Dartford 2 Real Bedford 3 Friendly
Sunday 14th July Princes Park Stadium, 12 noon kick-off. (due to Euro Final in the evening)
Jade Charlton, Jo Woodgates, Naomi Nash, Poppy Payne, Georgie Davis, Brionne Fowle, Ellie Dolby,
Shauni Griffiths, Emily Vaughan, Paris Smith, Neve Connor
Subs: Sarah Hill, Amy Russ, Amy Reader, Emily Woodhouse, Xayla-Rae Alberts
Goalscorers: Georgie Davis and Xayla-Rae Alberts
Dartford came out of this, although on the losing end of a 3-2 result, much the stronger after a highly entertaining game with higher opposition in which the Darts defence was kept on their toes through-out by a very fit and fast Bedford side who played with fast wingers and a really tricky and fast centre-forward.
In fact, Real Bedford nearly took the lead as early as the second minute after a strong foraging raid down their right flank but Darts were fortunate that goalie Jade was quick off her line to smother the attack. Then another good break, this time on the left but their winger had strayed into an offside position
It was Darts who took the lead, in the 8th minute. A great move down the right-hand side, almost to the bi-line…and Paris delivered a delightful cross into the 6-yard box and there was Georgie Davis to fire home for the first goal of the afternoon. 1-0
The visitors drew level six minutes later and Darts came dangerously close to going behind when a nice move from Bedford ended with a thunderous shot that hit the angle of the post and crossbar.
HT 1-1
Just two minutes after the restart, Darts had a great chance to get their noses in front when a direct through-ball from Sarah Hill found Amy Russ who shot early but was saved by the goalie.
Eight minutes into the half a great shot from Brionne. She saw the goalie out of her position and shot for goal. Her shot curled and curved but unfortunately didn’t have enough on it to squeeze inside the post and Real were relieved to see it sail just inches past the post.
Darts had begun to really unsettle a strong-looking Real defence but just as it seemed the Darts could carve out a lead – the opposite happened. In the 57th minute a really classy breakaway saw Bedford score their second to give them the lead.
A good lay-off from Amy Russ produced a clean strike from Sarah Hill but her straight shot was well seen by the goalie and calmly dealt with.
Halfway through the second half Jade had to be at her best to thwart a strong shot.
After 72 minutes Real struck again. They had taken the upper hand since taking a 2-1 lead and the third was well-placed out of the reach of Jade.
Darts finished stronger and in the 85th minute a great team move saw the ball fall to Xayla. She made strides towards goal and unleashed a great shot. Then minutes later, a long range effort from Amy Russ wasn’t too far away.
Darts couldn’t quite force an equaliser, which, on balance might have been due, but Real Bedford played out the last few minutes with good possession football.
Never-the-less this was a good match for the Darts to be involved in weren’t too far away from that elusive third goal which would have given them a draw.
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THE SECOND MATCH
Dartford 5 Aylesford 0 Friendly
Played on Sunday 21st July 2024, 3pm kick-off on the 3G Community pitch.
Dartford team: Faye Baker, Georgie Davis, Gabby Howell, Chana Hinds, Abbey Davies, Lizzie Adams,
Beth Powell, Emily Woodhouse, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Hannah Cleary, Shauni Griffiths
Subs: Ellie Dolby, Molly Hawkins, Neve Connor, Alicia Adams, Amy Reader
Goalscorers: Emily Woodhouse (2), Xayla-Rae Alberts, Hannah Cleary, Shauni Griffiths
It took Darts just four minutes to get on the scoresheet when a pass found Emily Woodhouse unmarked in the penalty area and she calmy slotted it home.
Five minutes later Lizzie Adams had a good opportunity, but although her shot was struck well, it was straight at the keeper, and then after 17 minutes, Hannah Cleary’s shot from edge of the penalty area was just a few inches off target.
In the 20th minute Shauni played a delightful ball into the path of Xayla who absolutely smashed it home to make it 2-0
In the 31st minute the scoreline could so easily have been 2-1, but a timely Georgie Davis clearance off the line, saved the day and then in the next minute Darts broke back and increased their lead to 3-0. Lizzie Adam’s shot was parried by the keeper and Hannah Cleary following up duly deposited it into the back of the net.
Five minutes later, Shauni Griffiths spotted the keeper way off her line and sent in a really high lob which landed right in the middle of the goal for 4-0.
But the best goal of the day came a few minutes before half-time when Lizzie Adams sen a great accurate pass out to Emily Woodhouse who took it a few yards forward before powering it past a bewildered-looking keeper.
The half-time break came with the Darts well in control to the tune of 5-0
To their credit Aylesford stuck to their task and only a great tip over save by Faye in the Darts’ goal foiled them from pulling a goal back.
Darts’ made many changes to ease the pressure on the players in a very hot and sultry afternoon, but there were still some good moments in the second half but neither side were able to secure a goal.
Aylesford ex-Darts’ keeper, Sade Rider didn’t return after half-time due to a serious nose-bleed and gloves were taken over by former-Dart, Shannon Dunham. She played well, made a few important saves and kept a clean sheet throughout the second-half, but most of all – enjoyed it. So well-done Shannon.
Report by Tony Brown
Photos by Steve Cullum