The Dart(s) Board

Dartford have been drawn at home to Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Trophy.

The Futures White wrote: Mon Sep 23, 2024 12:30 pm Dartford have been drawn at home to Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Trophy.

Happy with that but unless we improve quickly we will not progress. COYD

Referee - Gareth Burton
Assistant Referee 1 - Ben Jerrams
Assistant Referee 2 - Ben Al-Shaikh
Observer - TBC

Kent online headline reads Dartford manager out. Made me miss a beat. Thought that's all we need but read on.
We need a win Saturday to get some confidence back. Ade is saying the team played well against Worthing. But there's playing well and getting the result.
Hopefully we can achieve that tomorrow.

Lars Resort wrote: Fri Oct 04, 2024 3:37 pm Kent online headline reads Dartford manager out. Made me miss a beat. Thought that's all we need but read on.
We need a win Saturday to get some confidence back. Ade is saying the team played well against Worthing. But there's playing well and getting the result.
Hopefully we can achieve that tomorrow.

So what did the headline mean? Was he out or out, out?

Sleightly Deceptive wrote: Fri Oct 04, 2024 5:15 pm

Lars Resort wrote: Fri Oct 04, 2024 3:37 pm Kent online headline reads Dartford manager out. Made me miss a beat. Thought that's all we need but read on.
We need a win Saturday to get some confidence back. Ade is saying the team played well against Worthing. But there's playing well and getting the result.
Hopefully we can achieve that tomorrow.

So what did the headline mean? Was he out or out, out?

Pretty sure he only popped out.

Once again it's poor grammar. You'll have to read it. PL will probably put it up later but it's a reference to our defeat at Worthing. It's gone from my phone.
But he's not out he's still in even if we're out.

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/s ... wn-313852/

"Dartford boss out but not down"

Dartford manager Ady Pennock proud of display in 3-1 FA Cup third qualifying round defeat at higher-division Worthing; Dulwich Hamlet in FA Trophy next up

Manager Ady Pennock was full of praise for Dartford’s FA Cup display - despite his team exiting the competition on Saturday.

The Darts went out at the third qualifying round stage at last term’s National League South play-off finalists Worthing, a second-half goal from forward Eddie Dsane proving in vain during their 3-1 loss.

But Pennock said: “That was one of the best performances I think we have put in. We were very unlucky.

“We have hit the woodwork four or five times, their keeper (Chris Haigh) has made some really good saves and we have missed some chances. Our energy levels were fantastic.

“The football that we played was very good. It’s all about the result in the FA Cup but, overall, I was so proud of them because they’re a good footballing side.

“We had a game-plan but their first goal was just an excellent strike. Sometimes in football, you just have to put your hand up and say ‘What a strike that was’ but, obviously, we were very disappointed with the second and third goals we conceded.

“Arguably, Jacob Marsden had to make some good saves, especially in the second half when we were 3-0 down and we gambled a little bit.

“But, when it went to 3-1, we hit the crossbar and hit the post and we were relentless. If we had scored another goal, it would have been an interesting finale.

"Overall, I’m very proud.”

Forward Danny Cashman gave the Rebels an early advantage and made it 2-0 from the penalty spot eight minutes into the second half after referee Charles Martland ruled he had been fouled by Marsden.

While Pennock had no complaints with the decision to award Worthing a spot-kick, he added: “The only complaint with that is we should have had a penalty in the first half when Eddie had his heels clipped in the box.

“The referee said it was an accident but he was clean through. That’s just the way it goes sometimes - but their penalty was a definite penalty.”

Dsane leads the way for the Darts with five goals, just ahead of four-goal fellow striker Callum Jones.

“That’s what you ask for,” said Pennock. “The biggest thing for me is they’re really good lads, as well. They work their socks off.

“Callum’s work-rate is phenomenal and I don’t want to say too much [about targets for the season for them] but they’re doing really well together, and forming a good partnership.

"It’s still early in the season, but they have the knack of scoring goals, which is a wonderful knack.”

