Dartford V HX

[yam yam]

Taken from TK Forum

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

DARTFORD 0

AFC Hornchurch 1

Isthmian League, Premier Division

Att : 1224

Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road

Admission : £10.00 (£5.00 concessions). Programme : £2.00. Badge : £3.00. Hot drinks : £1.00. Pasty : £2.20. Hot dog : £2.00

 

So there we were, enjoying our usual Wetherspoon's breakfast in "The Paper Moon" and congratulating ourselves on a plan well made. It had been a straightforward drive up from Devon. The sun was shining. No sign of the rain that was supposed to be coming in later from the west. But then our relaxed demeanour suddenly changed as we overheard someone at the next table talking about a dreaded pitch inspection at Princes Park! It appeared there had been heavy overnight rain and the match referee was concerned about the condition of the pitch. A phone call to the club established that the game was not off. However, it wasn't definitely on either as they were working on the pitch and the official would be having a further look in about an hour's time.

 

Pike in panic mode is a fairly distressing, even pitiful sight, but Dave was very laid back about the situation despite my downing halves in record time in "The Wat Tyler", "Flying Boat" (newly opened second 'spoon's pub) and "Malt Shovel" before hurrying back to the car and establishing our back-up was in place if things went badly up the road.

 

They were taking admission when we arrived - a good sign - and shortly afterwards the referee and his two assistants emerged and started their second inspection. The problems were mostly restricted to the end nearer the turnstiles where it was extremely muddy with surface water clutching the ball when it was kicked between the officials. The fact that the rest of the playing area was reasonably OK and the weather was so good must have helped to bring about a favourable outcome and so I put away my tranquiliser tablets and we adjourned to the social club where real ale (Wells & Young's version of the two Courage beers) was available.

 

Much has been written about Dartford's new eco-friendly stadium (opened in November 2006) and I must say I was quite impressed by its design and the evident pride the local supporters are taking in it. It must be great to have the club back in the town after the problems experienced following the end of the Watling Street years.

 

The team had started the season like an express train and were sitting on top of the division having only lost in cup competitions. Maybe there had been some warning signs during the previous game when Tooting & Mitcham established a two goal lead here before being overhauled. Today AFC Hornchurch bustled about in a very positive and organised way while the Darts seemed slightly bemused and unable to seriously impose their game on the confident visitors. Chances were created but there was no edge and as the first half drew to a close, I started to wonder if there might be a surprise in store. It came almost immediately before the break, when a cross cum shot from the right wing found the corner of the Dartford net with the keeper presumably unsighted as he made no great effort to keep it out.

 

Much of the second half was dominated by a partially revitalised Dartford side, but even so loads of chances went begging, a possibly justifiable penalty shout was turned down and Hornchurch held fast to claim the win and turn over this hitherto impregnable fortress.

 

I was told the drainage problems have been causing concern for a while and attempts are continuing to sort things out. What the club would really like to do is replace the grass with an artificial 3G surface. Not sure what the prospects are of achieving this ambition though.

 

I sat with a group of very friendly older supporters - well, about my age! - and thoroughly enjoyed chatting to them. Despite the earlier wobbles, it had been another excellent day and it only remained for us to do battle with the oncoming deluge as we tested out my new tires on the way home!