DARTFORD 1 MILLWALL LIONESSES 0

[TonyDart]

DARTS WOMEN TAME MILLWALL LIONESSES AFTER WONDER STRIKE SEALS ALL THREE POINTS!

London and South East Regional Women’s Premier League, played on Sunday, 22nd February 2026.


Darts Women were back on home soil after last Sunday’s success in the Kent Women’s Cup. They welcomed Millwall Lionesses to Princes Park, looking to kick on in the league and stay in the title race.

The early stages of the first period were cagey as both teams struggled early on to impose their game plan on the opposition.

The home side did create the first half chance on goal in the 13th minute, with Darts captain Xayla-Rae Alberts sending in a high looping volley towards goal and over the keeper, but the shot was cleared away from danger by the Millwall defence.

The Darts thought they had scored the opening goal of the game midway through the first half, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The side went close again just before half-time as a good interchange between Darts forwards Paris Smith and Shauni Griffiths created a good chance for the home side. The shot from Griffiths found the side netting and it was level at the break.

The Darts began the second half searching for the opening goal of the game and went close on the hour mark. In the 61st minute, a corner from Abbey Davies found Georgie Davis in the six yard box. The Darts defender rose highest in the box, but headed over and the game remained goalless.

The Darts continued to create chances and the opening goal of the contest came midway through the half. In the 67th minute, a fine strike from Darts substitute Lottie Cunningham flew past Millwall keeper Jessica Deans and into the roof of the net to put the Darts ahead.

The home side searched for the second goal and went close 10 minutes before the end. Lottie Cunningham with another great effort from the edge of the box, forcing a fine stop from Millwall keeper Jessica Deans.

FT Dartford FC Women 1-0 Millwall Lionesses

A hard-fought victory for the Darts at Princes Park, but a wonder strike from Lottie Cunningham enough to claim all three points. A big thank you to all the supporters for their fantastic support.

Team: Jade Charlton, Georgie Davis, Cristina Caseriu, Abbey Davies, Shauni Griffiths, Paris Smith, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Mya Lewis-Powell, Gabby Howell, Ellie Dolby, Mercedes Bromfield.

Subs (all played): Lottie Cunningham, Izzy Franklin, Lizzie Adams, Mollie Smith, Elsa Ejupi.

Player of the Match: Abbey Davies

Match report by Connor Brennan. Connor also provides the Dartford FC Women match day Twitter-feed updates, with all substitutions, goals, action etc, plus the public announcements at Princes Park and the match-day scoreboard. A fantastic match-day service.

Photos: Joe Kwok - He's there in all weathers and produces wonderful photos for the team and supporters

Thanks also to Gareth Morgan for uploading the match info and reports onto the Dartford FC's official website.

COYD

[Ring of fire]

Did Ajaxman's coach run out of derv??

[Ajaxman DFC]

Did Ajaxman's coach run out of derv??

Unfortunately, in keeping one eye on the weather, with rain causing havoc with grass pitches in the South East this year, and bearing in mind Darts were at home the day before and the club has lost the best groundsman in the area, I didn't take the decision to travel until Friday morning. Then, too my horror, I found the coach was already full. National Express is another outfit missing a trick here. I'm sure they could easily fill two coaches during the peak periods.
As for our pitch I noted Ade Pennock's comment about it in the Non-League Paper following the Cray Wanderers game when he diplomatically described it as difficult.
What's particularly annoying is our ladies game looked like it was definitely going ahead by first thing Sunday morning. The earliest train to London leaves around 9am and arrives in Euston at 12:58.
No one kicks off at 1pm in tier 5 apart from us. Burman once said many years ago, following a nail biting game during an interview on radio Kent, "there are two ways of doing things. The Dartford way or the easy way and we did the Dartford way." Some things never change, both on and off the pitch.
Sunday afternoons all the other clubs kick off at 3 pm. One or two as late 3:30 like Dorking. Saltdean are the only other exception kicking off at 2pm.
During periods of inclement weather I could book a day return by train as late as Saturday. The coach has to be booked by midweek at the latest and is not refundable.
Take the "Dartford way" out of the equation and I'd be able to arrive well before the match begins if I have to change transport mode, given the possibly of a match postponement a couple of days before.
Next up Aylesford. But not before another weekend off for our girls. This league is truly ridiculous. At this rate we've been playing one league game per month. We hardly ever seem to have back to back league games. I don't believe it does our team any favours either. League fixtures in the South East Regional are like buses. Don't see one for ages then they all come along together.

[Ajaxman DFC]

I would like to thank Connor Brennan for the frequent updates on the Darts twitter X feed. That man is my eyes and ears when I'm unable to attend games.
I heard Millwall were celebrating like they had won, going down by just one goal to nil.
However, considering they recently kept Saltdean out in a goalless draw I'm quite happy to take that result too.
My only concern is we're creating but not converting. But, again, the sporadic nature of games doesn't help our cause which is not our fault. One league game here, one league game there, sandwiched in between a load of local dignitary Mickey Mouse cups if we're lucky. It's not good enough.
Let's hope we can finally achieve the great escape. It would make my year to see our ladies with those league winners medals around their necks. Especially club stalwarts Lizzie Adams, Jade Charlton and Georgie Davis who have been great role models at the club for many years.