy for me does pick players who are not performing welI on a regular basis, I won’t say names as I don’t want to disrespect any of them. Personally I didn’t think Maidstone were any better than Dorking and if Ebsfleet could stop leaking goals they’d be above them too. Just my opinion
Following your opinion Kent C, I am searching for Dartford in the bottom half of the table :o


Bit sill that mate to be honest try and think harder with your response. Far more criticism on here than on my post.
KentC.
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by KentC. »

KentC. wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:39 am
dartLion wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:22 pm
KentC. wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:14 pm I’m a Steve king fan. To me he’s a proven top manager. This doesn’t mean I don’t think at times things can be better. He hasn’t addressed our goal shy attack. The midfield doesn’t seem to control games or at least large parts of games. I am unsure as to what our game plans are sometimes.
Too many players are not great on the ball, first touches seem to be a problem for many it bobbles up a lot. Saturday we barely won any second balls. The desire from some is not there and he needs to turn that around it’s not acceptable to supporters. Give everything you’ve got then the fans will respect and support you if you’re a top player or average. With his many contacts he needs to get a proven goal scorer though it’s probably too late in the season. Kingy for me does pick players who are not performing welI on a regular basis, I won’t say names as I don’t want to disrespect any of them. Personally I didn’t think Maidstone were any better than Dorking and if Ebsfleet could stop leaking goals they’d be above them too. Just my opinion
Following your opinion Kent C, I am searching for Dartford in the bottom half of the table :o


Bit sill that mate to be honest try and think harder with your response. Far more criticism on here than on my post.

And if you read my previous posts I thought we could of got something from it. Are you saying anything not massively positive means it’s thought we’re down the league? What’s you point?
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The Duke
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by The Duke »

Painfull 12 minute watch , Maidstone no great shakes but still too good for us , need to go up a gear to win the play offs !!!!
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The 5th Searcher
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by The 5th Searcher »

The Duke wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 11:23 am Painfull 12 minute watch , Maidstone no great shakes but still too good for us , need to go up a gear to win the play offs !!!!
I think we need to go up 3 or 4 gears if we are to stand any chance of winning the play offs Duke. The way we’ve been playing of late we’ll end up being beaten in the Play Off qtr finals let alone reaching the semi’s or final.

After watching the highlights we was so lucky that we didn’t get another spanking by them, they hit the bar twice and thankfully Wilksy saved their penalty.
I noticed that Tom Bonner was the player at fault for conceding the foul on Barham for their goal and then he also committed the foul which gave them their penalty.
I counted that we had just 2 shots on target all game of which 1 hit the post, this just isn’t good enough. Unless we start scoring more goals we won’t get anywhere in these play off’s.

To many players seemed to get knocked off the ball far to easily and only seemed to be half hearted where as Maidstone seemed completely fired up for this game, they really wanted it where as we looked like an end of season team.
We have to go and fight for every single ball and give 110% from the first minute to the last minute, the players should be crawling off the pitch at the end of the game with absolutely nothing left in the tank because absolutely nothing else will suffice at the moment, we really need to finish 3rd or at least try and put as much pressure on Dorking as we can for the 2nd place.

Our wingers have got to start getting their crosses over into the box as well, it’s no good doing all the fancy foot work and getting past the player by the halfway line only to then take a couple of extra touches and lose the ball or put in a piss poor cross.

I really hope Kingy can sort these players out and get them fired up for the last few games because at the moment I really don’t feel confident for the play off’s with our recent performances.

Wilks was hands down the MOTM.
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Jonty
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by Jonty »

I didn't think we played too bad, we were just up against a very well-organized & physically stronger team, who will probably win the league. There are better footballing teams in this division but no other team comes close to their level on the defensive side of the game. It would have been interesting to see how we would have fared with the team that started the first 10 games. Unfortunately, the number of injuries that we have had during the season has taken its toll and at a guess, I would say that this has cost us around 10-12 points.

