The Dart(s) Board

Wow, it's the last home game of the season already. A season that's flying by faster than the incoming over Bedfont Sports. I'll be keeping a close eye on Dorking Wanderers' trip to the south coast on Sunday afternoon too. Dorking, as we know, can, on their day.............nah, let's not even go there and just concentrate on what we're going to do by remaining focussed on getting another three precious points.

This is good too see. DFC did nothing last season. They didn't even update the sponsors alongside the players' profiles. One player atleast went through the entire season not knowing who her sponsors were.
From what I can gather DFC left everything to DWFC this season, whose dedicated members have no doubt given up their free time to organise their own player sponsorship including tomorrow's event. Those involved should be thoroughly commended for doing a fantastic job particularly as they are not full time admin staff.
It's not that surprising attendances have doubled this season. DWFC have worked extremely hard in creating something very special over the past few seasons and the seeds are flowering. It is like one big family that's worth going that extra mile to be part of where everyone really is in it together, minus the hierarchy or anyone thinking they're bigger than the club.
It's something rarely seen these days at a club or a club within a club.

Went to this match with the good lady yesterday and enjoyed a thoroughly entertaining afternoon in the sunshine.

The match was a little one-sided with Newhaven only managing one shot. However, they defended well in numbers and had a keeper that had great positional understanding. She always appeared to be in the right place to stop our goal-bound shots, even those from very close range.

For all their possession, Dartford only managed one goal in the first half and that came when Newhaven were down to ten players. It looked as though a defender was 'sin binned' by the ref for ten minutes. I did not know this option existed in the ladies league and I assume that it was in response to something that was said rather than a foul challenge. The player involved made no complaint and immediately left the field of play.

In the second half Dartford moved up through the gears. The passing was more accurate and the timing of the forward runs constantly had the defence on the back foot. The goals that were scored were a joy to watch. These were not hopeful long-range shots, they were the product of creative movement of the ball.

The match was played by two sides wanting to win and was played in the true spirit of the sport. Challenges were strong but not reckless. The referee was firm, but fair and was well supported by the two linesmen. To see youngsters playing on the pitch at half time and at the conclusion of the match seems a world away from the men's matches. It was a true friends and family occasion which I am pleased that we gate crashed as we were made very welcome.

We wish the ladies team well for the remainder of the season and hope that they are successful in their attempt to become champions and gain a well-deserved promotion. The players and the whole set-up behind them are a true asset to Dartford Football club.

With the game being our last one at home it felt like an end of season party in the bar afterwards. But with four league games remaining it was actually a leaving do because we're all preparing to go away until the middle of May. That's right.
As players, coaches and supporters we're all going to war in pursuit of the League title. Maximum points with no casualties will be the main objective in order to reach the National League.
I have every confidence we'll be fully prepared. We'll be solid defensively with the deadly duo of Davis and Davies, (Georgie and Abbey respectively) the unflappable Ellie Dolby and martial arts expert Mercedes Bromfield manning the Iron Dome, backed by the latest deflective shield code named Jade MK II. Abbey also doubles up as our long range missile specialist who can hit the enemy from 40 yards.
Our courageous midfield commandos come with bundles of experience with the likes of stalwarts Lizzie Adams, Shauni Griffiths and Gabby Howell led by our nuclear pocket rocket in the form of the latest MIG-31X-RA super fast interceptor, Xayla-Rae Alberts.
Leading the front line will be future England International and World Cup winner Lottie Bomber Cunningham with Bomber Smith (Paris) who scored a well executed and vital goal against our title rivals at Princes Park this season.
And anyone heard of the the Awan Flyer? A very tricky and sophisticated drone which operates down the flanks. That's Laila's department.
And that's not the entire squad either which leaves plenty of scope to unleash one or two surprises against the enemy.

Tony will no doubt upload Connor Brennan's official match report. Therefore I won't elaborate on the game itself. A great contribution from Grassbank though with an excellent assessment of the game. I'll save any unofficial match reports until after our excursion to Saltdean. I'm sure there'll be no shortage of material available for that one. Infact I doubt if there will be enough reports to cover everything! Indeed there could be enough for a book longer than the 400-500 page saga on Fifa, Blatter and corruption in the World Cup. If anyone hasn't read it you can find a copy in Dartford library.
You won't have to be an expert in the stationary department to realise you're reading arguably the top brown envelope best seller of all time.

DARTS WOMEN WINNING RUN CONTINUES AFTER 4-0 VICTORY AGAINST NEWHAVEN FC LADIES!


https://media.touchlinefc.co.uk/dartfor ... _3260.jpeg


London and South East Regional Women’s Premier League, played on Sunday, 19th April 2026.

Darts Women were back on home soil for the final time this season, as they welcomed Newhaven FC Ladies to Princes Park. The home side headed into this knowing that three points were a must, as they looked to maintain their push for promotion.

The Darts began the game very much on the front foot and went close to getting the opening goal early in the half. In the 16th minute, a shot from a corner from defender Abbey Davies crashed against the post.

The home side went close again several minutes later as in the 32nd minute, Abbey Davies crossed to find Mercedes Bromfield in the box. The Darts defender rose highest in the box, but headed over.

The best chance of the first half came minutes later as the hosts struck the woodwork again. In the 36th minute, Georgie Davis with a fine first time strike from a tight angle. The shot came back off the bar.

The Darts continued to create chances and got the breakthrough late in the first half. In the first minute of added time, Darts captain, Xayla-Rae Alberts with a fine strike from the edge of the box to put the home side ahead at the break.

The hosts began the second period with real intent and extended the lead early in the half. In the 56nd minute, Elsa Ejupi with a fine cross across the box found Shauni Griffiths, who headed home from close range to double the lead.

The Darts were searching for goal number three and went close with two big chances minutes after doubling the lead. In the 58th minute, a well worked set piece from the home side saw Shauni Griffiths set Abbey Davies on the edge of the box. The shot from the Darts defender was heading for the top corner, only to be denied by a good stop from Elleah Fenner.

The home side went close again four minutes later, as in the 62nd minute, Lottie Cunningham crossed to find Lizzie Adams in the box. The shot from the Darts midfielder forced another fine save by the Newhaven keeper.

The hosts had to wait until late on to get the third goal of the afternoon as in the 79th minute, Mercedes Bromfield with a fine through ball put Abbey Davies through down the left. A fine cross across the box found Shauni Griffiths, who fired home from close range for her second goal of the afternoon.

The Darts made it four two minutes later, as in the 81st minute, Izzy Franklin found Leila Awan with a fine long ball. Super work from the Darts winger saw her round the keeper and poke the ball into an empty net to wrap up all three points for the home side.

FT Dartford FC Women 4-0 Newhaven FC Ladies.

Another victory sees the Darts make it eleven wins from eleven home league games! A fantastic achievement for the Darts in front of a record breaking crowd at Princes Park.

We will see you all at the Gallagher Stadium on Thursday night, for the Kent Cup Final against Chatham Town!

Team: Jade Charlton, Georgie Davis, Abbey Davies, Lizzie Adams, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Gabby Howell, Lottie Cunningham, Leila Awan, Mollie Smith, Ellie Dolby, Mercedes Bromfield.

Subs: Harriet Kwok, Steph Caseriu, Izzy Franklin, Shauni Griffiths, Elsa Ejupi.

Photos Joe Kwok

Connor Brennan