BrianL wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 11:00 am
Frustrating that we couldn't hold on to the lead, but Conor's injury made a big difference, as the defence was strong until then, particularly with Sam's contribution, and Chelmsford's finishing was poor. Keiron is blamed for losing possession, but he wasn't the only one to do so in the build-up to their equaliser. Ironic that the two former Darts scored.
The first half was fairly even with both sides missing a couple of sitters. Can't work out how Alex missed glancing the header in from a perfect Samir cross. Some nice openings on the left with Samir and Luke combining well, but possession often lost on the more congested right flank. If Luke's second half shot off the woodwork had gone in, we might have secured the win.
However, we are still 2 pts ahead with 2 games in hand, so lets' move on. Others worry that we aren't ready to go up; probably right, but we have to try for it. We can worry about that if and when, otherwise what's the point. Up the Darts!
Alex was actually flagged offside in the move where he put that header wide, so it wouldn’t have counted. We actually only got in behind their defence once in the first half and that was for our goal. Their 6 defended so well and our attack so insipid that their skipper Trotter played much further upfield, only coming back to challenge Alex aerially, after about 20 minutes of the game. Why did we not spot that and change the point of our attack. What do I know!!?
We were better second half offensively, but so clumsy with possession. We gave the ball away cheaply twice down our right hand side that lead to their equaliser. We had chances to put that game away.
I agree with Dowse in that we lack an onfield leader, the likes of an Elliott Bradbrook (if only he were a few years younger!)
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 12:41 pm
by rambo
Dowse needs to be honest and shake up the starting 11 a little
There was nil link up between wall and fonkeu and very little link up between players in midfield
That has to be change if we are to win the playoffs
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:05 pm
by Park Life
Another frustrating performance and in all honesty a game we didn't deserve to win, maybe a draw would have been about right but we can have no complaints as our performance was just not good enough.
We gave away possession so often and a lot of the time it was unforced careless errors so we've only got ourselves to blame.
This game was like so many others this season where we rely on our defensive capabilities to keep it tight and then try and grab a goal on the counter attack or from a set play. We never seem to control games for long periods which puts us under pressure a lot of the time and is a risky way to play as yesterday showed.
Not sure why Chelmsford seem to think this is such a big game for them (like a local derby) as as it's just another game for us but we should take their over the top celebrations as a massive compliment because they must have an inferiority complex to celebrate in that way. Football has a nasty habit of smacking you back in the face so I'm happy to sit back and wait for the tables to be turned.
We know we can play well and beat the best in this division but ATM we are lacking consistency and i think it's only 3 wins in our last 11 league games which is a bit concerning.
MOTM between Luke.C and Sam.O but in the end went for Luke.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:11 pm
by Tony H
Park Life wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:05 pm
Another frustrating performance and in all honesty a game we didn't deserve to win, maybe a draw would have been about right but we can have no complaints as our performance was just not good enough.
We gave away possession so often and a lot of the time it was unforced careless errors so we've only got ourselves to blame.
This game was like so many others this season where we rely on our defensive capabilities to keep it tight and then try and grab a goal on the counter attack or from a set play. We never seem to control games for long periods which puts us under pressure a lot of the time and is a risky way to play as yesterday showed.
Not sure why Chelmsford seem to think this is such a big game for them (like a local derby) as as it's just another game for us but we should take their over the top celebrations as a massive compliment because they must have an inferiority complex to celebrate in that way. Football has a nasty habit of smacking you back in the face so I'm happy to sit back and wait for the tables to be turned.
We know we can play well and beat the best in this division but ATM we are lacking consistency and i think it's only 3 wins in our last 11 league games which is a bit concerning.
MOTM between Luke.C and Sam.O but in the end went for Luke.
Trust me PL, the planets are aligned. It’ll be a Darts v Chelmsford play-off final at Princes Park that we will win 3-0.
Park Life wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:05 pm
Another frustrating performance and in all honesty a game we didn't deserve to win, maybe a draw would have been about right but we can have no complaints as our performance was just not good enough.
We gave away possession so often and a lot of the time it was unforced careless errors so we've only got ourselves to blame.
This game was like so many others this season where we rely on our defensive capabilities to keep it tight and then try and grab a goal on the counter attack or from a set play. We never seem to control games for long periods which puts us under pressure a lot of the time and is a risky way to play as yesterday showed.
Not sure why Chelmsford seem to think this is such a big game for them (like a local derby) as as it's just another game for us but we should take their over the top celebrations as a massive compliment because they must have an inferiority complex to celebrate in that way. Football has a nasty habit of smacking you back in the face so I'm happy to sit back and wait for the tables to be turned.
