Dartford 4-2 Ashford Town (Middlesex) - Disasterous March cost us a play-off place, admits Burman

Tuesday 21st April 2009

DARTFORD 4-2 ASHFORD TOWN (MIDDLESEX)

Ryman Premier League

Tuesday 21st April 2009

Stephen McCartney reports from Princes Park Stadium

DARTFORD signed off their home campaign in style by winning an entertaining game against mid-table side Ashford Town (Middlesex) tonight.

The Darts raced into a two-goal lead inside the opening quarter-of-an-hour, through Lee Noble and Jay May, before the Stanwell based visitors fought back to level through Byron Harrison’s spot-kick and a stunning volley from the impressive Ricky Wellard.

But two late goals from defenders Adam Flanagan (penalty) and Jamie Coyle, ensured the Kent side have scored four goals in each of their last three games at Princes Park.

The first half was end-to-end, and the Kent side almost broke the deadlock after just 59 seconds.

Right-winger Ryan Hayes released May with a fine pass with the outside of his left boot and the striker whipped in an excellent first time cross for Craig Carley, whose right-footed volley from inside the penalty area flew just over.

But Dartford were rewarded for their fine attacking play, opening the scoring inside the opening five minutes.

Another Hayes ball forward with the outside of his left-boot released May yet again and the striker held the ball up as he waited for support, which came from Hayes.

The winger chipped the ball towards Noble at the near post, and as Ashford Town appealed for offside, the midfielder swivelled before chipping a left-footed shot into the top far corner.

Carley, still waiting for his first goal in Dartford colours since his switch from Ryman One South side Metropolitan Police three months ago, turned and drove a shot straight at goalkeeper Craig Ross from the edge of the box.

But dominating Dartford romped into a deserved 2-0 lead, with only fifteen minutes on the clock.

After Noble was fouled by Gavin Smith, whilst cutting in from the left, Jamie Day delivered a low free-kick from just outside the box down the left-channel.

And Ashford Town’s defenders failed to stop May flick the ball into the bottom far corner with a deft touch at the near post.

But poor defending from Dartford’s right-back Seun Eferakorho gave the visitors’ a lifeline just two minutes later.

Warren Harris was played in by Smith and Eferakorho tripped the nippy winger just inside the penalty area, in a central position.

Striker Byron Harrison stepped up and his expertly taken right-footed spot-kick beat Andrew Young, who tried in vain to stop the ball finding the net, diving to his left.

Dartford released Carley down the right and after holding up play, decided to go all alone due to the lack of support, and his driven shot, from an acute angle, was spilt by Ross at the near post, and Ashford survived.

However, the lively Middlesex side should have called Young into action after Smith was released down the left, escaping Flanagan, who got away with a slight push.

Smith’s cut back found Harris, but he smashed a right-footed drive harmlessly past the near post.

A good Dartford move should have brought their third goal on the half-hour mark.

Noble started the move and May’s flick found Carley, who cut the ball back to Danny Dafter, who squared the ball to Eferakorho.

Trying to make amends from his earlier mistake, Eferakorko stroked the ball to Carley inside the penalty area and his chip found May at the far post but the striker leapt too early and could only guide his header wide of the near post from just two-yards.

But Ashford Town (Middlesex) fought back and were level after 34 minutes.

The impressive Wellard, lurking on the edge of the Dartford box, cracked a stunning right-footed dipping volley from 25-yards, which gave Young no chance as the ball flew dropped into the bottom left-hand corner.

Midfield playmaker Wellard, who has grounds man duties at Short Lane, can surely play at a much higher level than this on tonight’s impressive performance.

Wellard’s corner from the right was met by central defender Michael Peacock at the far post, but his effort was smartly kept out by a diving Dartford goalkeeper.

And Harrison should have done better when he poked a low centre from the right past the near post from only six-yards out.

We still had time for Ross to beat out Carley’s drive after the Dartford striker was released through the middle.

Dartford created early second half chances as Flanagan’s towering header bounced agonisingly against the crossbar after Jamie Day’s 50th minute corner.

