FA Cup, 1st round v Forest Green Rovers

[TonyDart]

Taken from the Club's website:
FA Cup Fever As The Women’s Team Take On Forest Green Rovers This Sunday!

Gareth Morgan talks to Dartford Women’s Co-Manager Connor Dymond ahead of their Adobe Women's FA Cup fixture this weekend.

Glamour? Glory? Giant-killing? There’s something about the FA Cup that sparks extra passion and emotion among football fans country-wide.

The Women’s side take on Forest Green in the first round of the prestigious cup on Sunday, after beating a QPR side one division above in the last qualifying round.

But for Dartford Women’s Co-Manager Connor Dymond, he’s treating it like any other game.

He said: “We like to play on the front foot and will try to be a more aggressive as we are at home, but we aren’t treating it any differently to our other matches. We go in to win them all.

“They are the same tier as us, just in a different region and we will make sure we are as prepared as we always are and give it a good shot.”

The Women’s side made it to the second round a few years ago, losing to Oxford United, away. Connor and Co-Manager Martin McCarthy would love the chance to go one further this time round.

He continued: “You don’t set out to go as far as you can in the FA Cup at the beginning of the season, but when you get the opportunity, you want to take it.

“We want to win and get a nice draw in the next round and see how far we can go. Fulham had a good run a few years ago and a kind draw and then drew London City – and Millwall had a good run a few years ago too, and got to the third round.

“There are still a lot of good Tier 4 and Tier 5 sides in the competition, but we’d love to win, get a good draw and go as far as we can.”


The team has been on fire this season, winning all their matches, with a number of new faces settling in well.

The side beat QPR in the last round of the Cup on pens, with a 6-1 win this week in the league against Sport London E Benfica.

Connor continued: “The QPR match was a very professional game from the girls. We prepared really well and had a lot of information on the team and exploited it.

“We controlled a lot of the game and they were fortunate to score from a clearance.

“We did some penalty practice and it paid off, as we came away with the win.

“We rotated a few players for Sunday’s league match to allow some who hadn’t got as much game time, time on the pitch. We said it’s a squad game and it’s important we give every player a chance. We are going to need everyone over the season.

“Sunday wasn’t the best performance in the first half, but we got the job and we showed our quality and character in the second half. We are a hard-working side and everyone looks after themselves. Full credit to them, they battled hard and were a hard team to play against.

“Ellie was left with a cut on the head and knee after a tackle, but is expected to make a full recovery for Sunday, she’s a tough cookie. Apart from that, we look in good shape.”

And Connor saved the last word for the supporters, who he and the girls hope to see in their numbers as they look to progress to the next round.

He added: “It means everything to us and the players. They are working so hard and you can see the difference having the crowd there makes in their performances and on their faces afterwards.

“The home crowd can act as a 12th man. We ask anyone associated with Dartford to come along and show their support and really rally the girls along.”

Dartford Women take on Forest Green Rovers at Princes Park on Sunday, 26 October – 2pm KO. Please come along and show your support!


Thanks to Gareth Morgan for the interview and website posting
Thanks also to Alex at 'KICKS & CLICKS'' for photos

[TonyDart]

SUNDAY 26th OCTOBER 2025, KICK-OFF 2pm

DARTFORD v FOREST GREEN ROVERS in the Adobe Women's FA Cup 1st round proper.

The Attendance Record for any Dartford FC Women's game is 305 when we played Hashtag Utd in the 2nd round in 2022-23

LET'S BREAK THIS AND SET A NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD






ADULTS £5, CONCESSIONS £3, UNDER 16s Get in for FREE

COYD

[Ring of fire]

After being out of Cups, Ade seems to have sorted the men out, with a good Away Win at Cray Wanderers.
Over to our DFC Women v Forest Green Rovers Women, to win tomorrow and get into the FA Cup R2... And hopefully more £'000's to have earned their keep (unlike the men in recent times!) and boost our club finances, maybe to encourage sponsors and investors.

[Grassbank]

I intend to answer the call for support and expect to have my good lady along for company.

Good luck to the Dartford ladies team in this FA Cup match.

[DA Mikey]

Just seen the result! Wow, well done girls! Phenomenal!

[Grassbank]

My first match watching Dartford ladies and I have to say that it will not be my last. Having got over the shock of how young the teams looked (are we really that old?), we settled down to watch the match from the seats.

It was a joy to watch a match where talented players were able to entertain without constantly being held. One where corners did not resemble a Strictly Come Dancing rehersal. One where players let the referee get on with his job without interference and this allowed the ref to talk with players to explain decisions. This was a game where walls at free kicks were possibly more than ten yards from the ball. The worst challenge of the match resulted in the only yellow card shown. Not one Dartford player went to the ref seeking it to be given.

This was a match where Dartford totally dominated their opponents. Just once in the match the very well organised Darts defence switched off and they were punished for it by a very good shot. Other than that, it was a routine afternoon for the two Dartford keepers on show.

