Dartford v Welling Tue 1 Nov 2022

[BRASSNECK]

And top of the league Steve who.

[Mark Sweet]

Absolutely class performance from every player on the pitch. I was worried before tonight especially after seeing the teamsheet but wow that was beautiful stuff. Even Alex coming off the bench made a superb pass for the final goal.

Not sure what happened with their goal as when it was rolling back to Young I looked away, but he made 2 huge saves at important points in the game so I'll let him off!

Their keeper on the other hand had an absolute horror show. Every time he touched the ball it looked like one of our players was going to get it.

Any one of our players could get man of the match tonight and there could be no arguments. I considered Bonner and Luke but my vote is going to Jack Smith. I was very critical of him when he first come in and did wonder what Dowse and the management saw in him, but he has got better every game and tonight was his best performance in a Darts shirt and capped it off with a goal.


On a slightly negative note, no idea what went on in the crowd in the 2nd half but wish the youth would just watch the match and not look for trouble as when they get going with their songs it creates a great atmosphere. Having stewards in there probably doesn't help but it's not my place to say.


What a win!!!!

[KentC.]

And top of the league Steve who.

You have some issues you need to let go of

[PeteSamson]

Gonna be a difficult choice for MOTM tonight. Another mensh for the referee. Unnoticed. That’s how it should be.

Strange how people see things differently, cos the commentary picked up on the ref for his lack of action with the cards tonight, saying at least 5 Welling players should have been in the book, in particular Nelson, who the ref spoke to on 3 occasions and still keep his card in his pocket.

Still, onto the game. I was one of a number who were expecting a closer game than that, given Welling's recent form. However, delighted the Darts once again seemed to work as a team and also took the opportunity to go to the top of the league, albeit, having played more games. Nevertheless, wouldn't have been expecting that after the first 6 games, so credit to the squad and the management team. A crowd of 1711 seems excellent for a midweek game, especially as I'm guessing weather wasn't brilliant as several games were postponed.

Excellent result Darts. A very happy guy tonight.

COYD

[KentC.]

Not just an excellent win an excellent performance. We’ve won some games without being too expansive and more methodical but this was for me an excellent performance.
5th goal was a joy, the pass and the finish

[BRASSNECK]

And top of the league Steve who.

You have some issues you need to let go of

No issues says the man who had issues with Ryan Hayes.

[danson7park]

Excellent Performance and win. I make that 9 Wins and a Draw out of the last 10, some run.

[Skip]

Wow what a night. Huge credit to Dowse and the boys for a stunning performance. We absolutely smashed Welling and this isn’t the two bob Welling from last season. From minute one to injury time in the second half we didn’t take our foot off the gas. You can really see Dowse’s ideas coming to the fore now. The defence looks solid and the two loanees, Smudge and Josh, with the calming experience of Coulson, running the midfield. All this has been made possible with Wynts moving into the holding midfield role and looking so assured. With Rodari and the Fonk running rings round the Welling defence and scoring a goal apiece it was no surprise we rattled in five. My favourite goals were the cool finish from Smudger and Wally’s outside foot pass to Coulson who slotted home.

And if that wasn’t all I won the £228 50/50 to help celebrate going top of the league, my wedding anniversary (today) and my 60th birthday (tomorrow).

Cheers all!

[The 5th Searcher]

This has to be our best performance of the season by a long shot, each and every player must stand up and take a bow.
This is the 1st time for a long while where I’ve had at least 3 or 4 players that could so easily have got my MOTM vote but as Park Life said it’s got to be Jack Smith who was absolutely awesome all game & scored a cracking 4th goal.
This has to be Jacks best game of the season so far.

Tom Bonner was solid as a rock tonight along with the other back 3 and what a goal from Max Statham to make it 3-0.

Josh Johnson was pure quality as well alongside Jack tonight, both players ran their socks off and closed absolutely everything down all game.

Luke Coulson had probably his best game for us since joining as well & what a cool, calm quality finish from him for goal No 5 after a beautiful through ball pass from Alex Wall.

Credit where credit is due, Alex Wall has started to look a lot better in these last few games and is gradually getting back to the Alex we knew from previous. I’ll admit I was one of those to give him a bit of stick on here early season but he’s turning things around which is great to see.

