WALKING WITH THE DARTS

by Chris Palmer

Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things related to Dartford FC, courtesy of Dartford Living Magazine.

Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park has experienced a mixture of emotions recently, as both the National League South and London & South-East Regional Women’s Premier League campaigns are well underway.

The Dartford First Team currently hovers in the bottom half of the National League South table, after a difficult opening nine games so far. In the six games since I last wrote in these pages Luke

Coulson and Co have registered two victories (against Aveley [A] and Dover Athletic [H]), one draw (with Farnborough [H]), and three defeats (against Taunton Town [A], Slough Town [H], and St Albans City [A]). The sad news is that those two victories arrived during the August Bank Holiday weekend, meaning that we haven’t picked up a point in the league since.

Alan Dowson’s side has been ravaged with injury set-backs, as well as a couple of loan signings being recalled by their parent clubs. This turn of events forced the manager to bring in more reinforcements, with big defender Moussa Diarra arriving on loan from Oxford United and West

Ham lending us young midfielder Archie Woods.

Both arrivals have proved to be vital additions to the squad, but with the team still trying to gel (which the injuries haven’t helped), the team is struggling to find that edge in the final third of the pitch. And, whilst the recent defeat against Welling United in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Cup was hugely disappointing, patience and support is desperately needed by Alan Dowson, his staff, and his players.

Meanwhile, in Connor Dymond’s camp, the contrast couldn’t be more different because the Dartford FC Women are literally flying at the time of writing.

The new signings that I mentioned last month appear to have settled into the squad perfectly, and the results speak for themselves... Five wins from their five opening games!

Those victories were against Dulwich Hamlet (Home: 2-1), Fulham (Home: 2-1), Dorking Wanderers (Away: 6-1], Millwall (Away: 2-1), and Enfield Town (Home: 4-1). The results of which sees Lizzie Adams and Co sitting at the top of their league table, after a superb and inspiring start. Long may that form continue!

So, regardless of the circumstances and/or situation, please do remember to come along and show your support to both Dartford FC, Dartford FC Women, and their respective managers. There are obviously peaks and troughs in the world of football, yet the support of the fans remains equally as vital.

As always, thank you for your continued support and thanks for reading.