Dartford won this match in the middle of the park. Their work rate was immense and they varied the attack, sometimes putting it wide to the wingers, sometimes down the middle to the main striker and sometimes bringing the ball forward themselves. The main striker has pace and that uncanny ability to keep control of the ball when running past defenders. She is full of running and enthusiasm and causes defenders all manner of problems. She was awarded player of the match, but there were plenty of other contenders.

The delivery of the ball into the box at times was exceptional and very difficult to defend against. Forest Green could not cope with the constant attacks on their goal and the final score of 5-1 certainly did not flatter Dartford. It could easily have been more. There were so many half chances and at least three occasions when the main striker just failed to get a touch on a through ball with just the keeper to beat.

The pitch invasion at the end of the match was of children, friends and family. The players gathered and walked along the touchline and behind the goal to applaud their supporters. Rightly they were applauded for their performance on the pitch. The final act was a group photograph with a number of the crowd that were still in the ground. It was a clearly joyous occasion.

Good luck to Forest Green Rovers for the remainder of the season. I hope that they have a swift and uneventful journey home.

I hope that the draw is kind to Dartford next week and that they get a tie that they would choose, whether home or away and high flying team or surprise package. I note that the next round will be played on Sunday 23 November. I will hope to be there, but will be reliant upon a home draw or a match no more than two hours driving time away as I have a prior sporting commitment earlier that day.

If you have not watched the ladies team play before, be bold and take the opportunity. I believe that you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to the ladies team and all those involved behind the scenes that make the hosting of home matches possible. It was a most enjoyable afternoon.

[Paulcanary]

My first match watching Dartford ladies and I have to say that it will not be my last. Having got over the shock of how young the teams looked (are we really that old?), we settled down to watch the match from the seats.

It was a joy to watch a match where talented players were able to entertain without constantly being held. One where corners did not resemble a Strictly Come Dancing rehersal. One where players let the referee get on with his job without interference and this allowed the ref to talk with players to explain decisions. This was a game where walls at free kicks were possibly more than ten yards from the ball. The worst challenge of the match resulted in the only yellow card shown. Not one Dartford player went to the ref seeking it to be given.

This was a match where Dartford totally dominated their opponents. Just once in the match the very well organised Darts defence switched off and they were punished for it by a very good shot. Other than that, it was a routine afternoon for the two Dartford keepers on show.

Dartford won this match in the middle of the park. Their work rate was immense and they varied the attack, sometimes putting it wide to the wingers, sometimes down the middle to the main striker and sometimes bringing the ball forward themselves. The main striker has pace and that uncanny ability to keep control of the ball when running past defenders. She is full of running and enthusiasm and causes defenders all manner of problems. She was awarded player of the match, but there were plenty of other contenders.

The delivery of the ball into the box at times was exceptional and very difficult to defend against. Forest Green could not cope with the constant attacks on their goal and the final score of 5-1 certainly did not flatter Dartford. It could easily have been more. There were so many half chances and at least three occasions when the main striker just failed to get a touch on a through ball with just the keeper to beat.

The pitch invasion at the end of the match was of children, friends and family. The players gathered and walked along the touchline and behind the goal to applaud their supporters. Rightly they were applauded for their performance on the pitch. The final act was a group photograph with a number of the crowd that were still in the ground. It was a clearly joyous occasion.

Good luck to Forest Green Rovers for the remainder of the season. I hope that they have a swift and uneventful journey home.

I hope that the draw is kind to Dartford next week and that they get a tie that they would choose, whether home or away and high flying team or surprise package. I note that the next round will be played on Sunday 23 November. I will hope to be there, but will be reliant upon a home draw or a match no more than two hours driving time away as I have a prior sporting commitment earlier that day.

If you have not watched the ladies team play before, be bold and take the opportunity. I believe that you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to the ladies team and all those involved behind the scenes that make the hosting of home matches possible. It was a most enjoyable afternoon.

Eveything GB said-

A great afternoon well done DFC ladies

[TonyDart]

Tremendous insight into the Dartford Women's game from Grassbank.
You said all the things that root me firmly to watching our Dartford ladies team. The honesty out there on the park is astounding and also Forest Green Rovers were very gracious in their defeat and appreciative of the warm welcome they received. Big, big thanks to Sharon and her willing band of helpers for keeping us well fed through the afternoon, and the Champions Bar staff also.
This is what it's all about.
Dartford FC at its best.

Celebrating Amina's goal

Photo by Alex Barber / Kicks & Clicks Photography

Jade, Sharon and Connor in the Champions Bar after the match

Photo by Mick How

[TonyDart]

Match report as published on the Dartford FC Website:

DARTS WOMEN THROUGH TO FA CUP SECOND ROUND AFTER 5-1 VICTORY OVER FOREST GREEN ROVERS WOMEN!
Match Report: Adobe Women’s FA Cup 1st Round, played on Sunday, 26th October, 2025.