Blinding result and top of the league.

COYD’s

[BRASSNECK]

Wow what a night. Huge credit to Dowse and the boys for a stunning performance. We absolutely smashed Welling and this isn’t the two bob Welling from last season. From minute one to injury time in the second half we didn’t take our foot off the gas. You can really see Dowse’s ideas coming to the fore now. The defence looks solid and the two loanees, Smudge and Josh, with the calming experience of Coulson, running the midfield. All this has been made possible with Wynts moving into the holding midfield role and looking so assured. With Rodari and the Fonk running rings round the Welling defence and scoring a goal apiece it was no surprise we rattled in five. My favourite goals were the cool finish from Smudger and Wally’s outside foot pass to Coulson who slotted home.

And if that wasn’t all I won the £228 50/50 to help celebrate going top of the league, my wedding anniversary (today) and my 60th birthday (tomorrow).

Cheers all!

Top salesman sold you the ticket.

[KSTDART]

Best performance of the season here are the goals

[rick]

[KentC.]

And top of the league Steve who.

You have some issues you need to let go of

No issues says the man who had issues with Ryan Hayes.

I have opinions but I don’t bring up the past and I don’t have issues with anyone, mature adults are able to differentiate, for you to bring up the past continuously is evident of a real problem for you. I think you would do well to seek help and clear your negative mind.
We just put on our best performance for a long time and you comment on the previous manager. I’m glad I don’t live in your head. I bet you’re a bundle of fun in your daily life. Move on saddo.

[BRASSNECK]

You have some issues you need to let go of

No issues says the man who had issues with Ryan Hayes.

I have opinions but I don’t bring up the past and I don’t have issues with anyone, mature adults are able to differentiate, for you to bring up the past continuously is evident of a real problem for you. I think you would do well to seek help and clear your negative mind.
We just put on our best performance for a long time and you comment on the previous manager. I’m glad I don’t live in your head. I bet you’re a bundle of fun in your daily life. Move on saddo.

[rick]

Match report by Chris Palmer

DARTFORD 5 WELLING UNITED 1

Dartford’s excellent form continued, as they put five goals past a shambolic Welling United side in front of 1,711 supporters at a wet Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.

A relatively even start soon turned into a dominant display for the Darts, as they grasped a firm grip on proceedings within minutes. And it didn’t take long for the hosts to turn that domination into a goal, as the in-form Pierre Fonkeu lashed home the opener after just eleven minutes.

The goal arrived via a corner, which Luke Coulson had whipped into the danger area. Goalkeeper, Kyle McKenzie-Lyle managed to make the initial save from Fonkeu’s first attempt, but was helpless to do anything about the winger’s close-range strike from the rebound.

Such was the hosts’ dominance, even the disappearance of skipper Tom Bonner failed to present Welling with any progress up the pitch! Having received treatment following a clash (22), which also required the “blood shirt” to replace his usual one, Bonner returned to action (24), just in time for his side to double their advantage.

This time it was Davide Rodari’s turn to grab a goal, as McKenzie-Lyle seemed to be having a rough time of it between the Welling sticks. Josh Johnson’s initial strike forced the goalkeeper into making a save, but he failed to keep hold of it, and Rodari pounced to roll the ball home into an empty net (28).

The visitors tried to respond, but as the rain intensified, their efforts on the pitch were littered with errors… some forced by Dartford’s high-press, others unforced…! And, with six minutes remaining until the half-time break, Maxwell Statham was on hand to stretch the lead to three.

The defender’s goal duly arrived following Luke Coulson’s corner, which found the boot of Statham just inside the far side of the box. He put his laces through it, and it flew through a sea of bodies and into the back of the net (39).

At that point, the visitors appeared to discover their wings and they had arguably one of their best spells of the game. They came close twice during the closing stages, with Connor Essam’s timely block preventing Ade Azeez from pulling a goal back (44), before Joe Young made a great save from a good strike from Jamie Sendles-White (45).

The start of the second-half saw the visitors make a double change, as Antony Papadopoulos and Devonte Aransibia made way for Amadou Kassarate and Jay Simpson (46).

