DARTFORD 1-1 QPR. (Darts win 4-1 on penalties). FIRST ROUND PROPER HERE WE COME!

[Ajaxman DFC]

I must admit I went into the kitchen and made a cup of tea during the shootout. It was that nerve wracking even from 250 miles away.
What a brilliant result. Two great consecutive victories against tough opposition. This where we're at and we should be playing teams like this week in, week out.
I obviously couldn't be there through no fault of my own so can't really comment on the game other than, through following the twitter updates, it sounded like we deserved to go through. I'm looking forward to reading a match report, especially on here to get the views of dedicated supporters like Lol, Mick and Tony. Easy Coffee's panel of expert pundits on women's football!

[TonyDart]

Well said Ajaxman, although Easy Coffee will have to wait until Tuesday morning. We have the all-important WFAC draw tomorrow!

This was without doubt a magnificent victory over Tier 4 Queens Park Rangers who came here knowing it wasn't going to be a picnic and a really good game of football was served up. Three club directors present to watch a team that plays with thorough conviction. An unshakable belief in what they can achieve.

Brilliant, just brilliant

[TonyDart]

'Mylo' Lewis-Powell (kneeling) has just hit Darts' 4th penalty and the team celebrate Dartford Women's entry into the 1st round Proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup.
[Photo by Mick How]

Dart's celebrating with their fans after their great 4-1 penalty shoot-out win over QPR
[Photo by Joe Kwok]

[Lol]

SHOCK AS DARTFORD FC WIN CUP TIE.
Oh, wait. No shock here, it's Dartford FC Women that did the winning. And in the process brought some much needed cash in to the coffers. After an even 90 minutes and a superb solo goal from Leen, which saw our girls frustrate the tier above team, so much so they collected four yellow cards in the second half, it went to penalties. Mercedes joined in the yellow card frenzy after having a little waltz with the QPR goalie who fell over. Gabby stepped up first, a calm and experienced player, and slotted her penalty perfectly. Jade took her place between the sticks to face the QPR first attempt. No worries for Jade, down low to her right, ball safely gathered, 1-0 Darts. Abbie up next, a calm head on young shoulders. The back of the net bulged, of course. 2-0. Pressure increased for QPR. This was added to when their next penalty came back off the post. Georgie swaggered up to place the ball on the spot, stare down the 'keeper and blast the ball straight past her. 3-0 Darts. Huge pressure now, the safety valve was about to blow, but QPR got the net rippling. 3-1 Darts. One of our new signings, Milo, stepped up to take her first penalty for the Darts. She followed her routine, much akin to Johnny Wilkinson, and drove the ball hard and low to the despairing 'keepers left. Cue pandemonium. Milo's understated celebration was met by a wave of her teammates running down the pitch and under the ensuing melee was Milo. Dartford FC Women safely through to the 1st Round proper of the Adobe Women's FA Cup. Watch the draw tonight (Monday 6th October) on YouTube @ 19:00 I must admit, there was a tear in my eye as the celebrations went on and the girls came over to thank their loyal supporters. I watch them train and play and give everything for Dartford FC. Their hard work, fitness and dedication is paying off and they thoroughly deserve this win.

[Ajaxman DFC]

Great post Lol. Captured the emotions following on from the winning penalty very well. I was fuming with the incompetence of the rail network through lack of communication, resulting in disinformation from the rail staff Saturday evening and the time tables were still all over the shop Sunday morning when the booking agents then took it upon themselves to replace my online tickets with a link to their Trainline assistant. This was in the form of an outdated chatbot with learning difficulties, which proved to be about as useful as a chocolate fireguard.
I was eventually assuaged by the result at Princes Park. But only temporarily. I'm even more furious now after missing the postmatch celebrations. And now I'll have to spend a considerable amount of time in negativity chasing these cretins to find out what they intend to do about it. Which will include the rail operator Avanti and the tinpot booking agents along with their appointed insurers Ergo as in here we go. And if I don't get a satisfactory answer I'll be calling in the heavy artillery being the consumer watch dogs led by the Financial Ombudsman. And don't forget the press both local and national which I'm no stranger to.
Anyway, atleast there will be the FA Cup draw to look forward to at the end of the day thanks to Lol's informative post. I did wonder when and where the draw was going to be made. Cheers Lol!

[Lol]

Thanks Ajaxman. I only saw from the second half, missing the first as I was on my way back from a cycling (and beer) holiday in Mallorca. A 30 minute delay on the stand at Palma Airport was very frustrating. We easily matched QPR and when we get promoted we will definitely be able to hold our own. Nobody can say our girls were up for it because "it was a cup tie". Our girls are ALWAYS up for it, no matter what the competition. Our four penalty takers exuded confidence and took them well. As proud sponsors of Milo, Keith and I were pleased to present her with a bonus bag of her favourite sweets.
Sorry you couldn't make it. We are getting very close to third world public trains. Wouldn't be so bad, but we invented them!

[TonyDart]

Mya Lewis-Powell, 'Mylo' with her sponsors Lol and Keith celebrate after great win over Q.P.R

Mylo celebrating with Jade

A very big Thank you to Joe Kwok who took an amazing lot of great photos,so we can all re-live the day