Recent Match Reports

Another battling performance from the team. With Jack away on holiday, Zachary having had an operation and Alex unavailable it meant that today we were having to play in terrible conditions with only 6 players against opponents who had the luxury of a substitute! In fact to show what a bad day it was even our coach Seb was on crutches!

From the first whistle no one would have realised that we were a player short as it was us who made by far the better start. In midfield and going forward Shania, Amy and Deniz were passing the ball well and winning most of the 50/50 tackles. Down the right hand side Reece was having a great game constantly going past YMCA's defenders and setting up some decent chances. When Dartford had the ball Zak did well breaking up play and any shots they had Connor comfortably dealt with. It was against the run of play when Dartford took the lead when they scored a break away goal. Not detered we continued to be the better side, and the players can count themselves somewhat unlucky to go in to half time behind.  

Unfortunately the second half could not have started any worse as within a minute of the restart YMCA had scored again to take a 2 goal lead. However, it didn’t take long to get ourselves back in to the game when some good play between Shania and Reece resulted in a pass through to Deniz who took a touch and then did well to finish low in to the corner. Having put in so much effort and given their all it seemed that the heavy pitch was beginning to take its toll as understanably the players started to tire a little. I’m sure that this was the reason behind Darford scoring another 2 goals! 

In terrible conditions it’s a big well done to both teams, but especially to our boys and girls as taking everything in to account it was a good performance and the fact that  Dartford were made to work hard for their victory is a credit to all the players. I'd say that the final scoreline of 4 - 1 somewhat flatters them as on chances created it was a lot closer. 

Managers player of the match - Reece, Always involved, set up chances, and possibly his best performance so far this season, keep it up!

Parents player of the match - Amy, Yet another tireless performance, full of energy and some great tackles and passing.              

Written By David Garrard

The team went in to todays game knowing that they were in for probably their toughest league fixture of the season, playing against Istead Utd Blue who sit top of the table and are, sorry were!! the only unbeaten team in our league. For excitement the game was a cracker and all the players can be proud of the way they came back from being 3 - 1 down at half time to win 4 - 3!

From the start both teams went on the offensive and some slick passing and good attacking play meant chances were created at both ends. Connor did well to keep the scores level when he pulled off a superb save tipping a fierce shot over the bar. Soon after the Golds took a deserved lead when Zachary's low corner was turned in from close range by Deniz. Istead came back strongly and hit 3 quick goals to go in to the break leading 3 - 1 and may be thinking that they had done enough.

In the second half the Golds came out determined to get back in to the match and they did just that when Zachary played a good ball down the line to Alex who went round a defender and then from the tightest of angles flicked the ball in to ther corner of the goal. That strike appeared to rattle Istead and from the kick off we won the ball back,  drove in to their box and again it was Alex who scored to tie the game 3 - 3. It seemed that now there was only going to be one winner and the fightback was completed when a cross in to the box was smashed in to the goal by - an Istead defender!!! The final 5 minutes saw still more chances being created but at the end it was the Golds who came away with one of their best ever victories.  

Today what was clear for all to see was the fantastic spirit between the players, and the attitude and the commitment from everyone was top drawer! Individually Zak, Amy and Shania made some fantastic strong challenges, Connor again showed what a confident keeper he has become, Deniz and Reece worked hard all game and Zachary and Alex really seem to be building a good understanding up front.    

Player of the match - Amy, Covered every inch of the pitch, and once again the strong

tackling was superb.

Parents player of the match - Alex, Scorer of 2 important goals.      

Written By David Garrard