Dartford 0-1 Enfield Town

[Robson]

Plus...

 

Chatham Town 2-0 Boreham Wood

Stamford 5-0 Ilford

Enfield 3-0 Barton Rovers

Avely 3-0 Corby Town

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Cussons, Penn, Negus, Allen, Hannigan, Stephens, Smith, Hall, Forbes, Hammatt, Morgan, Paul, Baldwin, Campbell, Velandia, Nyman

 

Gate 434

 

Well with Gillingham off and Gravesend off there was a good chance of ground hoppers so the gate wasn’t too unimpressive.

 

Today was all about revenge for the way Dartford nicked the points at our place. And so it was YES! But it was no walk in the park with Dartford looking certainly the better team in the first half.

 

Dartford opened with a shot on target from 35 yards away on the wing for Cussons to save. At the other end Johnny Morgan shot wide. Forbes Boniek had a shot saved. Matty Negus made a great cross for Forbes Boniek to shoot just over. Matty Negus crossed beautifully for Rudi to Volley against the inside of the post and out. Damn! Mark Cussons forced to save at the other end. Corner taken and shot went dipping over Cussons bar. At the other end Johnny Morgan shot very wide. Finally Dartford were through on goal only Cussons to beat, the striker went for the tap home for it to only bounce off the post. How did he miss that? Mark Cussons got down again saving a ground shot well. Lee Smith plays a lovely one two with Bryan Hammatt for Lee Smith to shot over. At the other end ref gave dubious hand ball to Dartford on the edge of the box. Shot off the bottom of the bar and out. Phew the cling-film is still working! Dartford head wide. Mark Cussons saved again. Matty Negus run from deep, did a one two with Boniek Forbes for Matty to shoot just wide. Half time Dartford 2 – 1 on woodwork misses!

 

In the second half Matty Negus clears well in his six yard box, then immediately in action shooting wide at the other end. A Dartford flying header goes dangerously past the post. David Allen was inspired mood tackling back crucially and cleanly. Mark Cussons saved again. Johnny Morgan got punched in the ribs in front of ref nothing given. Minute’s later ref books town players for minor offences. Matty Negus picked up a knock. Matty Negus off and Steve Baldwin on. Steve Velandia on for Johnny Morgan.

 

Dartford fans started singing “You’re not going anywhere” Thanks lads just the inspiration the boys needed. Steve Velandia makes a lovely cross to Bryan who is then held down by a loving embrace from the defender from behind (nice chap). Ref blowed Free-Kick. Rudi lined one up. Round the wall beautifully with Hudson Down to catch it but he fumbled and as one fan put it Bryan Hammatt is deadly from close range. 0 – 1. Thank you very much. The Dartford fans were subdued after that in their singing. Bryan was booked for something, so was Russell Penn and Lee Smith. Most of the booking of Town players was laughable. David Allen tackled back again. Boniek Forbes off for Paul Campbell. Lee Smith had a shot on the volley. Bryan Hammatt in a one on one with keeper but ran out of space.

 

Town fans were jubilant; Ref was heavily abused by the managers of Dartford. Not sure why I thought he favoured them a lot.

[The Invisible Man]

Well done everyone, good result. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[MbrunoB]

As our team went into the changing room celebrating one of their older supporters said to me "what would they be like if they played well?"

My comment of "dont know, we didnt need to" went well over his head but I enjoyed it. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[Dartsfc]

Softie said:

Gate 434

 

 

Today was all about revenge for the way Dartford nicked the points at our place. And so it was YES! But it was no walk in the park with Dartford looking certainly the better team in the first half.

 

 

Dartford fans started singing “You’re not going anywhere” Thanks lads just the inspiration the boys needed. Thank you very much.

 

Town fans were jubilant; Ref was heavily abused by the managers of Dartford. Not sure why I thought he favoured them a lot. [/quote\]

 

Agree with most of what you say but the Darts wasted some great chances today. Dissappointed slightly with the crowd today, for some reason there were some stay away home regulars. Good atmosphere and no real complaints from me, good luck for rest of the season.

 

Dartford didn't deserve the loss but as you already said it was deja vue!

[OldTowner]

I thought it was just one of those days when one goal would do it.

Dartford had plenty of chances, but never hit the target ( other than the woodwork ) and Town got a bit of luck with the keeper spilling the free kick.

Town did not play well, but they did get the goal and they did get the 3 points.

A bit like the first game between these two at Town in August.

Not a good game, not a good performance, but a good win.

Just keep the points coming. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/boxing.gif" alt="" />

[Gazza]

We do seem to be stumbling to the finish line, but as OT said keep the points coming!

 

Rudi & the boys run their hearts out today but Special praise to Lee Smith who never stopped running for 90 mins, he covered every blade of grass on the pitch today (back on the bench next week then!) well done Smudger! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/top.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/excited.gif" alt="" />

[Mr Happy]

A good tough battling win. On balance, a draw was the fair result but justice now done. Agree re Smith, he ran his socks off.

