12thnov04

Darts youngsters impress Sampson

DARTFORD manager Tommy Sampson is expecting Southern League Division One East leaders Fisher Athletic to ask more questions of his team after the Darts knocked Welling United out of the John Ullmann Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Second half goals from Jim Carter and a penalty from half-time substitute Tostao Kwashi sealed the Darts passage into the last eight.

Danny Heale played the first 45 minutes in a bid to get more fitness under his belt and after a reserve team outing on Wednesday, he could feature against big-spending Fisher.

Sampson said of his young players: "I think the little kid in midfield Charlie Hawkes did ever so well.  He is only 18 and a lovely little player.

"Defender Richard Avery is a very good player.  I keep forgetting he is 18-years of age."

With Eddie McClements touch and go against Fisher, Danny Heale is available and Craig Dennis, who was in Belgium on Tuesday, is back in the squad after featuring in the reserve team's 2-0 win at Ashford Town.

Sampson added: "Tuesday was excellent.  I thought we were very disciplined.  We've got some really good players at the club.

"I think Fisher will be better than Welling," he predicted.

"No disrespect to Welling whatsoever, but I don't think they are the strongest Conference South side."

Darts were knocked out of the FA Trophy last Saturday by Conference South side Redbridge, but played much better than the 5-1 defeat suggests.

When asked whether he thought the Conference South is a good league Sampson said: "I think it's the Ryman Premier last year.  I think Welling would struggle in the Conference as they are struggling in the Conference South at the moment.

"Redbridge were better than Welling, but if we defended better than we did, we might have stayed in the game longer"

However the Darts boss would have rather lost to neighbours Welling and pick up a crucial three points at Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

"I would rather got beaten 4-0 on Tuesday and get three points on Saturday.  If we work hard and play well Saturday and defend like we did at Welling, that will be the key."

Fisher go into the game on the back of a 6-0 victory over league rivals Erith & Belvedere in the London Senior Cup on Monday and are more than capable of repeating this if the Darts aren't at their best.

Dartford v Fisher Athletic
Southern League Division One East
Saturday 13th November 2004
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Stonebridge Road, Northfleet