Dartford v Canvey Island Sat 17 Aug 2024

[PeteSamson]

I think the score was 3-3 at abandonment, so I guess the game will be replayed. Best wishes to the keeper and hope injury is not serious.

[PeteSamson]

I wasn't at all surprised at the Tuesday scoreline, especially after Potters Bar 0-8 home defeat to Dover. Yet despite that, only 2 games later, we find ourselves ahead of Les Dovres. Also, the hard earned opening win over Cray Valley PM may yet turn out to be a very important result, as I fully expect them to be a difficult side to beat.

So, whilst the Potters Bar result was disappointing, overalll and just relying on comments on here and listening to the 2 commentaries to date, happy with progress so far given we have a new manager and a new team knitting together. Sam Oduado seems to have started the season well with 2 MoM awards too. So delighted with today's result after a slow first half, but once we scored, it seemed to give us a lift and hopefully a confidence boost to the squad. It shows how competitive this league is going to be when just after only 3 games, there is only one team Lewes who have taken max points to date since Hastings let go of a 2-0 lead v Bognor Regis Town to finish 2-2.

Well played Darts.

Also noticed Ben Greenhalgh scored a hat trick today for Margate too in their FA Cup game.

[Park Life]

Good to get back to winning ways and a deserved victory as Canvey didn't really cause us any major problems.

First half there was plenty of effort in very warm conditions but we didn't really create any clear cut chances. However we were solid defensively and never really gave them a sniff as i can't recall Matt having a single save to make. So the first 45 minutes passed without much excitement.

Canvey had a bit of possession at the start of the second half but again we were well organised defensively and they never really troubled us.
It was just a case of if we could step it up a gear and we managed to do this mid way through the second half. We pressed and closed them down a bit more forcing them into errors and this was enough to change the course of the game and get the win.

Personally prefer to see Olly either up front/wide rather than in the hole as i feel he's more effective in those positions.

Defensively we're looking well organised and if this continues will be a good platform to build on, i've been particularly impressed with Luther's performances so far.

Going forward i feel we need to create more chances in open play as i can't recall our forwards getting a single opportunity between them today, so i would like to see a few experienced players added to the squad in certain areas.

Six points is a decent return from three games so well done to Ady and the players.

[Tony H]

Frustrating first half but all-round improvement from Tuesday night. Ball retention and passing much better and we’re creating scoring chances. Two good goals to secure the points. Much tougher proposition next Saturday though!

Once again, for me, Sam was our stand-out performer and gets my MoM vote.

There’s much more to come from this squad.

[DA Mikey]

Obviously happy with the three points, but take plenty away from Canvey - they were absolutely rotten. Few bits of decent play from the Darts towards the end, the first half though was dismal and looked like park football. The better performances came from Williams and Odaudu, I must have missed Dsane’s moments (quite possible) as he seemed to be having trouble judging the path of the ball a number of times.
Shame about the turnout, wonder how much of an affect Tuesday’s loss had.

[Taunton Dart]

Attendances are always low at this time of year as there as so many other attractions and responsibilities for people. School holidays, people away on holiday or spending time with their families - cricket still in full swing. I don't see a lower crowd than normal in August as anything more than the time of the year.

[Sleightly Deceptive]

Blimey. Work to do or what. Yeah, I know we’ve got ‘stars’ yet to return from injury and that, I’m confident, will help enormously. I just can’t stop thinking we’re still a bit thin on the ground with appropriate experience. Thank goodness we got going after the substitutions with two well taken goals. Sam MOTM for me. Again. Of the seven who voted for D’Sane, I’d respectfully ask, ‘what did you see that made you come to that judgement?’ Like DA above, I must’ve taken my eye off the game for his ‘moments.’ I saw him give the ball away or easily lose it and fail to challenge for headers. Thank goodness it was a dreadful Canvey team and we deserved the win. But we’ve got two ‘difficult’ ones coming up. Right now, I’ll happily take a draw from both if I’m honest.

What is it with the standard of officiating at this level? Three games in (two of which we’ve won so no sour grapes whatsoever) and all three have been woeful. With that clown yesterday being so poor it would be hard to grade him as woeful. Is this what we are to expect for the entire season? Jeeesh.

Oh, and the crowd. Officially announced as 819 I think. Well that’s just plain ridiculous. If that included ALL season ticket holders - I just don’t get why. Surely turnstile clicks are a true representation? For what its worth, during a very dull game, I brightened up my day by counting them. I made it 581. That was midway through second half and included everyone I could see inside the stadium. It passed a few interesting minutes.

[Park Life]

𝗦𝗮𝗺 𝗢𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗱𝘂 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 - 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗺𝗲

Adrian Pennock interview will release during the week, following some technical issues.

[Lars Resort]

What happened to the ratings Mikey? I was looking forward to that.

[Lars Resort]

Half expecting a bit of karaoke Sam after your excruciating time with Dowse.

[rick]

What happened to the ratings Mikey? I was looking forward to that.

Yes, me too. It should become a regular feature after matches. Match reports are boring!!

[rambo]

Very pleased with three points. Thd first half was a bit of a grind but in all honesty canvey never looked like getting z goal. We also did not look like we would score. Thd one good watch in the first half was Mert. He was a real force at thd back, and not scared of passing thd ball. He was also a threat when he went forward and quickly got back to defend. He is a real find
I was a bit surprised when he was subbed early in thd second half but thd change in formation paid off so no complaints from me. Well done Ady.
The change in formation allowed Olly to be more of a menace and we were well worth the two goal win.
The squad had a log of promise but the players are very young and they will need care and time to develop. We do need Samir and Dwayne back asap as they will be able to help the young lads.
I don’t know if i am going deaf but I did not hear the music when the players came out where I was sat in either of the two home games. Seriously was it played. If so we need a new sound system or just turn it up
There will be ups and downs in the first quarter of the season with a squad as young as this but I am looking forward to this season with zest after the dross we have been served in the last two seasons.

[Bagdhad Billy]

Any highlights available yet?

[Park Life]

[Spike]

My expectations are that it will take a few months for an entirely new team to gel and I imagine we will see a few tweaks and changes along the way. That said, I'm still hopeful that we will be up there contesting promotion, so for now, the important thing is that we keep ourselves in the mix as I fully expect us to get better and better as the season progresses. So with that in mind, 6 points from 9 is a solid start. The performances haven't been 5 star, but there are lots of positives. I was impressed with our fitness levels yesterday as despite the blistering heat, our lads finished very strong as Canvey just wilted in the second half. Obviously, focussing on things like fitness may well have a detrimental effect on the team's karaoke prowess that was the major priority last season, but hopefully that bitter disappointment (sarcasm) will be compensated for with a half decent football team. So far, so good.

[Bagdhad Billy]

Thanks PL

[KentC]

While we should get better as the season progresses when AP and the players get more time together on the training pitch , we also need to pick results up now, a good start sets us in motion and we move on.
Every game is of massive importance if we want to challenge for the league.
So Saturday is a good job all round.
On to carshalton.

[The Duke]

I wasnt at the match [ on hols] but my pals who were said Ade switched to 4 3 3 at half time , he did say at the recent meeting he had Plan B and was obviously confident enough to use it !!!!