FA Cup action returned to Princes Park as the Darts Women welcomed Forest Green Rovers Women to Princes Park in the 1st Round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup.
A place in the second round was on the line and the home side sealed their place in the hat winning in emphatic style!

The Darts began the game with real intent and hit the ground running midway through the first half. In the 18th minute, after pinball inside the Forest Green box, the ball fell to Paris Smith who fired home for the opening goal of the game.
The home side continued to create the better chances in the first period and doubled the lead 11 minutes before the break. In the 34th minute, great work from Leila Awan found Lizzie Adams in space on the edge of the box. The shot from the Darts midfielder flew over the keeper and into the top corner to put the team in control of the tie at half time.
The visitors began the second half seeking a way back into the tie and they got a goal back early in the half. In the 54th minute, captain Hattie Jones’ shot from the edge of the box flew into the roof of the net to give the visitors a lifeline.
The early setback triggered an instant response from the home side and the two-goal cushion was restored nine minutes later. In the 63rd minute, Abbey Davies crossed from the right, and with Amina Hanif rising highest of them all headed home for the Darts.

Darts' striker Leen, led the Rovers defenders a merry dance all through the game

The home side sealed their place in the next round with a strike of real quality 17 minutes from time. Darts captain Xayla-Rae Alberts with a fine strike from distance, which flew past the keeper and into the top corner.

Xayla capped a great performance with a great goal

The Darts continued to create chances and goal number five came the team’s way late on. In the 84th minute, Paris Smith smashed home from close range to seal a fine victory for the home side.

FT: Dartford Women FC 5-1 Forest Green Rovers Women FC.

A fine performance from the Darts puts us in the hat for the next round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup! What a result! A big thank you to all the supporters! Onto the next one!

Team: Jade Charlton, Abbey Davies, Lizzie Adams, Leen Ekwo, Paris Smith, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Mya Lewis-Powell, Gabby Howell, Leila Awan, Ellie Dolby, Mercedes Bromfield.
Subs: Harriet Kwok (GK), Georgie Davis, Shauni Griffiths, Rochelle Mayne, Amina Hanif.

Report by Connor Brennan
Photos contributed by Joe Kwok, Kicks and Clicks Photography and Mick How
Match report published on the Dartford FC website by Gareth Morgan

[BRASSNECK]

Home to Keynsham town tier 4.

[TonyDart]

DARTS HAVE BEEN DRAWN AT HOME IN THE ADOBE WOMEN'S FA CUP, 2nd ROUND v KEYNSHAM TOWN of the FA National League Div 1 South West, (Tier 4) on SUNDAY 23rd NOVEMBER 2025

[Ajaxman DFC]

Another very good result from our ladies yesterday. It was worth the eventful journey I made to get there. The day started at 5:30 am, which was the time I arrived in London. The only thing on my mind at that time of the morning was the FA Cup. But then I found myself coming to the rescue of a young lady from the Ukraine. 3 hours later I was having breakfast in Wetherspoons at Waterloo station while being questioned by two police officers over an assault. It was ok, they were on my side. Another officer arrived on the scene to confirm there had been a report of a sighting of the offender nearby. They asked me to accompany them to see if he was still in the area and if I identitlfied him as the assailent they will arrest him. Unfortunately he had disappeared by the time we got there. And I never got to finish my full English.
But I could still find myself going to court to give evidence, which I'm fully prepared to do because the next person who finds themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time might not be so lucky, with this idiot still on the loose. The police are confident there are enough CCTV cameras in the area to track the guy down.
Anyway, what a great draw for our girls with a realistic chance of them making history by reaching the 3rd round of the FA Cup. Our team's victory over Forest Green Rovers equalled the brilliant run of 2023-24. The girls then went down fighting in the second round away to Oxford United 2-0. Both Oxford goals came in the second half with the final goal arriving very late as our girls threw everyone forward in search of an equaliser.
Not only have we been drawn at home again but we've managed to avoid a Tier 3 side this time round. Make no mistake Oxford United knew they'd been in a game that day and they went on to finish 5th in the Southern Premier League that season.
Keynsham compete in the same tier as QPR who lost on penalties in the final qualifying round at Princes Park a few weeks ago. Unlike the West Londoners who were 4th when we played them, Keynsham are struggling on the edge of the relegation zone after 6 games. They knocked league rivals Bournemouth out of the cup 1-0 on Sunday whose league form isn't much better.
Like FGR they are still an unknown quantity, coming from another part of the country, and I'm confident nobody at the club will underestimate them on what will be another great day at Princes Park.
FA Cup 3rd round draw including WSL 2 (Formerly Women's Championship).
FA Cup 4th round RUSSO.
There is no bigger incentive than that.