V Dartford H 18th January

[Irishadrian]

1 hour ago, Shredding Green said:

If driving this weekend, they would do better going north on the M25, then M40 and A412 to avoid the closure of the M4.
Their last home league gate was 1,116 v Oxford City on 11th. January which shows that they are still very well supported.
 

Their average home gate all season is currently 1118   When we played them at theirs  their average gate at that time was + 200  They are no longer a mid table team rather an improving team now in the playoff group  which imo will increase their travelling support

[GlenSTFC]

Huh? Their current average is 1118? But when we played them their average was 200 more?

[Irishadrian]

53 minutes ago, GlenSTFC said:

 

Glen when we played them the attendance was 1085  the attendance in the home game immediately prior and immediately after our game with them were both 200ish down 

[GlenSTFC]

Right ok the way you worded didn’t make much sense! 

[Rebellier]

3 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

Sure they average more than us but it’s still a good 1+1/2 hour drive around the notorious M25 and I doubt they take notch more than 100 for these distances. Dorking was like a local derby so I’d expect them to take what they did. In a way I hope they don’t bring more than 150 as they’ll outsing us as we do when we’re away.

To be fair the 20-odd from Eastbourne managed to outsing us last time out!!

[Shredding Green]

7 hours ago, GlenSTFC said:

Huh? Their current average is 1118? But when we played them their average was 200 more?

I think I am correct in stating that their home league gate of 1,085 against SLOUGH TOWN on 28/9 has only been bettered by 2,148 against Maidstone United* on 16/11, 1,239 against Tonbridge Angels on 28/12, 1,534 against Welling United on 1/1 and 1,116 against Oxford City on 11/1.  

* Only 98 days to go to that massive match at Arbour Park on 25th. April. It's such a massive match that the crowd could be 2,148 or even more!!! 

[Shredding Green]

10 hours ago, Irishadrian said:

Just watched Steve Kings video interview pre match  Lot of praise for the Rebels and our managers but  says he believes our pitch will really suit the style of play he has been developing recently  also says there is a lot of interest in this game sure of at least 200 travelling fans and Hopes for 300

You can watch the video of his pre-match interview now :-

https://www.dartfordfc.com/pre-match-interview-steve-king-2/

 

[Reading Rebel]

7 hours ago, Shredding Green said:

I think I am correct in stating that their home league gate of 1,085 against SLOUGH TOWN on 28/9 has only been bettered by 2,148 against Maidstone United* on 16/11, 1,239 against Tonbridge Angels on 28/12, 1,534 against Welling United on 1/1 and 1,116 against Oxford City on 11/1.  

* Only 98 days to go to that massive match at Arbour Park on 25th. April. It's such a massive match that the crowd could be 2,148 or even more!!! 

How many of the mighty Maidstone supporters will turn up if there is nothing riding on the result?

The big question is will the mighty Maidstone make the play-offs?

Edited January 18, 2020 by Reading Rebel

[Curtis]

I don’t think the 2,000+ for the Dartford Maidstone match was out of the ordinary... two clubs that have recently been a division higher and fairly local derby when they are only 20 miles apart.

But I don’t think a lot of Maidstone fans travel further afield so unless one of us need something to make the play-offs we’re not going to see an attendance anything like 2,000 for that last match of the season.... and I think we will both have secured play-off places by then.

If we do meet them at home in the play-offs though, which I think is a possibility, we could see a very big crowd for that match.

[Reading Rebel]

To a man I thought that was a superb performance.

For me our first half performance was up there as one of our best of the season.

Our effort and work rate was second to none totally nullifying the speed and pace of a more than dangerous Dartford midfield/attack.    

Dartford came more into it in the second half, not sure if our work rate dropped or Dartford started pushing further up field to close us down.

Nevertheless still a very good second half performance and in the end a totally deserved 3 points.

So many good performances it's nearly impossible to pick a MOTM but for sheer effort/work rate and ground covered it's difficult to look beyond another top draw performance from Matt Lench.

 

Edited January 18, 2020 by Reading Rebel

[Irishadrian]

Excellent result  against a much improved Dartford side  There is now a 10 point gap between ourselves and the first team not in the playoff group !

[Reading Rebel]

Yes, 10 points ahead of Chelmsford, Hemel and the mighty Maidstone who lost to lowly St Albans today.

And Chippenham slip into the bottom two. Surely Chippenham are too good to go down?

Edited January 18, 2020 by Reading Rebel

[Reading Rebel]

Have to give a big up to our behind the goal supporters who were in fine form today giving it some real noise which I'm sure our players appreciated.

[3spirit]

37 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

To a man I thought that was a superb performance.

For me our first half performance was up there as one of our best of the season.

Our effort and work rate was second to none totally nullifying the speed and pace of a more than dangerous Dartford midfield/attack.    

Dartford came more into it in the second half, not sure if our work rate dropped or Dartford started pushing further up field to close us down.

