18thjuly04

Dartford fill their problem left-wing back position

NEW Dartford signing Kwabena Amaning is a useful acquisition according to Tommy Sampson, manager of the Southern League Division One East club, writes Stephen McCartney.

Sampson, was pleased with the left-wing back’s performance, despite the Darts’ losing 3-2 at Go Travel Kent League outfit Ramsgate on Saturday, but Sampson is not all concerned with results in the early part of their pre-season preparation.

Sampson said: “Kwabena played very well and played 55 minutes and scored our opening goal, which was a fortunate rebound.

“He looked very accomplished and has signed for the club to fill the left-wing back position.

“This position was a bit of a problem for us last season after Dave Montieth retired in November and I never found a naturally left-footed lad who was comfortable doing it.”

Amaning, 25, started out at Woking playing reserve team football before stints at Ryman League clubs Banstead Athletic and Molesey before he was snapped up by Bromley, making 54 appearances, finding the net twice, for the Hayes Lane outfit.

Last season he turned out for Kent League side Greenwich Borough and will be a useful addition to a very young squad at Dartford.

Sampson admitted: “Kwabena never had a run before and he will at Dartford.”

Sampson fielded a squad of twenty players for their first outing of the season on Saturday and was very pleased with four teenage defenders, Luke Cuthbert, Brad Potter, Richard Avery and Donal O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan, however, is going to Lincoln City on Monday week for a week’s trial.

Sampson told the centre-half: “If Lincoln City doesn’t work out, I would like him to sign for Dartford.”

Dartford were 2-1 up as the game headed towards the final exchanges, but lack of experience allowed Ramsgate to come back into the game to win 3-2.

Sampson said: “We had a young side in the last twenty minutes.  However, we have to look at players and no-one disgraced themselves.  I need to look at lads to see if they are capable of playing at first team level.

“I need to have another look at one or two players and a couple need to work on their fitness.” admitted the manager.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Simpson was the only player at Southwood Stadium to play  the entire 90 minutes but Neil Cannon will sit out this week’s matches nursing a hamstring injury.

Sampson, however, was very pleased with Jim Carter’s performance.

He added: “Jim is very strong and powerful.  He played the first 30 minutes and did quite well.  However, in the last thirty he was playing with young players.  He needs to play with the first team.  I was pleased with what he did.”

Dartford look forward to playing two friendlies away to Kent League opposition on Tuesday evening, and Sampson has given the club’s supporters an insight on team selection for the games at Lordswood and Herne Bay.

He admitted there will be more first team players taking to the field at Herne Bay – although the side will be managed by Martin Farnie and Paul Sawyer.

However, Sampson will run the rule of the other players at Lordswood, which should see Carter and Tostao Kwashi, who scored the second at Ramsgate, take to the pitch at North Dane Way.

Sampson added: “There will be 30% of the first team at Lordswood and a stronger side at Herne Bay.”

Sampson revealed he has nine players in his mind already for the Southern League Division One East opener, at his former club Boreham Wood on Saturday 14^th August.

However, he is leaving the door open for other players to impress him and try and push their way into the squad for the opening day clash at Meadow Park.

Sampson, who was at Boreham Wood around three years ago, admitted it’s “ironic” his opening day game pairs him with one of his former clubs.

Looking back on his short stint he added: “I wasn’t at Boreham Wood that long and I don’t think I had time to create an impression.

“I had a good record – we won seven or eight games out of twelve, which included a 2-0 away win at Aldershot Town, managed by George Borg.”

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