Hampton & Richmond Borough v Dartford Sat 29 Apr 2023

[Park Life]

[Jonty]

9 changes from the team that started last week. This could be interesting.

[The 5th Searcher]

I’m glad that Dan Wilkes has got a game, he should’ve been back in the team weeks ago. Unfortunately I’ve got a strong feeling that this will be the last we see if Dan unless for some reason he gets to play in the play off’s. It’s a shame as he’s a teal quality keeper.

Glad to see Adebowale get a game as well, it’ll be interesting to see how he gets on today, hopefully he’ll do well.

It’s great that Charlie is back in the starting line up again after his nasty injury, hope he can stay fit now for the play off’s and bag some goals.

Good Luck today Darts, fingers crossed for another 3pts although we are safe no matter what the result is. Always good to carry on a winning run though especially with the play offs next week.

COME ON YOU DARTS.

[Park Life]

Whitefield cautioned.
Must admit from my view looked decent strong challenge.

[Park Life]

HT 0-0.
Pretty even possession wise but we've had 2 or 3 real decent opportunities.

[Park Life]

Sub:-
Herschel for Sheringham.

[Park Life]

Sub:-
Box for Dunn

[Park Life]

I think he said attendance 1296, good number from DFC as well.

[rick]

[PeteSamson]

Sounds like some very creditable performances from the youngsters stepping up from the Development squad.
Well played Darts.

Dulwich Hamlet must be now reflecting on the wisdom of releasing Gavin Rose from his managerial role mid season. Don't think he would have allowed DH to end up in the relegation places!

Congratulations to everybody involved in getting the Darts into that 2nd spot. Now we need to push on.

COYD

[Mark Sweet]

No shame in a 0-0 with heavy rotation, especially when some academy lads were involved. A clean sheet is always pleasing especially on a day like today.

As I said earlier, the main thing was escaping injuries and suspensions and it looks like we have done that so fingers crossed everyone is fit for the playoffs.

We play the winner of Chelmsford vs St Albans which will be interesting whoever we face, you'd expect it to be Chelmsford but you wouldn't have expected them to lose today.

We've achieved what was set out at the start of the season with points in hand so massive credit to Dowse and all of the management, now it's time to get behind the lads and try and help them over the line. Get those tickets purchased and be there next Sunday!!!

COYD

[Ajaxman DFC]

The final whistle blows and the French survive.

Shame the Dartford Vets got relegated though.

[The Duke]

That sounds like a really good performance by mostly Darts fringe players , how did the new centre back [Adebowle] play and did Richard Chin do well at right back as I have felt that this over the past 2 months has been a weakness ????????????????

Hope the non players today will be suitably recharged and have plenty of energy for the semi final next week = see you there !!!!!!!!!!!

[The Duke]

That sounds like a really good performance by mostly Darts fringe players , how did the new centre back [Adebowle] play and did Richard Chin do well at right back as I have felt that this over the past 2 months has been a weakness ????????????????

Hope the non players today will be suitably recharged and have plenty of energy for the semi final next week = see you there !!!!!!!!!!!

[rick]

Match Report by Chris Palmer

The final game of the regular season saw Dartford earn a goalless draw at Hampton & Richmond Borough, as 1,293 supporters enjoyed the glorious sunshine at The Beveree Stadium.

With the Darts having secured second position last week and Hampton & Richmond being safe, there was literally nothing to play for this afternoon, and that was virtually reflected in the action on the pitch.

As expected, Dartford manager Alan Dowson made numerous changes in personnel in order to rest a majority of his First Team. That being said, it was a pleasant surprise to see Charlie Sheringham in the starting eleven after his return from injury. The striker put in a good performance on an afternoon where minutes were more important than a victory.

And, after a rather slow start, the Dartford number nineteen was gifted with a glorious opportunity to open the scoring in the 28th minute, after being sent through. Finding himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Alan Julian, the striker somehow struck his shot wide of the upright.

Five minutes later saw Sheringham at it again, having received the ball from a superb Jack Smith pass. Unfortunately, his effort smacked back off the crossbar and was cleared by the Beaver defence (33).

