DARTFORD 3-1 DORKING WANDERERS League Cup Semi-final

[Ajaxman DFC]

A great result against a side that were no pushovers by any stretch of the imagination. And it's now two cup finals to look forward to.
Our ladies couldn't have got off to a better start either. Georgie Davis, attacking down the left, picked out Lizzie Adam's intelligent run into the penalty area. Lizzie finished the move with an excellent goal giving Darts a 5th minute lead.
Two minutes later Lizzie was at it again but her shot was blocked by the Dorking defence.
On 20 minutes Beth Powell saw her 25 yarder turned around the post by former Arsenal U21 keeper Tea Oldroyd.
23 mins and Dorking had their first serious shot on target when Sandy Martins saw her effort well held by Jade Charlton.
But 5 minutes later a shot from the left across the face of goal found it's way into the far corner, with Martins claiming the equaliser.
Darts almost regained the lead when my nominated player of the match Lizzie Adams let fly with a shot from the outside of her boot only to be denied by the far post. It was vintage Adams out there today. From battling in the middle of the park to taking up dangerous positions in the final third, causing plenty of problems for the opposition.
41 mins a shot from Georgie saw the ball land in the grateful arms of Oldroyd after taking a slight deflection on the way.
The keeper was quickly of her line two minutes later doing just enough to close down Georgie's attempt to lob her, sending the ball high over the bar.
Within 5 minutes after the break Amy Russ found Xayla-Rae Alberts who was unlucky to see her effort graze the post.
But then in the 62nd minute it was super Xayla's superb shot from the left, just inside the box, which beat Oldroyd into the far corner for 2-1.
Xayla also deservedly won the supporters player of the match award, not only for her goal but her tenacity and hard work in midfield. Which is what she's been consistently doing week in week out. A ball winner who's fearless displays that, although not always pretty, makes Xayla a player we would seriously miss if she wasn't there.
She's all action and wouldn't think twice about running through a brick wall. I'm sure if Xayla applied to join the SAS they'd take her tomorrow!
Brionne Fowle came off the bench in the 61st minute and was to play a crucial role in the game. On 79 minutes Abbey Davies was preparing to take a corner. Brionne went into the penalty area. And when Brionne's in the box that's where the short corners end for me. Abbey sent it straight in and there was Brionne heading in at the far post and a place in the league cup final was all but sealed.
After three minutes of added time the referee blew the whistle and 3-1 it was. Celebrations followed as it does in most clubs.
It was a great atmosphere in the Champions Bar afterwards.
Dorking, who were well supported by the way, are a good bunch. Their players and supporters always come into the bar for a decent session after the game irrespective of the scoreline. Manchester United were playing Fulham in the FA Cup live on the tv screens. There was a fair amount of interest in that too. The game went to extra time and penalties. Sadly no one saw it. 6.20 pm last orders were called. We were asked if we wanted another drink because the bar was closing and we had to be out at 6.30pm. In otherwords they were more than happy to serve you another pint but you only had 10 minutes to drink it. Yeah, right. I don't think so.The tv screens were immediately shut down too. Excuse me, hello! Is there anybody in there? This is supposed to be a football club you know.
All this because they wanted to clear the bar for a money spinning quiz night. In my experience pubs often have quiz nights on a Monday because it's the beginning of the week and it's quite and the only way of getting some income. And people don't drink much. They're far too busy stroking their beards or imaginary ones, trying to look intelligent, while attempting to work out what the post code for Manchester is. It actually happened in a pub after lockdown. And the rest of the customers weren't ask to leave to make way for Bamber Gascoigne and co either. After all it's mean't to be a bit of extra income only on top of the existing custom. And I'm thinking to myself , these people have been denied face to face contact and haven't seen each other in months. And here they are, sitting in total silence trying to solve the answer to the bloody Manchester post code. Who cares? Unless you've got to go there for some reason.
Basically you won't find a single Non-League football club in this country who would close their bar to the players, coaching staff, their families and supporters on a match day. Especially after winning a major semi final.
It's at times like this when it feels like being in a council run institution rather than a community football club.
At one time Wealdstone FC's, operating with attendances of 300, main source of income was from their very well run bar.
Look where they are now.
DFC recently declared it was looking for more fresh ideas and innovation to bring in further income. It can't even maximise what it already has under it's nose. You don't kick out football people on a match day, before the evening's even started, for a poxy blimming quiz night. When this happens it's very hard to have any sympathy for a club when it posts a £73,000 deficit.
I'm sorry but I'm not buying into the current euphoria surrounding the club's Isthmian League form either.
What has been achieved in the last decade, compared to our Kent rivals where the likes of Bromley were once considered to be the poor relations? The reality is the club is where it's at for a reason. One step away from where it began after rising from the ashes and reaching non-league's top table. Bromley are where they are now for a reason. After once being referred to as the worst Isthmian League club in history.
It was a great gesture from DFC to give the women's team the main pitch this season. Considering the £28,000 the ladies won for the club in FA Cup prize money, over the preceding two seasons, it was the least they could do.
And yet that very likely wouldn't have happened if London City Lionesses hadn't decided to up sticks and move to, where was it now?
Oh yes, Hayes Lane. Bromley.

[MINTY]

Another good report from the Ajaxman, almost felt like i was there. The girls are doing the club proud again.
Doesn't sound good having fans and players from both sides being asked to leave the bar, due to an upcoming quiz night. Who on earth would organise a quiz night on a match day ? If you have to have both on the same day, make provisions, don't kick out the fans and players after a Semi final game. Clowns !

[TonyDart]

I was just about to write something positive..... but then, thought better of it. It would probably be construed to be a complaint by the rhyming banker, so have decided not to write ANYTHING.

[Lol]

Excellent match day report from Ajaxman. Covered everything, and I mean EVERYTHING! So pleased for Xayla-Rae scoring, her work rate in every match is phenomenal and she thoroughly deserved the goal and player of the match. Lizzie's goal must be a goal of the season contender. Superb execution. And so unlucky to hit the post not long after with another sublime effort. Another fantastic whole team performance and another season ending with two finals. They will be tough games, but if any team can bring those pots home, Dartford FC Women surely can.

[TonyDart]

A great write-up James, a very enjoyable read.

Here are a couple of photos from Steve Cullum's take on the day:

Amy Russ gets a powerful shot away

Emily Woodhouse is denied a shot this time


Thanks to Steve Cullum for his photos

[TonyDart]

Another of Steve's shots is this great one of Chana.

I bet you couldn't take another like this !

Captions on a postcard please

[Ajaxman DFC]

Another of Steve's shots is this great one of Chana.

I bet you couldn't take another like this !


2024-2025 v Dorking Lg cup S-fin Chana by SC.jpg



Captions on a postcard please

Not a headlock but a dreadlock and a piggyback that went horribly wrong.

[TonyDart]

Good one James - Headlock to Dreadlock - Great stuff.

I'm pretty sure this is one of Taur's shots. Bri's goal, direct from Abbey's corner.

[Ajaxman DFC]

Good one James - Headlock to Dreadlock - Great stuff.

I'm pretty sure this is one of Taur's shots. Bri's goal, direct from Abbey's corner.



2024-2025 v Dorking Lg cup s-fin Bri scores from Abbey's corner TE.jpg

Looks like Bri was about to perform a celebratory pole dance!

[DA Mikey]

Another of Steve's shots is this great one of Chana.

I bet you couldn't take another like this !


2024-2025 v Dorking Lg cup S-fin Chana by SC.jpg



Captions on a postcard please

All going off at the front during Rod Stewart’s ‘Blondes Have More Fun’