[lovely stuff]

General observations of the game:

 

Defense looked solid again.So did Stevens just in front of them.

New Keeper looks reliable (is this the end of Chopper?).

 

Dissapointed to see Woodward was not playing (i presume he was injured/suspended).

Matty played well considering the stick he was getting of the Dartford fans.

 

Before the game i was convinced that Dartford would be the game where Smithy's Town career would end (ie..He wouldn't make the bench).What a pleasant surprise to see him starting.

 

Penns inclusion at right-back was a strange one.Stephens or campbell would have seemed a more logical choice,with Penn playing in midfield.

 

Forbes dissapointed slightly after his good first game.He looks the part,but let the defender get in front of him a bit too often yesterday, and on a couple of occassions seemed to freeze on the ball,in tight situations.Maybe he just needs a run of games to sharpen up?

 

Jonny Morgan was my man of the match.Pity the ref took a dislike to him ,and we had to sub him for the last 15 minutes.

 

Overall,a typical never-say-die attitude, yesterday.The sort of committment that has seen us pick up points so often this season.We are still not firing on all cylinders,or playing that well,but the fact that we keep picking up points bodes well for when the line-up, formation, and playing style does come together and gel.

 

PS..Did Ritchie just not make the bench,or was he injured?

[Jim Cunneen]

Genuine question - why would you think Smithy's career would end just if he didn't make the bench.

 

No mention of Bryan?

 

Not trying ro be playful here - just asking as you have made the observations.

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />

[Gazza]

Quote:

lovely stuff said:
General observations of the game:

...Penns inclusion at right-back was a strange one.Stephens or campbell would have seemed a more logical choice,with Penn playing in midfield...

Totally agree LS, then when Campbell did come on I was convinced he would go to right back & Penn move forward into midfield, as I thought the Dartford 11 was giving him a torid time, however Campbell went on & didnt seem to know where he was playing.

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Woody has an injury

 

Jim made comment in the Mercury that he felt the new loan keeper was playing well. Someone suggested Chopper had had Glandular Fever but Chopper didn't confirm that yesterday.

 

A few weeks ago I thought Matty Negus was an old has been and low and behold the last few games he has gone back to his beckhamesk best again. I think Matty being dropped really woke him up and for me he has been playing some of his best football since.

 

Jim has made players realise they have no God given right to be selected and if we are to win our remaining games we need players hungry for a win. Being on form matters.

 

The playoffs beckon but that second place could still be ours if we can continue to grind out the results. Let's not let Stamford or Corby sneak into it on the final run in. Let's make that second place ours.

[lovely stuff]

Quote:

Jim Cunneen said:
Genuine question - why would you think Smithy's career would end just if he didn't make the bench.

No mention of Bryan?

Not trying ro be playful here - just asking as you have made the observations.

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/icon_smokin.gif" alt="" />

Recently Smithy has been on the bench a lot.More recently he has been an unused sub.I just thought that if he was left out completely at Darford (which was a possibilty,becasuse we have about 20 first team players fit,and vying for positions),I believe it would have left him with little option other than to seek a transfer.I think it was a great bit on man management by jim to play him.



PS..I keep getting criticised when i mention Bryan,and now people pull-me-up when i don't mention him.<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Bryan had his ususal game,but he gave 100% as always, and he reacted well to the rebound off the keeper.

[Hawkeye Pierce]

I think Jim recognised the quality of the no 11 Dave Martin and put Russell one of his best men on him. David Allen mopping up behind Russell was a nice move and maybe flattered Dave but I thought they worked together well to keep him out.

[lovely stuff]

Martin was a big talent,but his shooting and final delivery was sorely lacking. Very 'Lee Endersby'.

[lovely stuff]

Well done Cyclops for the vid of the goal.

 

 

Spotter's Badge:

 

If you look closely behind the goal, Softie seems to be reading his prog during the innitial free-kick, but looks up just in time to see the rebound go in.

[andyetfc]

Well that's one way of putting it that Russell was beaten for pace on too many occasions. Jim should have done what Gazza said which was to put Campbell at right back and let a fresh pair of legs tackle Martin.

 

I thought Russell was out of position at right back.

[Hawkeye Pierce]

Quote:

lovely stuff said:
Well done Cyclops for the vid of the goal.


Spotter's Badge:

If you closely behind the goal, Softie seems to be reading his prog during the innitial free-kick, but looks up just in time to see the rebound go in.

Yes you can see all the old ****s behind the goal. I wasn't reading anything. I had my eyes on the ball as Hudson fumbled for it, I didn't follow its track into the roof of the net as fast as it was whacked but that is just my poor eyesight I guess.

What was Gazza doing though crouching down, I'm sur he is taller than that?

[Gazza]

Hey Softie dont tell everyone who I am or I will end up with people who dont know me coming up & having a word!!

 

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" />

 

Steve Baldwin & myself were having our own celebration shout!

[lovely stuff]

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/whistling.gif" alt="" />