The Dart(s) Board

FT 0-1

Draw would have been fair imo.

Disappointing to lose it so late on. Can't say it's surprising as our record there is awful.

Havant got battered 5-1 against Worthing, so we haven't lost out any ground to them is the only positive I can take.

Can't comment on the performance as I wasn't there but these late goals really are going to hurt us come the end of the season.

Top Cat wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:26 pm

BAWArmy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:22 pm Not surprised in the slightest. Thrown away a point

Another late goal conceded

Jeez you must be on speed txt ?

And knocking one out at the same time.

Whatever happened to H&W? Losing 5-1 at home to Worthing? Let's hope Slough can do us as big a favour at Ebbsfleet in the 3pm kick-off (ha-ha!).

Annoying result but let’s win 7 of our next 8 games and we will all be happy

BAWArmy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 03, 2022 2:22 pm Not surprised in the slightest. Thrown away a point

Another late goal conceded

Eat a snickers

A draw would have been a fair result. The game was tight throughout with both defences strong. I can’t actually remember a Darts shot on target though and their keeper had probably one of his easiest games of the season.

To concede so late in the game though, and in the manner that we did is dissappointing.

As far as our substitutions go, not sure I’d have brought Davide off, and might have thrown Coulson on much sooner. Charlie ran his blood to water as ever. Luke looked lovely when he entered the fray.

My MoM vote has to go to a defender and goes to Max. So many I speak to are praising the way he’s played this season. Another strong ‘un from him today.

Has others have said draw would have been a fair result, Ref very inconsistent.
I like Kieren but think he gives the ball away to many times and it what happened to lead up to their goal is smith still with us? I think we miss him in midfield.

I think Ebbsfleet will win this league but still believe we can go up in the playoffs

I thought the game was pretty even with neither side doing enough to deserve the win, both teams had some goalmouth action but cant recall either keeper having to make a decent save all game.
Unfortunately from the other end their winner looked like a ball into the box which eluded everyone and went in at the far post.

I think today highlighted if we had a bit more pace/quality in attacking positions, its a type of game we could win.

MOTM for me, Sam Odaudu.

COYD

Match Report by Chris Palmer

CHELMSFORD 1 DARTFORD 0

Dartford’s miserable luck at the Melbourne Community Stadium continued, as a late goal by Louis Dunne condemned the Darts to a sixth defeat of the season.

Defence was the name of this game, as both sides took part in a predominantly dull encounter where clear-cut goal-scoring opportunities were in short supply, because both defensive units were organised and uncompromising.

To be fair, however, The Clarets were the stronger of the two in terms of attacking pressure and one can understand why Robbie Simpson’s side has the meanest defence in the National League South.

Despite the hosts starting reasonably well, the first forty-five was a dull and cold affair. Only the timely intervention by Tom Bonner prevented Cameron James from scoring as early as the fourth minute, as the game appeared to offer potential.

James was at it again in the 15th minute, when he got on the end of Eduino Vaz’s corner, only to shoot straight at Archie Mair before Jamie Yila fired wide of the goalkeeper’s upright following a corner three minutes later.

As far as the Darts were concerned, Charlie Sheringham registered their first attempt in the 13th minute following a Samir Carruthers free-kick. Unfortunately, the former’s effort failed to trouble goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri.

The Chelmsford goalkeeper was called into action after sixteen minutes, as he saved a Tom Bonner header from Sam Odaudu’s long throw into the box.

The visitors were unfortunate to have not been awarded a penalty on 38 minutes, when Pierre Fonkeu was brought down after he’d raced into the Chelmsford box. However, referee Mr Ruebyn Ricardo wasn’t interested, as Sheringham’s effort from the loose ball was blocked well by Eduino Vaz.

Alan Dowson’s side did come even closer with six minutes of the half remaining, as Carruthers’ lovely long-range drive was deflected behind by a Chelmsford defender. However, the defence stood firm to deal with the resulting corner as half-time approached.

As the temperature dropped, the hosts began to boss proceedings during the opening exchanges of the second-half. And, they were almost rewarded for their efforts when a free-kick by Tom Blackwell was met by the boot of Simeon Jackson, but Archie Mair made the save (53).

That was pretty much it as far as memorable action was concerned, until the substitutions began to take place. And it was the hosts who moved first, bringing on Louis Dunne to replace Henry Ochieng in the 65th minute. Their remaining changes involved Harry Lodovika coming on for Simeon Jackson (73) and Samson Esan replacing Jamie Yila (87).

