CHATHAM TOWN 3-1 DARTFORD Isthmian League Cup semi-final

[Ajaxman DFC]

OK, let's start from the end. Right at the end. After the final whistle. No, there was no afters. No dramas.
Emily Woodhouse came over to where Mick, Roy, Tony and myself were standing and apologised. And I'm saying this very slowly. She literally said sorry. Sorry, for losing to a National League side. Sorry, for losing to a team who currently sit top of the National South East Division One for a reason. Away from home. And she apologised.
This confirms everything I know, already knew, about Emily and her teammates. About the standards they've set for themselves. It epitomises everything about the spirit and never say die attitude of this group of players.
In the first half our girls took the game to the hosts, spending as much time in their half as they did in ours. Maybe more. I was also slightly relieved when I noticed Otesha Charles was absent from Town's starting line up. Although it was short lived when I scrolled down further and saw she was warming the bench.
Our ladies I felt were unfortunate to go into the break a goal down. Lottie King sent in a low cross from the left at pace which was diverted into the net by Jess King.
In search of an equaliser we got caught in the 52nd minute. After missing a glorious opportunity, dragging her shot wide in our Combined Counties Cup encounter, ex-Dart Amelia Woodgate made no mistake this time against her former club for 2-0.
It was looking like dejavu all over again until 66 mins.
After having her initial shot blocked, Amy Russ had a second bite at the cherry unleashing a curler into the back of the net.
It was suddenly game on again.
Unsurprisingly though it was substitute Otesha Charles who had the final word. The Guyanese international got on the end of a cross with a well directed header to seal her team's place in the final.
Charles is one of, if not the most dangerous player in the National League South East. Over both games I think our girls dealt with her pretty well.
The officials weren't the best we've had this season and several of keeper Simone Eligon's drop kicks were over the line and the lino failed to spot all of them.
Player of the match for me was Xayla-Rae Alberts. Tenacious, totally committed like a runaway train and blimming quick. Just the kind of player needed in midfield in a match like this.

[Lol]

More apologies were offered in the bar afterwards but I batted those away as none were necessary. Our Darts girls put up a good performance against a strong Chats side, and yes, we could have nicked this match. I mentioned that losses happen and we will support this marvellous squad through thick and thin. Still an awful lot to play for this season and I'm very confident that the hurt the girls are feeling this morning will spur them on as the season progressess.