Dartford v Weymouth Sat 29 Oct 2022

[Babylon]

Regulation win against a team who were better than their position in the league Great 1st goal by Johnson ...superb strike.
Wall took an unstoppable penalty for the 2nd and scored the 3rd late on by which time Weymouth were well beaten.
We won comfortably in the end against a team who looked reasonable until the final 3rd of the pitch
3 points and on tother bus stop team on tuesday.

[KSTDART]

Very happy with 3 points but the score line flattered us and I still do not think we are the finished article yet . I would like to see us play with a bit more width at times .
Alex is getting fitter and starting to look like his old self .

Here are the goals


Joshua Johnson scores a screamer to open the scoring for Dartford v Weymouth

Alex Wall smashes home the penalty for Dartford after Weymouth player handles

Alex Wall scores his 2nd and Dartfordo 3rd v Weymouth

PS , DOSE ANY HAVE OR CAN FIND JOSHUA JOHNSONS SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT SO I CAN SEND HIM HIS GOAL ?!

[DA Mikey]

For the third goal it looked as though Fonkeu looked may have held onto the ball for one touch too many before rolling it out to Wall for the finish, but Alex was offside for a little bit, so either a stroke of luck or a great judgement call to hesitate.
If their keeper had got in the way of the penalty I reckon he would still be on the floor, the ball lifted the net up by some way when it registered!
First goal came far too early for me, so eager to see it on the replay. Didn’t see much about Weymouth to suggest they can get out of their mess anytime soon. Great run we’re on COYD.

[Park Life]

[Grassbank]

Weymouth proved to be difficult opponents, playing some good passing football and a lot of long ball over our back line. It almost led to a goal, but Joe stood up and made a good save.

Samir never got into the game and was presumably carrying a knock. He did not come out for the second half. Charlie was being constantly fouled throughout the match and picked up a yellow card in the first half for a strong tackle. He caused Weymouth constant problems and they probably breathed a sigh of relief when he was subbed. However, Alex had his scoring boots on today and almost broke the net with his penalty. Our third goal was a well worked two against three with Alex on the end again.

We will play better this season and lose. Best that we enjoy it while we can.

[PeteSamson]

Once again, another excellent commentary for those who can't attend games. Absolutely first class and very enjoyable to listen to. Thanks to those involved.

The management team wete expecting a tough game from Weymouth who have recently sermed to be recovering from their stuttering start to the season and being boosted by their new management team. And so it all seemed in the early stages of the game. However, as the game progressed, the Darts made their recent form count and ran out worthy winners, so well done to the whole squad, because the subs coming on are equal to the task. Just need to avoid picking up some silly cautions. Otherwise, very well played Darts.

COYD

[Mark Sweet]

Another solid performance from the team, I dont think we were at our best but we were good enough for the 3 points which is what matters. Weymouth looked threatening until the final third where they just seemed to miss the killer ball to really trouble Joe so in that regard it was a comfortable win as we never looked like losing the game.

Hopefully Samir is OK, saw him go down holding his hamstring but managed to see out the half and looked to be moving comfortably and listening to Dowse in his post match interview he seems confident he'll be fine for Tuesday.

A long way to go in the season still and with Ebbsfleet dropping points today it shows there will be twists and turns in this league.

Tuesday will be a tough game, there's no doubt Welling will be up for it and I'm sure Ade will be determined on his PP return, hopefully we get a good crowd.

[Fred OLness]

Good performance.
Never doubted Alex for a minute!

[The Duke]

Dowse wasnt fooled by the 3-0 today which is great news as it flattered us and thank fully their stupid No15 gave us a [handball] gift , they played the better , constructive football and fortunately a combination of poor finishing and really good defending saw us through
Obviously pleased we got 3pts and thee 2 goals for Alex Wall will do his confidence a power of good , I gave motm to Tom Bonner , great defending once again and special mention for Charlie Sheringham who at 34 still puts in a great shift and still a class act !!!!

I hope we raise our game for the Welling game which then would be a cracker !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Harry]

Good result from a steady performance, we were not great but certainly efficient and ended up with a comfortable win.

Some excellent individual performances, thought Charlie was excellent in his hold up play, dropped deep to link play and won pretty much everything against the Weymouth centre backs.

Samir set us on our way with an great bit of skill to set JJ on his way for a brilliant strike.

Incredible energy from the central midfielders, did not stop chasing down in the middle of the park and pretty much dominanted, countless times winning ball the ball back.

Bonner and Essam were dominant apart from one poor header which led to a wasted free kick by. Weymouth.

