9thfeb04

Dartford forced to play youngsters

When you consider that Dartford manager Tommy Sampson had to field a number of players under the age of eighteen, it make their 2-0 victory over Newport IOW at Stonebridge Road on Saturday even more impressive, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Dartford manager was forced to name his youngest side yet for this Dr Martens League Eastern Division encounter as a result of a number of more experienced players sidelined.

Jimmy Simpson (knee), Paul Foley (ankle), Danny Tingley (knee), Steve Robinson (calf) were all out through injury, striker Paul Sykes was suspended, serving a one-match ban for having accumulated five yellow cards whilst both Tommy Martin and Danny Nicholls were unavailable.

In addition to that, the club have also lost the services of defender and club captain Steve Marriner who has moved to Coventry due to work commitments and eighteen-year-old central defender, John Butler has returned to Ryman League Division One South outfit Bromley following his loan spell in the Dr Martens League with the Darts.

Earlier last week, however, Sampson signed goalkeeper Billy McMahon on loan from Ryman Premier Division side Thurrock to replace the injured Simpson.

Source: Daniel Harris - www.bbc.co.uk/kent/sport

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