Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Man of the Match

Poll ended at Tue Mar 14, 2023 4:56 pm

Dan Wilks
3
7%
Samir Carruthers
1
2%
Tom Bonner
2
4%
Luke Coulson
34
76%
Luke Allen
1
2%
Alex Wall
0
No votes
Keiran Murtagh
1
2%
Maxwell Statham
1
2%
Isaac Ogundere
0
No votes
Jack Smith
1
2%
Pierre Fonkeu
0
No votes
Malachi Napa (Sub)
0
No votes
Harvey Bradbury (Sub)
1
2%
Sam Odaudu (Sub)
0
No votes
 
Total votes: 45

M1 South
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by M1 South »

Any game we win is a good game Parky!! x
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PeteSamson
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by PeteSamson »

Another excellent commentary and the non stop endeavours of the team came over strongly over the airways. This was a banana skin of a match and it seems Farnborough were well up for the game, so for the Darts to be playing well all over the pitch and back to playing their best stuff is to be applauded and deserving of picking up all 3 points at a very important time. Other results also have generally gone our way too with only Oxford and ourselves being winning teams in the top 10.

Congratulations to the whole squad and management team with plenty of positives coming out of the game. Good to see Fondue getting 90 mins; Sam back in contention after his injury; Bradbury making an instant impact amongst events. Keep it up.

COYD
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Spike
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Spike »

That's the best we've played since Christmas. Excellent performance, Murtagh did well filling in for Essam and lots of 8 or 9 out of 10 performances, but Luke Coulson was on another planet and was MOTM by at least 10 country miles. Easily his best ever game in a Darts shirt. Other results mostly going our way again and the table looks even better than it did this morning. A very good day.
Mark Sweet
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Mark Sweet »

Very happy after watching that. I was worried pre game especially after seeing the team sheet but we put in a good performance and got all 3 points which is key.

First half I thought Farnborough probably edged it, but we should've had 2 goals (I have no idea how the 2nd was ruled out, definitely didn't look like a push from where I was standing) and Kieran was very unlucky to hit the bar with a great strike. Farnborough seemed to put together the better attacks more consistently and just missed the finish at the end, with Dan pulling off some important saves.

Second half we were the better team and showed that we deserved our win. We played some of the best football I've seen at PP this season putting together some nice passing moves to get through their defence, but like Farnborough in the first half just missed the final ball at times. It was a shame that we gave up the clean sheet, but I think Farnborough deserved a goal from how they played so can't have too many complaints.

You could justify giving anyone MOTM. I have been extremely critical of Murtagh recently, but he looked very good in the back four. Isaac had a very good game on his side and was causing problems going forward as well as looking solid when defending. The midfield was much better today with Samir and Jack being able to get on the ball which took pressure off the defenders allowing us to build up more attacks. My vote however is going to Coulson, in what was probably his best game in a Darts shirt. The 2nd goal was just top class not only to go around the keeper but also to wait for the defender to commit before rolling it into an empty net. The setup on Bradbury's third goal was also class.

Credit to Farnborough, as I said they played some nice football and put together some good moves. If they do end up in the playoffs then they will be a tough team to beat.

COYD!!
BRASSNECK
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by BRASSNECK »

Mark Sweet wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:18 pm Strange lineup in my opinion. Murtagh still starting, no Essam whatsoever (unless he's suspended) and still going with the same attack despite being underwhelming.

Good to see Sam back on the bench.

COYD, must win.
oh ye of little faith. :D
Mark Sweet
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Mark Sweet »

BRASSNECK wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 5:42 pm
Mark Sweet wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:18 pm Strange lineup in my opinion. Murtagh still starting, no Essam whatsoever (unless he's suspended) and still going with the same attack despite being underwhelming.

Good to see Sam back on the bench.

COYD, must win.
oh ye of little faith. :D
I'm glad I was proven extremely wrong! In Dowse we trust

Full credit to Murtagh today especially as I've said in my report.
BRASSNECK
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by BRASSNECK »

Mark Sweet wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 5:45 pm
BRASSNECK wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 5:42 pm
Mark Sweet wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 2:18 pm Strange lineup in my opinion. Murtagh still starting, no Essam whatsoever (unless he's suspended) and still going with the same attack despite being underwhelming.

