Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Man of the Match

Poll ended at Tue Feb 28, 2023 4:56 pm

Ben Dudzinski
1
3%
Jordan Wynter
1
3%
Connor Essam
2
5%
Tom Bonner
15
41%
Luke Coulson
0
No votes
Alex Wall
0
No votes
Keiran Murtagh
1
3%
Maxwell Statham
0
No votes
Isaac Ogundere
1
3%
Jack Smith
1
3%
Jernade Meade
15
41%
Malachi Napa (Sub)
0
No votes
Luke Allen (Sub)
0
No votes
Pierre Fonkeu (Sub)
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 37

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rick
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by rick »

Match Report by Chris Palmer

Captain Tom Bonner earned the Man of The Match award in this battle, as Dartford earned a hard-fought point against fellow play-off protagonists Oxford City in the freezing cold shadows of Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.

Before the action got underway, the extremely sad news of the passing of long-standing supporter and servant of the club, Terry Skelton, was announced. At the sound of referee Mr Andrew Humphries’ whistle, a minute’s silence was humbly respected by the 1,018 supporters in his honour.

Whilst the love and respect was shown by everyone towards Terry and his family, there certainly wasn’t any love lost between the two sides as proceedings got underway. Yet, whilst this was an entertaining ninety minutes, clear-cut goalmouth opportunities proved few and far between as both defences refused to give an inch.

In fact, the visitors were prepared to go one step further, by taking as long as possible in order to slow the game down… tactics that began early in the first forty-five and sparked many boos and jeers from the Dartford faithful, followed by ironic cheers when “injured” players got up.

Nevertheless, Tom Bonner and Co didn’t allow the Hoops to get to them, and came close to taking the lead in the 16th minute. Tuesday night’s Man of The Match, Keiran Murtagh, was the Dartford player to receive the ball inside the Oxford box, and only a last-ditch block by a determined defender prevented him from scoring in consecutive games.

The hosts made another excellent attacking move in the 27th minute, as Luke Coulson found Alex Wall deep inside the opposition half. And, despite being pressed into the left channel, Wall was still able to get his shot off from a tight angle, but was unable to test goalkeeper Adnan Kanuric.

The Dartford striker then found himself unfairly booked by Mr Humphries following a 50/50 challenge with Lewis Miccio (31), before an excellent interception by Kanuric prevented Isaac Ogundere from collecting a wonderful ball over-the-top, which would have left him with an open goal if the goalkeeper hadn’t have been successful in his challenge.

The second-half offered much the same, as both sides cancelled each other out. Although, the visitors did actually begin creating a few opportunities themselves as early as the 46th minute.

Josh Parker was the danger man and, tried his luck from distance after noticing Ben Dudzinski off his line, only to see his effort fly wide of the post. Alfie Potter then tried his luck three minutes later, but his fierce drive failed to even test the Dartford goalkeeper.

Dartford manager Alan Dowson was the first to make a substitution. In fact, the Darts were the only side to use their substitutions on this cold afternoon, and the first took place after 59 minutes. Issac Ogundere was replaced by Malachi Napa, before Luke Allen and Pierre Fonkeu came on for Jordan Wynter and Alex Wall in the 81st minute.

Arguable, one of the moves of the game took place in the 65th minute which left Jack Smith racing towards the Hoops’ box, only to be taken out by Lewis Miccio right on the edge of the area. The Oxford player would consider himself fortunate that he wasn’t issued with his marching orders, as Mr Humphries was rather lenient in showing him a yellow card. Luke Coulson took the set-piece, but couldn’t keep his strike down unfortunately.

Jernade Meade then made an excellent block to deflect Lewis Coyle’s shot behind for a corner (68), before Alex Wall fired straight at Adnan Kanuric after great work by Malachi Napa (70).

As the game opened up slightly, Josh Ashby sent a fierce drive across the face of goal (72), before Aaron Williams-Bushell saw his effort deflected behind by Ben Dudzinski (79). The resulting corner found Josh Parker at the far post, but he sent his header the wrong side of Dudzinski’s upright, as the visitors finished the game slightly stronger.

The Darts weren’t to be denied a result though, as they remained solid in a game where neither side could break the other down.

The result sees Tom Bonner and Co remain on their current unbeaten run of games, as well as maintain a firm grip on second place in the National League South table. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ben Dudzinski recorded a third clean sheet in four games since joining the club from Oxford City. Long may his good form continue.

TEAMS

DARTFORD: Ben Dudzinski, Jordan Wynter, Connor Essam, Tom Bonner (c), Luke Coulson, Alex Wall, Keiran Murtagh, Maxwell Statham, Isaac Ogundere, Jack Smith, Jernade Meade.

SUBSTITUTES: Dan Wilks, Kristian Campbell, Luke Allen, Pierre Fonkeu, Malachi Napa.

