DARTFORD 2-0 SUTTON UNITED

[Ajaxman DFC]

Our first home game of the season was always going to be a sterner test than our opener away to Newhaven. The goaless halftime scoreline would have been a result Sutton would have been more than happy with come the final whistle. Our ladies dominated the game right from the off and I was surprised it was still goaless after the first ten minutes.
The highlight during the early onslaught being one of Milo Lewis-Powell's deadly forays down the right wing with her final ball finding Leen Winner Ekwo who went close with a spectacular overhead kick, in the ninth minute. But despite seeing a lot more of the ball than the visitors, particularly in the first half, a resilient Sutton defence limited us to shots from range with, arguably their player of the match, keeper Megan Taylor confidently plucking everything from the air.
She saved well from Milo's effort in the 27th minute.
Our girls came close to the opener with several attempts on goal raining in the area on 38 mins, ending with a decent shot from Xayla-Rae Alberts but Megan, determined to keep a clean sheet going into the break, was equal to it.
The second half started where the first left off until the game changing smash and grab with two goals in four minutes.
Ellie Dolby's looping strike from the right, reminiscent of her goal away to Benfica last season, caught everyone out including me in the 53rd minute. With Sutton still trying to recover they were undone again, this time by Xayla's rocket from the edge of the area leaving Megan all at sea in the 57th.
The game was nearly put to bed three minutes later. Abbey Davies sent a corner out wide to Gabby Howell who whipped in a cross to the far post which Amina Hanif headed just wide.
Sutton nearly pulled a goal back just before normal time but a reflex save from Jade Charlton, blocking the shot with her left peg, ensured a clean sheet.
In the bar after the game we had a chat with the Sutton manager Lucy Clark. I remarked what a brilliant tackle Gabby made in the first half. Lucy agreed. Although I was in the company of a formidable trio at the time. Some of you may know them. Gabriella, Joe and Vanessa!
I shall look forward to Sutton's post match interview.
Player of the match Gabby Howell. She's played in various positions during her time at the club but she really looked at home in the holding midfield role. She made some vital tackles yesterday. (Still can't wait for the Clarky interview). Her communication skills don't go unnoticed either. The more leaders on the field the better.

[Ajaxman DFC]

Good old Lucy Clark. She's a card isn't she? I've just seen the post match interview on YouTube.
In the bar following the match I said to Lucy it was a great tackle by Gabby in the first half. Gabby and her parents were with me at the time. The Sutton United manager agreed albeit through gritted teeth.
Her interview, however, presented an entirely different story. Stonewall penalty all the way.
I didn't expect anything less from our Lucy to be honest.
True to form as usual!

[DA Mikey]

Are you suggesting all was not what it seemed?

[Ajaxman DFC]

Are you suggesting all was not what it seemed?

Last season's encounter in this fixture was a classic.
Their players were battered, bruised, mugged and tangoed.
You name it, our girls did it.
I swear blind I must have been at a different ground that day.