Meanwhile, the Darts swapped Davide Rodari for Luke Allen (66), Alex Wall for Charlie Sheringham (71), and finally Keiran Murtagh was replaced with Luke Coulson deep into stoppage time.

Returning to the action on the pitch, the Darts did come close in the 59th minute when Sheringham’s header eventually found Keiran Murtagh on the edge of the box, but the Dartford number ten couldn’t keep his shot down.

At the other end, a superb block by Tom Bonner prevented the hosts from taking the lead in the 74th minute. Liam Trotter then forced a good save out of Mair (76), before a swift counter-attack saw Trotter’s wickedly low cross narrowly miss the outstretched foot of the incoming Harry Lodovika (85).

Tom Blackwell fired over Mair’s crossbar (86), before a seemingly harmless Louis Dunne cross missed everyone in the Dartford box, including the goalkeeper to end up in the back of the net, as Chelmsford stole all three points (89).

Alan Dowson reacted by throwing on Coulson for Murtagh, but the damage had already been done in what was an unlucky set of circumstances.

TEAMS

CHELMSFORD: Ovie Ejeheri, Cameron James, Jazzi Barnum-Bobb, Liam Trotter, Dave Winfield (c), Kai Yearn, Simeon Jackson, Tom Blackwell, Henry Ochieng, Eduino Vaz, Jamie Yila.

SUBSTITUTES: Jacob Marsden (GK), Louis Dunne, Harry Lodovica, Samson Esan, Finn Wilkes.

DARTFORD: Archie Mair, Jordan Wynter, Samir Carruthers, Connor Essam, Tom Bonner (c), Keiran Murtagh, Davide Rodari, Maxwell Statham, Pierre Fonkeu, Charlie Sheringham, Sam Odaudu.

SUBSTITUTES: Joe Young (GK), Kristian Campbell, Luke Coulson, Luke Allen, Alex Wall.

By Chris Palmer

Just watched the highlights. Giving the ball away like that in the last minute is absolutely criminal, not even sure what he was trying to do. Even more gutted to lose after seeing that.

A big month coming up for us. We've done extremely well to be where we are currently at the halfway point and i dont think anyone expected us to have this kind of start. Let's hope we don't completely fall out of the picture over the next month or two.

COYD

That confirms it then, just a cross which eluded everyone and ghosted its way in. Disappointing end to a pretty dull game, pointlessly played ahead of schedule (although it was quite nice to be back so early).
Thought we performed ok for the most part, both sides were fairly locked up and there were very few attempts on target. Cast my vote for Wynter who made a few good blocks and seemed to be in the right place a lot of the time. When Allen came on, it looked like we might put something together, but alas the Claret curse kicked in as usual.
Was weird to turn up before the bar could serve any beer, reminded me a bit of when we played Halifax at Droylsden in the snow and got there double early.

Knew this was going to be a tough one. First time Dowse has said we were better side after losing. Normally he has a very good reason to avoid an interview.
As said, Ebbsfleet need to get a good lead against the opposition to stamp their authority in what is rapidly turning into a forgone conclusion. What happened to H&W yesterday?
We have got ourselves into a good position by winning games ugly. We are not the finished article, not by a long way. If we can maintain this stuttering season of ours we could be in the play-offs in what could be a fruitful season considering.
He hasn't made major new signings and is pretty well sticking with lads he got at the beginning of the season. In my view a bloody good achievement so far.
Hard games coming up, plenty of ammunition for a certain person.

Very unlucky to lose the game and listening to Dowse's interview it would appear Chelmsford's players celebrations were a bit over the top, disappointing as it's a good club. Hopefully we can get a win in the return fixture but act with a bit more class. Still i suppose we should take it as a compliment as they must feel inferior to act that way

Didn't notice it at the time but it sure looks like a good shout for a pen on Pierre (2:39 mins in).

COYD

I’ve never known Chelmsford over the years to have a bunch of players who act with dignity and class.

Hopefully that’s our team talk done for the return game!!

Judging from the highlights I thought the Darts were more than deserving of a point. Unfortunately, Chelmsford goal came from a misplaced pass as the Darts attempted to break forward (and not for the first time this season) the ball given away. From the highlights, it was difficult to see Tom Bonner deflecting the shot, and the NLP gave the goal to Dunne. So it must have been the merest of touches by Tom from the crossed ball cos to me it seemed the ball was going wide of the goalpost. Most undeserved goal by Chelmsford in which a draw would have been a fair result. Thought the Darts knocked the ball around well for most of the match, which gives optimism for the forthcoming tough games.

COYD