OXFORD CITY: Adnan Kanuric, Lewis Miccio, Josh Ashby, Andre Burley, Lewis Coyle, Reece Fleet (c), Zac McEachran, Josh Parker, Alfie Potter, Aaron Williams-Bushell, Canice Carroll.

SUBSTITUTES: Jack Davies, Joe Iaciofano, Jayden Carbon, Alex Grantham.

By Chris Palmer
rambo
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by rambo »

Oxford we’re a good team , in fact better than us but neither team looked as if they could score in a month of Sundays. I was very happy with a point so the battle for second place goes on.
Dowse moan that we kept giving the ball away. If that annoys you Dowse tell the players not to play stupid long balls 10 yards further than the most forward player. If the odd long ball falls to our player he has no team mate close so the whole punt upfield is a waste of time and in seconds thd ball is back in our half
We need a striker , any chance of Marvin coming back
Motm Bonner
Grassbank
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Grassbank »

Two closely matched sides only ever came close to ending the stalemate with the intervention of the referee. Oxford played him like a fiddle and he constantly fell for their theatrical dives, booking Dartford players in the process. Thankfully, they carried no more goal threat than we could manage and the cars in the car park were more at risk than the scoreline. Dartford's most promising attack was halted by a blatant body check on the edge of the penalty box by the last defender. The referee looked pained to have to show an Oxford player a yellow card. It should have been red! In the final five minutes numerous free kicks were awarded to Oxford, giving them the chance to launch the ball into our penalty area. Still they failed to test the net guardian. I think the case could be made to add the two keepers to the attendance figure. They both had very little involvement in the match.

On to Weymouth next week. They scored five today. We have only scored four in our last four league games. I feel that we need some inspiration up front and a shoot on sight policy.

Still second and looking good for the play-offs. Much still to play for.
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Harry »

Poor performance overall, but a decent point from a strong defensive display.

We were without our most creative players and it showed, considering that was not our strongest eleven and how poor we were in an attacking sense we should be delighted with the result against a team in good form and likely to be in the play offs.

Results went in our favour today, the Weymouth scout filming pretty much every corner, and set play would have learnt very little.

Personally didn't think the ref was as bad as some on here made out and had a reasonable game, we aren't going to get every decision go our way. It is inevitable Alex will pick up bookings in the way the game is currently refereed.
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Park Life
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Park Life »

BRASSNECK
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by BRASSNECK »

Harry wrote: Sat Feb 25, 2023 9:21 pm Poor performance overall, but a decent point from a strong defensive display.

We were without our most creative players and it showed, considering that was not our strongest eleven and how poor we were in an attacking sense we should be delighted with the result against a team in good form and likely to be in the play offs.

Results went in our favour today, the Weymouth scout filming pretty much every corner, and set play would have learnt very little.

Personally didn't think the ref was as bad as some on here made out and had a reasonable game, we aren't going to get every decision go our way. It is inevitable Alex will pick up bookings in the way the game is currently refereed.
Harry the ref was awful he couldn’t wait to book wall for a good tackle on the theatrical number 3.
I sound like a ebbsfleet fan moaning about the ref. :D
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Sleightly Deceptive
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Sleightly Deceptive »

Yeah, the referee was very poor. Whilst we are on about refs, I can’t understand why we are nearly always on the receiving end of crap refereeing performances. I mean if refs are crap for one side, then they’re, generally, seen to be ok to the other side. Why don’t we get a ‘rub of the green’ occasionally?

I also think that the dearth of referees at grass roots means that the County FA’s are ‘promoting too early’ to ‘Senior’ football and that when they get beyond the ‘Supply Leagues’ and ‘Contributory Leagues,’ they’re often found wanting and being seen to be so clearly ‘out of their depth.’ It’s very worrying. The past two seasons have become noticeably worse than ever before. Goodness knows what crap the Isthmian and Southern Leagues are fielding if their ‘best’ are coming up to the National League.
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by tommytollbooth »

Yes Oxford were a neat outfit but we were toothless upfront, give Pierre Fonkeu a chance to lead the attack with his pace. Alex Wall God bless him is a booking waiting to happen with his size and aggression most opposition defenders throw themselves to the ground and wait for the Ref to give them a freekick. Tom Bonner MOM what would we do without him.
Tony H
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Tony H »

I said before the game (those that were with me would confirm) that we’d stop them scoring but would have bugger all up top to get a goal ourselves - nil all. So, we defended very well, and offered pretty much nothing the other end. Stalemate! For me, despite what many think about our performance, that was a very good, well-earned point.