Good to see Sam back on the bench.

COYD, must win.
oh ye of little faith. :D
I'm glad I was proven extremely wrong! In Dowse we trust

Full credit to Murtagh today especially as I've said in my report.
I posted then saw your report a pretty fair assessment.
Lennylenny
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Lennylenny »

Up the darts was so happy with the result instead of posting , he got his mum to make him his favourite tea
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Park Life
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Park Life »

What an enjoyable game and credit to both teams for playing attractive attacking football.

First half was pretty even but could easily have been 3 or 4 all, second half we were the better side and ran out deserved winners.
Still not sure why Statham's goal was disallowed as it looked ok to me so looking forward to the highlights.

We've not been at our best recently so it was good to see some great football with the type of performance we know our players are capable of, hopefully this will be the start of a great finish to the season.

Our position has improved again as only us and Oxford in the top 10 won today.

In normal circumstances there would be 5 or 6 players in contention for MOTM such was the performance today, but Luke Coulson was on another level and ran out easy winner. He was absolute quality today.

Really pleased for Dowse as he's had some real tough decisions and selection headaches to deal with this week.
KSTDART
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by KSTDART »

I will be the first to admit I was a bit worried when I saw the line up even more when you consider our form and then we pull out a performance like that . We were superb .. Gone was the hit and hope football, replaced by a slick passing game .

Enjoy the goals

Max Statham scores Dartford’s 1st v Farnborough



Coulson scores Dartford’s 2nd v Farnborough



Bradbury scores Dartford’s 3rd on his debut v Farnborough

Hitchin Dart79
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Hitchin Dart79 »

At last a decent cohesive performance from back to front. Thought the key was the fast start pushing them back from the off. We took our foot off the accelerator for 20mins after that when they could have scored a couple and then we upped the ante in the second half with the excellent coulson doing his thing beautifully for the 2nd! Good start for the new lad and hopefully we can keep going til may as
Nothing to fear!
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DA Mikey
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by DA Mikey »

Very happy with the performance today.
A great example of why we should never get too high or too low.
One step closer to finishing in that all important 2nd spot.

In other news, I heard that Elliot Bradbrook’s testimonial match is scheduled for April 23rd. Save the date!
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Park Life
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Park Life »

Does anyone know the 50/50 result today??
BRASSNECK
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by BRASSNECK »

Park Life wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 7:31 pm Does anyone know the 50/50 result today??
7978
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MickW
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by MickW »

Coulson takes mom but an excellent display by everyone.
Three special mentions though - Keiran played really well at centre half, Wilkes is easily our best keeper and Napa deserves more game time.
Good luck to the new fella for getting a goal on debut - nothing could endear him more to the fans. He looks a lot more mobile than Alex so hopefully will sharpen our forward play.
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Park Life
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Park Life »

BRASSNECK wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 7:36 pm
Park Life wrote: Sat Mar 11, 2023 7:31 pm Does anyone know the 50/50 result today??
7978
Thanks mate.
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Sleightly Deceptive
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Sleightly Deceptive »

I was worried when I saw the line up. I was still a little worried at half time as Farnborough’s poor finishing cost them. Absolutely no idea why we had a goal disallowed though. Second half was a treat. Proper football again and Coulson on fire. 👏 👏 MOTM for sure, but there were so many good performances. Murtagh played very well out of position.
Tony H
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by Tony H »

Great performance - congratulations everyone. Dowse had his mum and dad at the game today and I knew that was worth a goal start!

Every player exceptional today but Luke Coulson different gravy, gets my MotM vote.

Have we got our mojo back? Can we sustain those levels of beautifulness in the run in? I, for one believe we have/can.

Another howler of a performance from the match officials though denying us a second goal in the first half (absolutely beggars belief! 🤷) Shows we can do it without those shocking decisions though.