Finally I thought the referee today was outstanding, and certainly one of the best I have seen in a while. Got the decisions right (including booking Charlie) and let the game flow. Well done.

[Pedro]

End to end game today and with better finishing Weymouth should have scored a couple - there again we could have had half a dozen. Glad to see Alex add to his goals scored and good performances all round. I gave my MoM to Maxwell today tidied up so much at the back.
COYD

[M1 South]

Just seen Webbedfeet are at H&W Weds night, so win Tuesday & we go top of the league!! Now there’s an incentive?
Don’t worry about their 3 x games in hand though, that’s not important!!

[rambo]

Today was not a fluid watch but all our players put in a proper shift of effort and determination
I gave mom to Charlie because he won nearly everything in the air and knit everything together
I also loved everything Alex wall did

[Sleightly Deceptive]

I couldn’t relax until the penalty went in. As has been said before, 3-0 flattered us. I’ve long been a critic of Alex Wall and always hoped to be proved wrong. Today was the first step of that process. He took his second goal incredibly well and that penalty would have taken out the middle row behind the goal had there been no net! I can’t recall ever seeing a ball hit so hard. It lifted up the heavy weight holding the net down a good few inches. He also managed
to get off the ground for two headers but didn’t for two others. But he’s my MOTM. We’re not playing the prettiest of football but we’re winning. Two winnable games to come at home. Just hope the fitness levels stay high. We’re gonna need every ounce for the next two. Oh, nearly forgot. A decent referee at last. Said to Tony H before the game that I’d seen him before somewhere, but couldn’t recall where or when, but do recall him being okay. Best this season by a long way!

[rick]

Match report by Chris Palmer

DARTFORD 3 WEYMOUTH 0

Alex Wall came off the bench to score twice and Joshua Johnson netted an excellent effort on his home debut, as a superb Dartford brushed aside struggling Weymouth in front of a crowd of 1,036.

A relatively even start saw both sides seek and probe, but neither could create anything meaningful. That was until the eleventh minute, when a good move by the hosts saw Samir Carruthers look for Charlie Sheringham with a neat cross. But, Zaki Oualah was alert and managed to punch the ball clear of the danger area.

After getting away with the warning, the visitors then fell behind after finding themselves on the receiving end of something special. Carruthers was the creator, as he collected the ball and drove forwards before feeding Joshua Johnson with a neat pass… and the loanee received it gratefully, created space for himself on the edge of the box, and fired a delightful strike into the bottom corner (14)!

The Terras tried to respond and came close five minutes later when Teddy Howe found Keelan O’Connell with a delightful ball over-the-top. Having managed to breach the defence and get in behind (a feat that would prove to be a rarity as the game progressed), O’Connell was one-on-one with Joe Young and tried an audacious chip… But, the Dartford goalkeeper was wise to it and made a comfortable save (19).

Dartford responded to the threat immediately by taking the ball straight down the other end. The move eventually reached Pierre Fonkeu, who got himself into a great position to strike a left-footed curler towards goal. But it was deflected behind for a corner which, unfortunately, was eventually cleared (20).

The lively Fonkeu would come close later on in the half and, in similar circumstances, cut inside before dragging his effort just wide of Oualah’s upright (45+1).

Meanwhile, the visitors were seeing a lot of the ball but couldn’t do anything with it. The Dartford defence, marshalled by Tom Bonner, was in top form this afternoon, leaving no space available for any Terra to take advantage of. The full-backs, Maxwell Statham and Sam Odaudu, were in fine form in particular as they tirelessly controlled the flanks, forcing Weymouth to play too narrow.

As the second-half began, Alan Dowson introduced Luke Coulson for Samir Carruthers, as he wanted more width from his side. That change would be followed by Alex Wall replacing Charlie Sheringham (67) and Keiran Murtagh coming on for Joshua Johnson (78).

The opposite dug-out would see two changes in personnel take place, as Mitch Parker came on for Ahkeem Rose (60) and Tom Blair replaced Cameron Murray (68).

Dartford began the second forty-five well, forcing three quick consecutive corners early. The second of which saw Luke Coulson deliver a great ball to Connor Essam, which the big defender headed towards goal, forcing Oualah to make an excellent save just two minutes after the break.

Very little meaningful opportunities occurred from then on, as the visitors tried to get back into the game, only for a solid Dartford unit work tirelessly to make their efforts frustrating. That was until the 73rd minute…

A Dartford attack saw them overflow into the box, resulting in a handball offense by a panicking Terra inside his own area. The referee, Mr Aaron Farmer awarded the penalty, and up-stepped Alex Wall to convert confidently (74).