I found Dowse’s post-match interview very odd. “We we’re only alright in defence, better on Tuesday night”, “bad day” and “we need a talker”. What about I’m closing in on a striker!? Mr Dowson - did you not know that Maidstone released a striker the other week (Christie Patterson)? And why don’t you like Dan Roberts? I do like Dowse but that interview yesterday 🤷

We’re still good for 2nd spot (nobody will catch Ebbsfleet - I said that a month ago!) We have some tough games to come.
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ozymandias
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by ozymandias »

When I saw the starting 11 I thought that if we can contain City it had 0-0 written all over it. Any one of the four substitutes would have livened up our 'attack, in fact Dan could have done it.' Surely Pierre would have worked better with Alex and given Oxford something to think about. But I saw no adventure from Dowse's selection.
Still, Havant slipped up again and if we'd have taken the chances in this game as well as previous games we'd have been out of sight as regards Havant.
Never mind, it is what it is.
Our ball player and creator of chances is suspended and really, we have no one to take his place.
COYD's
Babylon
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Babylon »

Dull, boring,lifeless non event of a game.
A great watch if you have insomnia.
It seems as though we are playing not to lose rather than trying to win.

What has happened to the team that thumped Ebbsfleet TWICE.
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Trevor B
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Trevor B »

I really have to agree with almost all the comments with no attack ideas, lets just rely on the defence who worked hard and held out on the day.
A crap referee which is something I don't normally comment on but from the start he gave very little in our favour.
So with each team arriving at P.P. knowing how Alex plays and their defence quite obviously under instructions to throw themselves down on the ground at every tackle and the referee buying it we all knew that it was going to be inevitable that Walley would become frustrated and eventually get booked for a stupid tackle.
Lumping the ball up front for most of the game only to see it returned into our half appeared to be how we had to rely on the defence to put up a good show and with no ideas why the midfield ball players kept choosing to give the ball away and no second forward to help create chances it was a very dull boring afternoon and most fans along with myself just keeping each other awake with shouts of shoot shoot all to no effect. :cry:
Where and when is a new striker coming to help us score some goals :?
M.O.M. to Tom but others in defence could have won it
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Tony H »

I sincerely wish I had the wherewithal and foresight to be manager of Dartford FC like everybody that comment on this forum seem to have!!
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DA Mikey
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by DA Mikey »

Tony H wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:53 pm I sincerely wish I had the wherewithal and foresight to be manager of Dartford FC like everybody that comment on this forum seem to have!!
All of the answers lie in Obituary lyrics, believe it or not.
Tony H
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Tony H »

DA Mikey wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 2:31 pm
Tony H wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:53 pm I sincerely wish I had the wherewithal and foresight to be manager of Dartford FC like everybody that comment on this forum seem to have!!
All of the answers lie in Obituary lyrics, believe it or not.
I thought so!! 😂
KentC
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by KentC »

Tony H wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:53 pm I sincerely wish I had the wherewithal and foresight to be manager of Dartford FC like everybody that comment on this forum seem to have!!

Just opinions or what in earth is the point?
You don’t need to be good enough to be a manager to have an educated opinion.
Surely that why you are in here too?
What are you meant to talk about on here then?
Very strange post maybe stick to Facebook or whatever it is you do your “socials” on.
Tony H
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Tony H »

KentC wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 3:41 pm
Tony H wrote: Sun Feb 26, 2023 1:53 pm I sincerely wish I had the wherewithal and foresight to be manager of Dartford FC like everybody that comment on this forum seem to have!!

Just opinions or what in earth is the point?
You don’t need to be good enough to be a manager to have an educated opinion.
Surely that why you are in here too?
What are you meant to talk about on here then?
Very strange post maybe stick to Facebook or whatever it is you do your “socials” on.
Thanks pal, love you too x (plonker!)
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Trevor B
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Trevor B »

Tony H writes
All of the answers lie in Obituary lyrics, believe it or not.
I had to Google this to try and understand and if correctly understanding I would prefer to relate to 60's hits by the Rolling Stones
For me at the moment I Can't Get No Satisfaction and want changes before It's All Over Now kicks in and as for manager then I think that you can rule me out of I Wanna Be Your Man
Undercover Elephant
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Undercover Elephant »

No thing to add apart from I do wonder what goes through Walls mind sometimes that was a clear foul on their player he stood on his ankle. People shouting to the ref you don’t know what you are doing was wrong Wall was 100% to be booked.
He then has to play the next 60 minutes without getting booked.
Their number 3 knew this and then played on it for the rest of the game!
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Spike
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Re: Dartford v Oxford City Sat 25 Feb 2023

Post by Spike »

It was like watching two sharks with rubber teeth trying to nudge each other to death. Lots of swift movement and threatening intent with absolutely no bite up front. Sure, Oxford are pretty to watch and had the majority of the posession, but so what? There's no posession column on the league table. Neither side deserved to win and neither side did. We've got a decent side and if we can just get reinforcements up front we'll have a decent shout at getting promoted. MOTM Tom Bonner, resolute as always.
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