Nevertheless still a very good second half performance and in the end a totally deserved 3 points.

So many good performances it's nearly impossible to pick a MOTM but for sheer effort/work rate and ground covered it's difficult to look beyond another top draw performance from Matt Lench.

 

Totally agree with you here, RR.

The best team won today without doubt. I didn't have a MOTM as I thought all the players put in a good shift, 7 players for me stood out, though, Matt Lench was one of them. First half, bar the opening ten minutes, Slough looked a force going forward and were really up for the challenge, and on the balance of play deservedly took the lead. Second half was more of an even affair but our defence held strong and Dartford didn't trouble us a great deal. It did start to look like Slough was settling for the one goal, as we didn't do that much to add to the tally but it seemed the right thing to do today, as Slough seemed controlled in how they were closing out Dartford and it wasn't really a game to cut loose. All in all a good home win.    

One funny moment that happened first half that made me chuckle,worth a mention, and I hope Bakes and Max Worsfold laugh about it and don't mind, was when in the first half Max strode over to take one of our first corner kicks, and Bakes shouts 'Remember what we've done in training, Max! ' and subsequently Max blasts the ball over from one side of the pitch,misses all the players because it's hit way too strong and ends up nearer the other side line.  Made me roar with laughter,as I'm sure that wasn't what Bakes had in his mind ! It was a classic gaffe.?        

[Reading Rebel]

3 minutes ago, 3spirit said:

Totally agree with you here, RR.

The best team won today without doubt. I didn't have a MOTM as I thought all the players put in a good shift, 7 players for me stood out, though, Matt Lench was one of them. First half, bar the opening ten minutes, Slough looked a force going forward and were really up for the challenge, and on the balance of play deservedly took the lead. Second half was more of an even affair but our defence held strong and Dartford didn't trouble us a great deal. It did start to look like Slough was settling for the one goal, as we didn't do that much to add to the tally but it seemed the right thing to do today, as Slough seemed controlled in how they were closing out Dartford and it wasn't really a game to cut loose. All in all a good home win.    

One funny moment that happened first half that made me chuckle,worth a mention, and I hope Bakes and Max Worsfold laugh about it and don't mind, was when in the first half Max strode over to take one of our first corner kicks, and Bakes shouts 'Remember what we've done in training, Max! ' and subsequently Max blasts the ball over from one side of the pitch,misses all the players because it's hit way too strong and ends up nearer the other side line.  Made me roar with laughter,as I'm sure that wasn't what Bakes had in his mind ! It was a classic gaffe.?        

It seems that Matt Lench is being given a free role across the middle and it's paying dividends.

Although he can do a job in most positions for me he is too good a player to tie him down to one position i.e. on the left hand side of midfield.

With his work rate and ability I think he needs to be on the ball as much as possible to have the maximum effect on a game. 

 

[3spirit]

21 minutes ago, Reading Rebel said:

It seems that Matt Lench is being given a free role across the middle and it's paying dividends.

Although he can do a job in most positions for me he is too good a player to tie him down to one position i.e. on the left hand side of midfield.

With his work rate and ability I think he needs to be on the ball as much as possible to have the maximum effect on a game. 

 

I like him in a central midfield position best or playing high up centrally behind two strikers. To me that's where he is the most effective but as we know,he will do a good job where ever he plays. To me, he is one of Bakes and Unders best ever signings eg talent spotted wise.  

[3spirit]

One thing that hasn't got mentioned on this thread,is about the ref. Wasn't he finicky and over zealous giving out cards. I didn't see what happened regarding the sending off but the amount of yellow cards issued throughout the game was ridiculous, and while the game was competive and fiesty, it was hardly a dirty game. I'm surprised more players never got red carded given how many yellow cards were dished out. 

[sdelaney]

Was player sent off for pushing the linesman i heard is that correct. Must be said superb game from Guy 1st game for us after along period away from the team and you would not know it.            Also Lenchy and Ryan Lee Toggs back to his best after his injury. Great three points and support for the team.

COYREBELS

 

[Reading Rebel]

1 hour ago, 3spirit said:

One thing that hasn't got mentioned on this thread,is about the ref. Wasn't he finicky and over zealous giving out cards. I didn't see what happened regarding the sending off but the amount of yellow cards issued throughout the game was ridiculous, and while the game was competive and fiesty, it was hardly a dirty game. I'm surprised more players never got red carded given how many yellow cards were dished out. 

Apparently pushed the lino which is a straight red no question.

[Rebel Wokingham]

I was pretty close, he pushed the lino in the stomach as he was annoyed with his decision. You can’t do that and the red card was the correct decision.

I agree it was a great team performance today and Matt Lench was superb but for me Ryan Bird was MOTM. He had a tough start to the season but after dropping down a level as a centre forward, he’s done a great job at centre half. He looks calm, reads the game well, dominates in the air and has no ego. Says a lot about him as a person and great management as always from Bakes and Unders.