And, after 53 minutes they were seemingly gifted a way back into the game. As fortune favours the brave, Ade Azeez charged towards Joe Young, who misjudged things and kicked the ball straight at the former Dart. The ball ricocheted off Azeez and, out of nothing, Welling had a lifeline.

The visitors tried to take it too and were suddenly on top for a brief period… their second good spell of the game… Their opportunity arrived on the hour, but Joe Young redeemed himself with an excellent save to prevent Sendles-White from pulling another goal back (60).

That was the moment when the pendulum duly swung back towards the hosts and parity was soon restored.

The Darts attacked, McKenzie-Lyle ran out to head the ball clear, only to send it straight into the path of Jack Smith! Naturally, the Dartford midfielder couldn’t believe his luck as he sent a delightful lob into the back of the net (62).

MMcKenzie-Lyle did redeem himself a little while afterwards, as he made a good save to prevent Coulson’s free-kick from going in… However, there was an element of fortune involved once again because the loose ball fell to Josh Johnson. Unfortunately, the Dartford number 23 could only watch as his effort ricocheted wide of the Welling post (68).

Alan Dowson’s only change in personnel came in the 81st minute, as Alex Wall replaced Davide Rodari, before the hosts sealed the win with another fine goal.

The goal came from an excellent counter-attack along their right-flank, whereby Alex Wall found Luke Coulson with a neat ball, and the Dartford number seven fired home to clip Welling’s wings for good.

The result sees local bragging rights remain in the hands of Tom Bonner and Co while, more importantly, the Darts move to the summit of the National League South table. The captain was handed the Man of The Match award afterwards, in what must have been a difficult choice after such an excellent team performance in front of the home faithful.

TEAMS

DARTFORD: Joe Young, Jordan Wynter, Connor Essam, Tom Bonner (c), Luke Coulson, Davide Rodari, Maxwell Statham, Jack Smith, Pierre Fonkeu, Sam Odaudu, Josh Johnson.

SUBSTITUTES: Dan Wilks, Alex Wall, Keiran Murtagh, Charlie Sheringham, Marvin Herschel.

WELLING UNTIED: Kyle McKenzie-Lyle, Chi Ezennolim, Manny Parry, Sam Cox, Yaser Kazim, Antony Papadopoulos, Sid Nelson, Ade Azeez, Devonte Aransibia, James Dunne, Jamie Sendles-White

SUBSTITUTES: Amadou Kassarate, Cameron Andrews, Thomas Dickens, Jay Simpson, Taylor Mahoney.

By Chris Palmer

[Park Life]

[Mark Sweet]

I'd be fuming if I was a Welling fan. Completely dismisses the importance of the fixture. Imagine having that level of arrogance after that result

[DA Mikey]

I'd be fuming if I was a Welling fan. Completely dismisses the importance of the fixture. Imagine having that level of arrogance after that result

Agree. This fixture at this stage of the season represented a potential turning point for either team. To dismiss a loss as simply “park football” neither acknowledges the gravity of the result nor shows an ambition with drive to overcome.
Alan Dowson has not only proved the naysayers wrong, but has instilled the community spirit back within DFC, which he pledged to do. We will all keep a keen eye on tomorrow’s game, but let’s not get away from the FACT that Dowson’s black & white army will push anyone all the way for the NLS title!

COYD

[SKennedyDFC]

Fantastic performance and result last night. Coulsdon was superb I thought, although can't fault any of the team.

Welling looked awful for large parts and their goalkeeper looked like he'd won a competition to play last night. He was absolutely shocking.

[Trevor B]

The manager got it right yet again whilst a lot of us in the bar were in despair seeing that both Charlie and Alex were on the bench before the game and wondering why but well done to him the result speaks for itself.
I chose Jack for M.O.M. but as others have said this was really about a team performance with everyone of the players contributing for the full 90 minutes closing down the opposition winning the ball and taking the opportunities when they came along.
Their keeper looked more like he had been called upon to play as a last minute Welling fan pulled out of the crowd as he was so uncertain every time he got near the ball.
As others have commented I thought that the referee did have a fairly good game and yes there should have been more bookings especially their No12