As for the hosts, they started the half brightly, but soon faded into the midfield battle. They created the first opportunity after Adrian Clifton and Jordan Thomas combined to provide Daniel Rowe with a neat cross. But, Rowe was unable to test Dan Wilks with his header (10).

Clifton sent a header narrowly wide of Wilks’ post two minutes later after getting on the end of Jake Gray’s cross (12), but more was to come from the hosts in the second forty-five.

Within two minutes of the restart Clifton was at it again, as he tried to setup his teammate Ruaridh Donaldson. However, the latter’s effort was wide of the Dartford goal (47) and would be repeated in similar fashion eleven minutes later.

The hosts were first to show their hand as far as substitutions were concerned, as they replaced Daniel Rowe with James Comley in the 62nd minute. This would be followed by Dontaye Whittaker coming on for Adrian Clifton (81).

Alan Dowson would also make just the two changes in personnel this afternoon, the first of which saw Marvin Herschel replace Charlie Sheringham (77). Then, with six minutes remaining, exciting young Academy player Ollie Box came on for Bobby Dunn.

As we return to the action, we see Adrian Clifton causing issues once again. On this occasion he was the recipient of a great pass, but saw his strike at the near post excellently saved by Dan Wilks (67). Ruaridh Donaldson forced the Dartford shot-stopper into another great low save four minutes later, as his curling effort threatened to sneak into the far post (71).

The visitors rarely threatened Alan Julian throughout the second-half, as they appeared quite content in just seeing out the clock while remaining virtually impenetrable at the back. The defensive unit of Richard Chin, Jernade Meade, Emmanuel Adebowale, and Academy Graduate George Whitefield rarely looked too troubled on this lovely afternoon in London.

As the sun sets on another competitive, yet entertaining National League South campaign, Dartford will be happy with a point and clean sheet to finish this season’s road trips with. Everyone now turns their attention to the upcoming play-offs to determine the Darts’ fate for next season.

TEAMS

HAMPTON & RICHMOND BOROUGH: Alan Julian, Ruaridh Donaldson, Dean Inman, Luis Fernandes, Alfy Whittingham, Jake Gray (c), Daniel Rowe, Dan Wishart, Adrian Clifton, Shane Dunne, Jordan Thomas.

SUBSTITUTES: Jaden Crowhurst, Callum O’Keefe, Endurance Johnson, James Comley, Dontaye Whittaker.

DARTFORD: Dan Wilks, Richard Chin, George Whitefield, Keiran Murtagh, Bobby Dunn, Emmanuel Adebowale, Jack Smith, Pierre Fonkeu, Charlie Sheringham (c), Jernade Meade, Malachi Napa.

SUBSTITUTES: Ashton Day, Jayden Boulton, Ollie Box, Marvin Herschel, Ben Dudzinski.

By Chris Palmer
--ends--

I personally think that it's Ashdon Day and not Ashton Day, but whom am I to point out a mistake?

[DA Mikey]

To whom ought I point out a mistake.

[M1 South]

Good crowd for them! But felt a little Dulwich Hamlety to me only with less dogs & babies present!!
No chance of getting a drink at either bar though, should have stayed in the pub longer pre-match!!
Onto next Sunday, Snorbans I quite like & respect but don’t get me started on Chelmo!!
Bring it on!!

[Tony H]

Good crowd for them! But felt a little Dulwich Hamlety to me only with less dogs & babies present!!
No chance of getting a drink at either bar though, should have stayed in the pub longer pre-match!!
Onto next Sunday, Snorbans I quite like & respect but don’t get me started on Chelmo!!
Bring it on!!

Hampton were ill-prepared for the big crowd they were expecting! Even ran out of beer after the game. Didn’t even have bitter available at the start of the day. The Jolly Coopers it’ll be next time (if there is to be a next time!)

Journey there by train was difficult with both engineering works and rugby at Twickenham causing mayhem. Great day though with good friends.

As for the football - job done! No need to be silly and I believe Dowse got it right (despite my opinion on another thread!) Good to see Wilksy between the sticks (my MoM) and a very competent debut by young Whitefield.

Let’s bring it next Sunday. COYD’s.

[Park Life]

[Fred OLness]

I think he said attendance 1296, good number from DFC as well.

Yes, including a fair number of "Dartford Youff".