Unless we can get a fully fit Danny Leanard back, I don't have too much confidence in our playoff games. I think we would all like to see 2 wingers in the team but this will never happen because SK always plays 3 in the middle, probably because we don't have the type of players to play 2 in the middle. Don't get me wrong, they are all very good players but I don't think any of them could play in a 4-4-2 system. If only we had a prime Bradders!

The only thing that made me smile on the day was seeing a couple of their young supporters being sick in the town center and a couple more in the back of a police wagon. I guess that they didn't see the game, like a couple of our supporters at Sudbury, where Dave Skinner read them the riot act.
Stealthelf
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by Stealthelf »

Thanks for the kind words about the MUFC performance but having watched the highlights it really shows how close to an equaliser you were. You may feel that you underperformed but the reality is that had a blade of grass been in a different position your shot would have skimmed the inside of the post and gone in. On the fans thing I think all clubs have bad apples and coin/bottle throwing from anyone is a serious offence. 99% of all our supporters just want to watch a good game, unfortunately though a few always seem to have other ideas. I personally don’t enjoy the celebrating of goals in front of opponents fans, or the “shushing” motion towards opponents after scoring. A couple of years ago, pre-Covid, I watched the Giants V the Eagles in the NFL and both supporters sat together, no trouble at all. I’m not sure how the cultures of two ball games went in opposite direction. Anyway good luck for the run in and I hope that future seasons will see us both in the NL or further, maybe even a few derbies against the Gills 🤝
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PeteSamson
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by PeteSamson »

A lot of interesting views being expressed after this match, and I think a lot of it is down to frustrations the fans are feeling, especially after the scorching start we had in the the first 10 games.

There's no doubt we have had our fair share of injuries over the season, but then, so have other teams too. I seem to recall a post from The Duke regarding the comments that Marc White made about the loss of Prior earlier in the season, but said that Dorking would soldier on with their existing squad, and that seemed to have paid dividends for them.

I suppose it must be remembered that both Maidstone and Ebbsfleet are full time teams. Connor Essam passed comment during the match commentary of the advantages full time football gave to players being able to spend more time both on fitness and time spent on tactics, which part time teams don't have the luxury of, and also more opportunity of building better relationships with other players simply because they have more bonding time together.

My following of the Darts this season has been restricted to match commentaries and watching the highlights. I still haven't watched a match this season, either at the Darts or Tranmere, in spite of being a season ticket holder at both clubs, simply to avoid travelling on public transport or be amongst big crowds, until Covid becomes less of a problem. So far, touch wood, we have avoided contracting Covid. Nevertheless, many of the highlights I have impressed me, moving the ball about well. But listening to the commentaries, it just seems we have missed too many goalscoring opportunities, which is why we have fallen behind Maidstone and Dorking, especially after having had a substantial points advantage over both of them earlier in the season.

Having said all that, as a couple of others have said, 4 games to go in which the Darts need to finish strongly to build up a winning and confident end to the season to give momentum in to the play offs. But nothing comes easy and Eastbourne won't be an easy last game.

COYD
dartLion
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by dartLion »

KentC. wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:43 am
KentC. wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:39 am
dartLion wrote: Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:22 pm Following your opinion Kent C, I am searching for Dartford in the bottom half of the table :o


Bit sill that mate to be honest try and think harder with your response. Far more criticism on here than on my post.

And if you read my previous posts I thought we could of got something from it. Are you saying anything not massively positive means it’s thought we’re down the league? What’s you point?
Thanks for educating me Kent C,. My point was that your post suggesting, "our goal shy attack", "the midfield doesn't seem to control games..." "unsure as to what our game plans are" " too many players are not great on the ball" "first touches a problem" " barely won any second balls" "desire from some not there" "needs to get a proven goal scorer" "picks players who are not performing well - well, putting those all together, if I didn't know otherwise, with all those symptoms, I would have thought you were talking about a lower half of the table team?
dartLion
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by dartLion »

