Dartford 3 Watford U23 5
Combined Counties Midweek Cup – Round 2; Played on Wednesday 6th March 2024 at PP Stadium
Dartford team: Talisha Hickson, Ella Brian, Charlie Torry, Naomi Nash, Hannah Cleary, Jessica Carpanini, Alicia Adams,
Xayla-Rae Alberts, Sarah White, Amelia Woodgate, Chloe Brian
Sub (used): Emma Whitter, Tilly Rowsell, Olivia Rayfield, Natasha Hurst, Eillie Hinkley
Scorers: Woodgate(2), o.g. Attendance:
First half Live Twitter feed
2 mins: Goal for the visitors 0-1
3 mins: And just like that we’re level. O.G; Good cross from the right-hand side by Amelia Woodgate. deflected
into the goal by a Watford defender 1-1
4 mins: The visitors re-take the lead straight from kick-off. This has been some start to the game here. 1-2
5 mins Free-kick and the scoring continues … Darts back level through a fantastic finish from Amelia 2-2
13 mins: Penalty for the visitors. Converted, 2-3
22 mins: A brilliant ball played forward from Charlie Torry finds Amelia who takes the ball, under great
control towards the Watford goal, shaking off the defender on the way before firing a great shot low across the goalkeeper, which goes in off the far post for the third equaliser of the evening. 3-3
Half-Time: 3-3
During the game Talisha made two outstanding saves to thwart the Watford attackers, one from a 35-yard free-kick that was hit with venom and accuracy.
Both sides with a couple of half-chances but we’re still goal-less in the second half.
Charlie Torry comes off and gives the captain’s band to Naomi.
A short period of sustained pressure from the visitors finally came to their good when eventually rewarded with their 4th goal from the penalty spot, buried low into the right-hand corner on 73 minutes. 3-4
Watford had a much more organised defence in the second half but even so just a few minutes after falling behind, Darts produced a great free-kick from Natasha Hurst for, what looked like an excellent goal.
This was in the 79th minute – Following a good throw from Hannah to Emma Whitter she laid it off to Xayla who turned her opponent but was unceremoniously brought down and a free-kick awarded to Darts.
Natasha Hurst took the kick and sent over a beauty with great weight and direction and Emma Whitter timed her run beautifully and the ball was in the net for a very well-taken goal. But wait. A surprise flag decision for offside had the goal disallowed.
Watford sealed the game with a fifth goal to finish the scoring this evening. A loss for the Darts, but an entertaining game against a very fit and fast opposition, and was certainly a good run-out and experience for all concerned.
FT 3-5
A great mix of 1st team and Development team working together this evening.
Well done to everyone.
Report by Tony Brown
Photos by Taur Everard