So pleased for Murts after what I consider to be unfair criticism levelled at him during the week. I kid you not, his experience will prove beneficial in the run in.
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rick
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by rick »

Match Report by Chris Palmer

Dartford returned to winning ways with a fine performance against Farnborough, in an entertaining encounter in front of 1,017 supporters at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.

Despite Alan Dowson having to shuffle his squad and place midfielder Keiran Murtagh into an injury-hit defensive unit, the Darts started brightly and were ahead within six minutes.

Maxwell Statham was the man to open the scoring after getting on the end of a Samir Carruthers corner to net his fifth league goal of the season.

However, The Yellows responded well and were a little unfortunate to not at least test goalkeeper Dan Wilks in the 16th minute after excellent work involving Jack Ball. The right wingback managed to get forward before finding Ricky Holmes with a delightfully teasing cross. The latter couldn’t apply the finish though, sending his effort over the crossbar from close-range instead.

The hosts came close once again after Murtagh’s terrific effort following another Carruthers corner smacked off the crossbar (20), before Statham thought he’d doubled his side’s lead five minutes later. Unfortunately, his goal was chalked off by referee, Mr Ryan Atkins after an apparent push on goalkeeper Jack Turner (25).

Farnborough certainly weren’t out of the contest though, and Jonathon Page tried an ambitious effort from distance in the 31st minute, which failed to trouble Dan Wilks before Selim Saied sent a shot wide of the upright nine minutes later.

It was as you were at the start of the second forty-five, yet the Darts were exploiting more space on their left-flank. And, soon enough, they’d doubled their advantage via a brilliant solo effort from eventual Man of The Match Luke Coulson. The number seven broke free on the left-flank, raced into the box, sold goalkeeper Jack Turner the dummy, before calmly slotting the ball home (50).

Two almost became three a couple of minutes later after another terrific break by Coulson. However, on this occasion he found Alex Wall with a neat pass, but the latter couldn’t apply the finish (52).

The visitors were the first to react as far as substitutions are concerned, making their first change in the 61st minute as Ricky Holmes made way for Zaid Al-Husaini. That would be followed by a double swap after 70 minutes, when Chike Kandi and Alfie Saunders came on for Freddie Grant and Jordan Norville-Williams respectively.

Meanwhile, Dartford would swap Samir Carruthers with Malachi Napa (65), Alex Wall with Harvey Bradbury (73), before Sam Odaudu came on to replace Luke Allen (88).

Returning to the action, Boro came close to halving the deficit with twelve minutes remaining when Kevin Lokko found Harry Parsons with a neat header, only for the former to miss the opportunity (78) before the Darts put the game out of reach.

And it was a debut goal for loanee Harvey Bradbury, who’d only recently arrived from Woking and only come onto the pitch several minutes earlier. A terrific attack lead by Coulson saw him find Bradbury with a neat through-ball which breached the Farnborough backline. Bradbury was away and went on to open his Dartford account with a neat finish to secure the points (82).

The visitors responded in the 84th minute, after Harry Parsons found the back of the net following a ball from Lokko, but it was no more than a late consolation, as the Darts saw out the remainder of the game to register a well-deserved three points.

The result ensures that Tom Bonner and Co remain in a solid second place in the National League South table, while maintaining the gap to the chasing pack.

TEAMS

DARTFORD: Dan Wilks, Samir Carruthers, Tom Bonner (c), Luke Coulson, Luke Allen, Alex Wall, Keiran Murtagh, Maxwell Statham, Isaac Ogundere, Jack Smith, Pierre Fonkeu.

SUBSTITUTES: Harvey Bradbury, Sam Odaudu, George Whitefield, Ben Dudzinski, Malachi Napa.

FARNBOROUGH: Jack Turner, Jack Ball, Freddie Grant, Courtney Fearn, Kevin Lokko (c), Ricky Holmes, Harry Parsons, Adam Lovatt, Jonathon Page, Selim Saied, Jordan Norville-Williams.

SUBSTITUTES: Ronan Silva, Chike Kandi, Zaid Al-Husaini, Connor Lawless, Alfie Saunders.

By Chris Palmer
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rick
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Re: Dartford v Farnborough Sat 11 Mar 2023

Post by rick »

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