DARTFORD 7-0 BENFICA

[Ajaxman DFC]

For those fortunate to be there must still be catching their breath after this one.
A masterclass, if that's the correct terminology these days, or mistressclass in total football. A certain Dutch international by the name of Ruud Gullit would have described it as sexy football. Our girls dominated throughout. Benfica couldn't live with them. The ladies must be proud to have returned Princes Park to being a fortress again. Atleast on Sundays anyway, where the opposition arrive praying for damage limitation rather than expecting to help themselves to three points.
And I think the word is getting around. Atleast one or two came away from Princes Park Sunday having found the perfect cure for their match day hangover from the day before.
We didn't have to wait long for the blitz to commence.
A great cross by Shauni found Emily Vaughan whose well placed header got the goal fest underway.
16 minutes in Beth took a whack on the nose and had to leave the field of play. But the warrior returned in the second half.
A well executed chip over the keeper from just inside the box on 23 mins from Amy Russ made it 2-0. Depending on your view point, some thought it was a cross but from where I was standing I'm 100% sure she meant it. Amy's own acute awareness would have told her a cross was pointless because no one would have been on the end of it.
4 minutes later it was 3-0. Emily Woodhouse calmly and intelligently rolling the ball over the line from several yards out. How many players do we see up and down the country on Saturday afternoons, who go for glory by smashing the ball from a similar position only to see their shot blaze over the bar of an open goal? Causing themselves complete embarrassment backed by groans from the fans.
With 5 minutes left until half time a great trademark strike from Shauni more or less sealed the game as a contest.
The second half produced more of the same. Our girls didn't take their foot off the gas. It was all about goal difference now.
It was Lizzie Adams who was alive to a mistake by the keeper in the 64th min and nice to see Lizzie back among the goals.
A great cutback into the area to Shauni by Russ saw the vice captain fire home to hit six.
80 mins it was Russ again who set up Vaughany who was very unlucky not to score her second goal of the game.
85 mins Lizzie cleverly played in Russ who coverted with aplomb to wrap it up 7-0.
For anyone reading this who has yet to see the ladies play, they are producing some amazing football out there and are getting better all the time. It's family affordable and a great afternoon out.
I think our ever increasing little band of Dartford Ultras sitting behind the goal certainly enjoyed the game!
Player of the match Shauni Griffiths for me.
She scored two great goals and her support for her teammates, getting back as well as forward, with a display of such raw energy over 90 minutes in midfield was amazing.
An admirable top drawer performance from Shauni which would have left a Duracell bunny standing, looking totally gobsmacked!

[TonyDart]

Thanks to the Girls for a great performance and great goals, and thanks also for the entertaining report and summary of the match from James.

There is another great write-up on the game available from Media-man Connor Brennan: https://buff.ly/4fzls9n

Here are two action shots from Sunday's match from Taur Everard and Steve Cullum - thanks to you both

NOTE: Another HOME tie for the future (date not yet confirmed): Isthmian League Women's Cup, quarter-final
Chatham Town v Dulwich Hamlet
Dartford v Ashford United
Sutton United v Havant & Waterlooville
Billericay Town v Harringey Borough

[Lol]

Great summing up of the match from Ajaxman as usual. A romp on the park from the Dartford girls, who clearly were not complacent having secured a good result against the same opposition last Sunday in Middlesex. This win puts DartfordFCWomen on top of the league.