Ashford Town's immaculate playing surface is as smooth as a bowling green. I commented before the match our girls will relish playing on this ground, particularly after last week's exertions in their futile attempt to play the beautiful game on a wreck of a pitch.
It was hardly surprising when our ladies ran out 5-0 winners today with 90% of the play taking place in Ashford's half of the field. And the game could have been won by a far greater margin. Infact it was the same old Ashford this season. Well organised defensively they held the back line well enough but were desperately left wanting in the final third.
Jade Charlton barely had anything to do all afternoon. But a clean sheet is a clean sheet. Besides, for a goalkeeper, mental strength comes into play in games like this and on a bitterly cold afternoon Jade remained focused and alert throughout the entire game. A commendable and professional approach which is characteristic of the squad.
It took just 4 minutes to open the scoring with an intelligent through ball from Georgie Davis into the path of Amy Russ, who finished with aplomb.
The lead was almost doubled shortly after when Poppy Payne found Lizzie Adams, whose lob just wasn't quite high enough to evade the clutches of the keeper.
On 17 mins a good effort from Xayla-Rae Alberts went wide.
Then in the 22nd minute 1-0 became 2-0 when Amy returned the honours by setting up Georgie, whose initial shot came off the post, but she made no mistake with the follow up and fired home.
Next up saw a free kick from distance by Abbey Davies well saved by the keeper.
On 31 mins it was 3-0 when Emily Vaughan cleverly headed the ball into the penaltly area for Lizzie Adams, who finished clinically from inside the six yard box.
After the break our ladies continued where they left off.
51 minutes saw a bit of Russ trickery inside the box, in the art of close ball control, with the end product unfortunately going just wide.
A minute later though a free kick by Davies, from several yards outside the box, saw Russy get on the end of it to prod home for 4-0.
It wasn't long, with the match all but won, before it was time to introduce fresh legs with everyone present getting game time.
Among those was Shauni Griffiths who, on being played in by Russ, saw her powerful shot deflected off a defender for a corner in the 72nd minute.
In the 75th minute Beth Powell came on
In the 77th she got booked
It was straight from the Powell playbook on how to be an impact player.
For those who think I may have lost my marbles at the beginning of the season couldn't be further from the truth. I'm proud to sponsor Beth. And would only withdraw that sponsorship if she decapitated someone. Well, atleast I'd think about it anyway. Not that anyone would notice considering the administrative side of the club still hasn't updated the women's player sponsors from last season. I have sponsored her under my own name and happy to know the coaching staff ensure every penny goes directly to the team.
If however, being self-employed, I'd used a business name to promote an income stream, then it would be a different situation. From what I can gather this is one of several areas where DFC in general needs to up it's game and is no criticism of the playing staff of all teams at the club who basically work their socks off 24/7 to get things right on the field.
In the 82nd minute it was game set and match. A neat one two between Shauni and Brionne Fowle saw the latter wrap things up with a Brielliantly executed finish, from an acute angle for the fifth and final goal.
A special mention too for our recent signing Amina Hanif who made her debut in the 80th minute. She looked lively up front and created a couple of chances. She courageously won an aerial battle going forward towards goal but the pace on the ball unfortunately took it away from her. She also set up Xayla with a deft flick inside the box with the shot going just wide.
Player of the match for me goes to Xayla. It looked very much like Ashford's strategy at times was stop Xayla-Rae Alberts and you stop Dartford. But it didn't work. Their number 5, who was actually their best player, deliberately clipped Xayla's ankle early in the game. Letting her know she was there. By the end of the first half Xayla had certainly acknowledged her opponent's presence, with interest too. In the Xayla-Rae way!
She also gave her opposite numbers food for thought on their goal line from set pieces. They didn't like it. But was Xayla bothered? Err.........Nah!