Weymouth responded immediately via Keelan O’Connell, who found the rushing Tom Blair. He sent a decent cross into the Dartford danger area, but Mitch Parker failed to test Joe Young (76).

We then entered the “Alex Wall Show”, as he first received the ball after a wayward Ben Gerring pass was intercepted, before forcing a good save out of Zaki Oualah with ten minutes remaining.

The Weymouth goalkeeper wouldn’t be so fortunate next time though, as an excellent attacking move saw Fonkeu race into the box and find Wall with a brilliant pass. The super-sub then fired his second of the afternoon beyond Oualah and into the back of the net to secure the three points.

In-form Charlie Sheringham was awarded with the Man of The Match, as he and his teammates put in a superb performance to register an emphatic victory over The Terras for the first time in 32 years.

TEAMS

DARTFORD: Joe Young, Jordan Wynter, Samir Carruthers, Connor Essam, Tom Bonner (c), Maxwell Statham, Jack Smith, Pierre Fonkeu, Charlie Sheringham, Sam Odaudu, Josh Johnson.

SUBSTITUTES: Dan Wilks, Luke Coulson, Alex Wall, Keiran Murtagh, Davide Rodari.

WEYMOUTH: Zaki Oualah, Teddy Howe, Ben Gerring, Dan Matsuzaka, Harry Kyprianou, Xander McBurnie (c), Cameron Murray, Tom Bearwish, Akheem Rose, Bradley Ash, Keelan O’Connell.

SUBSTITUTES: Josh Oyinsan, Tom Blair, Tyler Forbes, Ed James, Mitch Parker.

By Chris Palmer

[ozymandias]

Again we stuttered and farted around and, like said, until Wall stuck the penalty away did I feel comfortable. Weymouth definately in a false position and could have been a couple of goals in front until the pen.
Statham and Wynter were doing okay and Joe had hardly had save to make other than the poor finish with the one on one.
I suppose you could say it was another ugly win and 3-0 flattered us. Will have to play a lot better Tuesday and next Saturday. As said, others may have a couple of games in hand on us but as long as we keep getting wins it puts the pressure on them.
If you'd have said we would be second in the league with 34 points at the end of October after the start we had I'd grabbed it with both hands.
My MOTM Pierre Fonkeu, he did a fair supporting roll to both the front men used, his passing was accurate and he distributed well. He ran from one end to the other the full 90 and even got back to defend well. Well done Pierre. Great game for him.
COYD's

[Park Life]

[Trevor B]

Very pleased with the win and good to keep a clean sheet although I was worried that they might score as they looked better than their position at the moment and but for some poor finishing by them and some good defending by us our 1-0 at half time looked risky.
But a much improved second half and with the help of the penalty so well taken by Alex and his super finish for the third we finished with a comfortable win.
An excellent substitution by the manager as Charlie was tiring out there after another good performance winning almost everything in the air and often seen directing players where to go in the penalty area for free kicks and corners and his non stop running up and down the pitch sees him getting my M.O.M.
Alex though was certainly in contention and I can understand why he is picking up the main votes with his much improved performance as we see him starting to get fitter and getting the power back behind his shooting strength something we remember from the past and I am very pleased to be proved wrong about my initial thoughts on his signing.
Finally I am pleased though to see that the majority of posts on here by the fans recognise that we are not yet at our very best and that there are still improvements to be made as we progress through the season and my hope is that we can sign a winger to put in the telling crosses that we need with both Alex and Charlie getting on the end of them.

[Park Life]

First half was pretty even without any side really in control, but a great strike form Josh saw us leading at the break.
Second half we looked a lot stronger than Weymouth and in the last 15-20 mins could have had a couple more, but the game was a little closer than the scoreline suggests.
Weymouth looked lively going forward but as others have said, they lacked a cutting edge up front.
Subs worked well again and good to see Alex getting amongst the goals, he does strike the ball so well.
We're on a great run and Dowse said we are getting players back to fitness which is good as we have a lot of tough games ahead.

We deserved the victory and i have given my MOTM to Max Statham, imo his best game for us.

[Babylon]

Alex Wall has always had talent but some people questioned his attitude and commitment.
He is a good player imo and I hope that he stays with us because Dowse obviously rates him and he proved what handful he can be against Weymouth.
46 league games means that we need a strong squad not just a best eleven.
Keep it up Wallie!!