Stealthelf wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 9:29 pm Thanks for the kind words about the MUFC performance but having watched the highlights it really shows how close to an equaliser you were. You may feel that you underperformed but the reality is that had a blade of grass been in a different position your shot would have skimmed the inside of the post and gone in. On the fans thing I think all clubs have bad apples and coin/bottle throwing from anyone is a serious offence. 99% of all our supporters just want to watch a good game, unfortunately though a few always seem to have other ideas. I personally don’t enjoy the celebrating of goals in front of opponents fans, or the “shushing” motion towards opponents after scoring. A couple of years ago, pre-Covid, I watched the Giants V the Eagles in the NFL and both supporters sat together, no trouble at all. I’m not sure how the cultures of two ball games went in opposite direction. Anyway good luck for the run in and I hope that future seasons will see us both in the NL or further, maybe even a few derbies against the Gills 🤝
Fair dinkum mate, only Deacon's antics were far more than just celebrating a goal, it was rubbing in the result. Good luck in the Prem.
M1 South
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by M1 South »

I know how the cultures of 2 ball games went in opposite directions;
Ones played by Brits who understand passion & bring it into their game.
And the other is played by Yanks who just bring a wheelbarrow of popcorn, hot dogs & a bucket full of Coke to theirs!!
Dave T
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by Dave T »

M1 South wrote: Thu Apr 21, 2022 7:21 am I know how the cultures of 2 ball games went in opposite directions;
Ones played by Brits who understand passion & bring it into their game.
And the other is played by Yanks who just bring a wheelbarrow of popcorn, hot dogs & a bucket full of Coke to theirs!!
Not sure about that M1S.... what about Premiership Rugby then? Plenty of British passion there (certainly more that at PP this season!) but 30 players and full houses of rival fans who seem to know where to draw the line between passion and commitment on one side and offensive indiscipline on the other.
M1 South
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by M1 South »

I agree. It’s Yanks & sport that is the problem!!
Dave T
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Re: Dartford v Maidstone Mon 18 Apr 2022

Post by Dave T »

PeteSamson wrote: Wed Apr 20, 2022 10:51 pm A lot of interesting views being expressed after this match, and I think a lot of it is down to frustrations the fans are feeling, especially after the scorching start we had in the the first 10 games.

There's no doubt we have had our fair share of injuries over the season, but then, so have other teams too. I seem to recall a post from The Duke regarding the comments that Marc White made about the loss of Prior earlier in the season, but said that Dorking would soldier on with their existing squad, and that seemed to have paid dividends for them.

I suppose it must be remembered that both Maidstone and Ebbsfleet are full time teams. Connor Essam passed comment during the match commentary of the advantages full time football gave to players being able to spend more time both on fitness and time spent on tactics, which part time teams don't have the luxury of, and also more opportunity of building better relationships with other players simply because they have more bonding time together.

My following of the Darts this season has been restricted to match commentaries and watching the highlights. I still haven't watched a match this season, either at the Darts or Tranmere, in spite of being a season ticket holder at both clubs, simply to avoid travelling on public transport or be amongst big crowds, until Covid becomes less of a problem. So far, touch wood, we have avoided contracting Covid. Nevertheless, many of the highlights I have impressed me, moving the ball about well. But listening to the commentaries, it just seems we have missed too many goalscoring opportunities, which is why we have fallen behind Maidstone and Dorking, especially after having had a substantial points advantage over both of them earlier in the season.

Having said all that, as a couple of others have said, 4 games to go in which the Darts need to finish strongly to build up a winning and confident end to the season to give momentum in to the play offs. But nothing comes easy and Eastbourne won't be an easy last game.

COYD
I have to agree Pete. The benefits of being full time are clear, though I'm still not sure that our injury list is significantly worse than our rivals and I don't think. Kingy's strength is his extensive player contact list, but the flip side is the wildly excessive turnover of players he generates.

Personally, I just can't see how such a constant level of change is conducive to continuity, good form and team spirit. Take Eastbourne Borough for example...
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