It's always nice to win your first game of the season. Especially when it's away from home. And we finished the day 3 points better off than this time last year.
After going ahead in our opener at Dorking last season we lost 2-1. At the time I thought it was just a blip but couldn't shake off that nagging feeling that it could be pivotal to the outcome of the season. With the campaign barely under way I was already praying Fulham would drop points in their games against Dorking.
I wasn't at that game either so wild horses weren't going to stop me from making the 600 mile round trip to Newhaven in anticipation of seeing our girls get off to a good start.
They didn't disappoint either. Infact it was a flyer with an emphatic victory well deserved in sweltering conditions.
Macca and Connor had the challenging task of replacing some very good players including Dartford legends. Emily Vaughan, Emily Read, Beth Powell, Amy Russ, Brionne Fowle, Jo Woodgates, Emily Woodhouse and Poppy Payne have all moved on.
Various reasons include taking a break from the game, winding down or being picked up by National League clubs, which is testament to the quality of the coaching staff at DWFC. My heart goes out to Emily Read who was in recovery from an ACL injury and was hoping to make a comeback this season which has unfortunately turned into a setback. Her availability would have been akin to a major signing in itself.
I've got massive faith in Connor and Macca and they haven't disappointed either. From what I saw on Sunday they've recruited very well. The new players blending in nicely with the remaining old guard. They are clearly buying in to what the team is about and I'm looking forward to getting to know them as the season progresses.
What hasn't changed is voting for player of the match. It's never easy as it's rare to see a player at DWFC who doesn't leave everything out on the pitch by giving their all for 90 minutes.
So it's a pleasure to give my first player of the match award this season to one of our new recruits. It goes to Milo Lewis-Powell, recently signed from Ebbsfleet United. She caused no end of problems for Newhaven down the right wing with her tireless runnning both on and off the ball. Always finding spaces making herself available to receive the ball from her teammates. She worked very well with Ellie Dolby behind her, who was also a very close contender for player of the match herself. Milo got us up and running with the first goal of the season, firing in after a through ball from the excellent Paris Smith in the 9th minute. Paris was unlucky not to have already notched a brace herself before then. First she lobbed the keeper who only just got back in time to pluck it from the air. Then a wicked cross whipped in by Abbey Davies saw Paris fail by a whisker to get enough on her header to direct it goalwards.
Milo nearly got a second on 14 mins when she saw her shot blocked but Paris smashed in the follow up for 2-0.
26 mins it was 3-0. A tantalising cross from the right delivered by Dolby found Shauni Griffiths who headed the ball goalwards and was pounced on by the brilliant Leen Winner Ekwo (formerly Bromley) inside the box. Ekwo's lightning reactions saw her volley flash beyond the keeper, who had no chance of stopping it.
Then with halftime approaching a thunderous low shot from the edge of the area from Gabriella Howell was well saved by the keeper which became a double save from the follow up from Ekwo, who made no mistake with the second loose ball to send Darts into the break with a very healthy 4-0 lead.
6 mins into the second half a rare breakaway by the hosts saw Dolby make a well executed timely tackle in the penalty area.
The Dockers did pull one back however in the 63rd when a cross saw Chloe Winchester score from a header at the far post.
The four goal lead was soon restored two minutes later when, from a corner, Mercedes Bromfield's (ex Bromley) belter of a shot ricoched off the underside of the bar and in off the keeper for 5-1.
In the 67th minute keeper Jade Charlton did well tipping over a well struck free kick from just outside the box which was oncourse to dip under the bar.
0n 79 mins a great run down the left by Xayla Rae-Alberts saw her cross into the box finished with aplomb by Leila Awan (formerly London Seaward) at the far post for goal number 6. A significant goal for me representing 1 goal for every 100 miles travelled.
However, the goal of the game was yet to come in the form of Dartford legend Lizzie Adams hitting a wonderful strike from the edge of the box, swerving into the top righthand corner. The keeper got both hands to it but the sheer pace and power of the strike prevented her from diverting the ball over the bar.
Great for Lizzie but worrying for me. Fortunately my coach driver didn't get lost on the way home.
As the match drew to a close Newhaven did get one more which came out of blue, it could have come from the cruise liner which moored up not too far away from the pitch during the game. But it was from an optimistic lob from Danielle Parfitt which didn't detract from an otherwise great day at the office.
NEWHAVEN 2-7 DARTFORD Sun 24th Aug
Re: NEWHAVEN 2-7 DARTFORD Sun 24th Aug
Great report James and a wonderful day all round. Great team togetherness and nice facilities with welcoming home officials. The food laid on for the players went down well - the way it should be done.
COYD
COYD