We know we can play well and beat the best in this division but ATM we are lacking consistency and i think it's only 3 wins in our last 11 league games which is a bit concerning.
MOTM between Luke.C and Sam.O but in the end went for Luke.
Trust me PL, the planets are aligned. It’ll be a Darts v Chelmsford play-off final at Princes Park that we will win 3-0.
I’ve been chatting with David Ike!!
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:18 pm
by Babylon
3 wins in 11?
I never realised it was that poor.
We must improve over the remaining 8 games if we are to have any chance in the playoffs.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:34 pm
by Tony H
Babylon wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 1:18 pm
3 wins in 11?
I never realised it was that poor.
We must improve over the remaining 8 games if we are to have any chance in the playoffs.
Play-off football is cup football - very different to league football. I agree though that taking momentum into a play-off competition is vital (in any sport).
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 2:00 pm
by Jonty
The result might not have gone our way but it was pleasing to see Sam back and I gave him my vote for MoM. It would be interesting to see Sam play in that Jordan Wynter role and allow Chin or Jernade play at LB. I felt that we got outnumbered in central midfield yesterday and were non-existent on the right. It still beggars belief that we loaned out Herchel as I have still not seen anyone better on that side of the pitch this season. Maybe, a question for Dowse tomorrow evening.
You’re stating the obvious with “will have to improve this squad…”. As I’ve commented more than once before, we will need to put in place a completely different operating model for the next level up, both on and off the pitch, to compete! Don’t you think the club knows that!?
I do but do you think they’ll do anything differently.
Remember last time, when we finished in the relegation zone the first time and got the reprieve the club said “we will learn from our mistakes “
The next season was at least as bad.
So if we go up who knows but going up would be a brilliant achievement with the competition from a few of the others teams being strong
Sorry you're wrong on that! Last time we went up we finished as the top semi-pro team in the country and then had a number of quality players leave because they were offered full time contracts - Bonner, Champion etc
The next season was the one where we finished in the relegation place only to get a late, late reprieve. Tony had already recruited very well for Conference South to have key players, like Lorraine, leave because they couldn't commit to traveling in the National Division. As a result recruitment was way behind and getting a competitive squad was made nigh on impossible
Not sure if this is me or you but read it ..,
“Remember the last time, when we finished in the relegation zone the first time and got the reprieve ”
This sentence does not say we were in the relegation zone in the first season it says “ when we finished in the zone for the first time”
This sentence also refers to two occasions of finishing in the relegation zone at no point did I say it was from the first season.
I remember that first season very well , the amount of travelling, Tuesday night at Bristol Rovers , alldayers to Gateshead driving up to Altringham straight from arriving home at 4am from my holiday, the win against Wrexham the cameras at home with Mansfield, winning away at Luton plus so many more. So many memories of our time up there.
Totally accept I may of not written it very well so probably my fault for not being clear but what I said what the board said is 100% correct.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 3:55 pm
by Babylon
Those were the days in the Connie prem.
The big 5...the nucleus of our team
....Bradbrook ,Burns , Hayes, Noble and Harris.
Winning at Luton and being applauded off by their fans had to be the highlight of the season.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 4:25 pm
by Sleightly Deceptive
Some great days then. A win at Cambridge too. Cameras for the home game with Wrexham as well - but was postponed and played the next day with no TV coverage. Finished 8th. But the NL is a massively different kettle of fish now.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 4:30 pm
by ozymandias
Definately none of that calibre out there yesterday.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:02 pm
by Undercover Elephant
Meet the manager has got really interesting for Monday after that performance!
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:32 pm
by Mark Sweet
Undercover Elephant wrote: ↑Sun Mar 26, 2023 8:02 pm
Meet the manager has got really interesting for Monday after that performance!
I hope it doesn't change too much and people don't ask 'reactionary' questions. We're still in a good position and have games in hand to hopefully cement that position, we're just on a bad run at the moment.
Unsure if I am able to attend at the moment, but trust it will be a successful/informative evening.
Agree entirely with the last three paragraph's. Dowse recognises what has got to be done at the club next year whether we go up or not. If we go up we'll get slaughtered, if we stay down prepare for a few more seasons in NLS.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2023 8:41 am
by ozymandias
Even the commentator didn't sound surprised when the winner went in.
Re: Dartford v Chelmsford City Sat 25 Mar 2023
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2023 7:44 am
by tommytollbooth
Driving home from Princes Park Saturday listening to Radio Kent their commentator stated "Dartford have just snatched defeat from the jaws of victory Ebbsfleet are now 21 points ahead". How on earth did we thrash them twice?