Dartford return to action at Princes Park against divisional rivals Dulwich Hamlet in the FA Trophy third qualifying round this Saturday.

Pennock noted: “I think there’s going to be a really good crowd.

“We’re very well-supported, they’re very well-supported, so, hopefully, we can pack the stadium. We know it’s going to be difficult but it’s a cup game and we need to be on the front foot.”

While the Darts enjoyed a decent FA Cup run, the FA Trophy provides another useful opportunity to boost coffers.

A further £2,450 is at stake when they face Hakan Hayrettin’s team.

“That’s what it is about,” admitted Pennock. “It’s great for our supporters, as well, for us to have a good cup run.

“In the FA Cup, I think that’s the furthest we have gone for a long time. We got a few pennies out of that so the chairman [Steve Irving] and directors have been happy.

“It’s another good opportunity, isn’t it? There’s some good money involved.

"With where we are, it’s about the financial side as well, and it should be a good game.”

Dartford then visit Billericay in the league on Tuesday, with the squad put to the test as Pennock’s troops play seven matches in October.

“You need that luck,” he said. “Injuries and suspension will play a big part and the squad will be important.

“It doesn’t matter where you play these teams - whether it’s Bowers & Pitsea or Billericay - they’re all difficult games.

“It doesn’t matter when you play them, either.

“Whether that’s a Tuesday, Thursday or a Saturday, early in the season, Christmas time or at the end of the season, it’s always going to be difficult.

“We’ll just take it game-by-game but we’re looking forward to whatever game we have got.”

This is getting to the point where our season can turn good or not good and the expectation of this season is to be challenging so anything less just simply isn’t good enough ! This weekend could be a turning point if not when do we expect things to actually turn around.

Board over to you we have gone down 2 divisions over recent years where Bromley have gone up 3 so we expect and there can’t be anything other than the expectation we will achieve at this level

I like Ade but I'm beginning to think he talks a very good game even a defeat. I agreed with him over the Dover game, a lot of foot shooting incidents. Against Worthing I don't think anyone was expecting much, maybe hoping more for a poor Worthing performance.
What I'd like to see today is a performance on the line of the Chatham game and then maybe I could say we are looking okay.
I'd like to see a couple of players brought in in certain positions because at the moment we look very mediocre with very little on the bench to change a game.
Just my opinion of course.
Today I'd like to see a victory, but of course Hakan will be looking for a win against us. Not looking for the draw.
Luke Wannadio seems to be the only ex Dart in any form at this time.
If we do slip up today we could be at Billericay Tuesday and a defeat there could start to knock the confidence.
But I will go for a 2-0 win today for the lads.
COYD'S

I don't know if it is the budget but you get what you pay for.
Whilst I don't see us struggling I also don't see us challenging for promotion.
I am not going to single out individual players but to me we just look ordinary.
I never expected us to set the the world alight but so far the jury is out for me with this team and the manager

I'm pretty sure they changed the headline since I first clocked it. But maybe I could be wrong.
Anyway, up the Dart's. Let's go for a win today.

I’m looking forward to a spirited performance today. Personally, I couldn’t give a rat’s ass about the Trophy or the Velocity/Kent Cup other than ‘use’ these fixtures for tweaking here and there for a push in the right direction in the league. I too am still a bit fifty/fifty with this team and manager. Shame really, cos pre-season, we looked pretty decent and I was confident of a good season. (That is rare for me. I normally swing to the side of pessimistic caution on the proviso that anything ‘better’ is a bonus!)

HT 0-0

First couple of mins Dulwich started the better but we soon got on top and have had numerous half chances to take the lead.
Fingers crossed for the second half.

Their number 18 is lucky to still be on the pitch after getting a yellow early on and getting away with a lot more after.

0-1 Wanadio

About their only real attempt.

Attendance 591

Park Life wrote: Sat Oct 05, 2024 4:14 pm 0-1 Wanadio

About their only real attempt.

I still remember his great finish at Bath City a few years ago for us

Subs:-
Allen & Campbell for Whitefield & Olopade