Re: Dover v Dartford Tue 13 Sep 2022
Posted: Wed Sep 14, 2022 10:09 pm
We've not had the greatest start to the season and I was worried about this fixture, but crikey, we are Barcelona in comparison to Dover. There's always been a great rivalry between the two clubs and whatever we think about each other, this fixture has never been an easy game for either side. However, if last night is anything to go on, I don't think I've ever seen Dover in such disarray as they are right now. They started reasonably well and did pose us problems for the first 10-15 mins, but their defence has more holes than a Swiss cheese on a rifle range and their desire appeared to be lacking too. Once we got in front the game was effectively over and Darts cruised to a 3-0 lead. The one blip on the night was the criminal way in which we completely switched off at a corner, just after scoring our third, practically gifting Dover their goal. That must have helped Hessie with his half-time talk as it gave them a sniff of a chance and they did come out with a bit of enthusiasm for 5-10 mins in the second half, but this soon fizzled out enabling Darts to see out the game at a stroll, Tom Bonner marshalling the defence superbly and earning my MOTM vote. Probably the most comfortable win we've ever had at Dover. I thought they'd be contenders this season but at the moment, they really are struggling.
As many other Darts fans have already commented, their shambolic performance on the pitch was surpassed only by the ludicrous restrictions imposed on the travelling Darts. No proper signage and insufficient lighting meant that Darts fans were sent walking back and forth for what felt like miles as we struggled to find a way in to the ground. It seemed a ridiculous match to segregate, but we were told it was for reasons of safety on account of them having a group of fans who they can't control and they feared confrontation. Presumably much easier to p*** off all the visiting fans than actually deal with the troublemakers. It is all too common for stupid things to be done in the name of health and safety, the most common being yellow lines painted on areas that anyone with half a brain can see would be perfectly safe to stand in and pose no risk whatsoever. Well if Dover really are serious in their concern for visiting fans, they should be far more worried about the route out of the visitors enclosed area and back to the car park, especially for night games. This was so poorly lit and downright dangerous for anyone who might have been even a little unsteady on their feet. It posed far greater risk of injury than their supporters. Dover need to sort themselves out, both on and off the pitch.
As many other Darts fans have already commented, their shambolic performance on the pitch was surpassed only by the ludicrous restrictions imposed on the travelling Darts. No proper signage and insufficient lighting meant that Darts fans were sent walking back and forth for what felt like miles as we struggled to find a way in to the ground. It seemed a ridiculous match to segregate, but we were told it was for reasons of safety on account of them having a group of fans who they can't control and they feared confrontation. Presumably much easier to p*** off all the visiting fans than actually deal with the troublemakers. It is all too common for stupid things to be done in the name of health and safety, the most common being yellow lines painted on areas that anyone with half a brain can see would be perfectly safe to stand in and pose no risk whatsoever. Well if Dover really are serious in their concern for visiting fans, they should be far more worried about the route out of the visitors enclosed area and back to the car park, especially for night games. This was so poorly lit and downright dangerous for anyone who might have been even a little unsteady on their feet. It posed far greater risk of injury than their supporters. Dover need to sort themselves out, both on and off the pitch.