Day immediately picked up the loose ball and cut the ball back to Hayes and his far post cross was headed over by May.

And at the other end, Young made a fine low save to push Anthony Joseph’s right-footed snap shot from 25-yards over his bar.

Noble went agonisingly close to giving Dartford the lead with an industrious run, from inside his own half to the edge of the Ashford penalty area, but his right-footed drive sailed agonisingly over.

Then came the lull in a pulsating game, but Dartford called Ross into action after 71 minutes, keeping out Hayes’ fierce low drive at his near post.

But when Peacock gave away a soft 85th minute penalty for a foul on Dartford substitute Bradley Woods-Garness, that cost Ashford a point.

Flanagan stepped up from his central defensive position and smashed a fierce right-footed spot kick high into the roof of the net.

The Darts made it four just three minutes later when Coyle met Day’s cross with a towering header, which looped into the far corner.

But give the Middlesex side credit for making this an entertaining penultimate game, and Wellard called Young into action late on, the goalkeeper diving low to tip the left-footed drive from 25-yards around the post.

The win ensures Dartford go into their last game of the season away to Boreham Wood on Saturday in seventh place in the Ryman Premier League table.

If Dartford win - and Margate win at runners-up Staines Town - Boreham Wood, whose chairman and manager was at Princes Park tonight, could suffer relegation.

“I’m very disappointed that we didn’t make the play-off’s, regardless of what happened at the start of the season,” Darts boss Tony Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“In March we was in a good position and a fairly strong position regarding points and play-off’s.

“We unfortunately had a poor March or three weeks in March where we didn’t pick up enough points, probably our performances didn’t warrant the points.

“Since the Tonbridge game, I think it was, if you take the Tonbridge game, Sutton and Wealdstone, you’ve got to say to only take two points out of those three games was a little bit of a disaster, especially when we were by far the best side in all three games.

“In the last three games we’ve hit 12 goals at home and if I could’ve had one of them against Wealdstone (which ended goal-less) and one of them against Sutton (a 1-0 defeat), it could’ve been a different story, but it wasn’t to be.

“But the effort the players have put in, in my opinion, has been fantastic.”

Burman, meanwhile, was pleased that his side signed off their home campaign by entertaining the fans again.

“Obviously it’s another four goals,” he said. “Disappointed we got another two against us, but in the first half I think it could have been six-all, but having said that the possession of the ball was excellent first half and we played some good football and could’ve scored more goals.

“The penalty’s given them a little bit of a lift, but fair play to Ashford, they came in, done well and passed the ball about. I suppose it’s playing with no fear and no pressure.

“It did go a little bit dead 15-20 minutes into the second half, but it was nice we made some substitutions and made a difference.”

Dartford received a standing ovation at the final whistle and loyal servant, versatile defender Tommy Osborne picked up his supporters’ player-of-the-year award.

Osborne, who has started 255 games for the club, and has gone through the dark homeless days, beat off competition from Young and target-man Rob Haworth to scoop the award.

Burman, meanwhile, was quick to praise Mr Dependable.

“Last summer I wasn’t promising Tommy any position or anything else,” recalled Burman.

“I wanted him to stay but he wasn’t guaranteed a first team place.

“He’s proved to be an excellent signing for us, all the time he’s been here he never moans about anything, he just gets on with a job and it’s credit to him he’s like that.

“I’m delighted for Dartford Football Club to have him. He’s been excellent and he’s a great player to rely on.”

Dartford: Andrew Young, Seun Eferakorho, Adam Gross, Adam Flanagan, Jamie Coyle, Danny Dafter (James White 63), Ryan Hayes (Steve Butterworth 82), Jamie Day, Jay May, Craig Carley (Bradley Woods-Garness 75), Lee Noble.

Subs: John Guest, James White, Deren Ibrahim.

Goals: Lee Noble 5, Jay May 15, Adam Flanagan 85 (pen), Jamie Coyle 88

Booked: Ryan Hayes 61

Ashford Town (Middlesex): Craig Ross, Vinnie O’Sullivan, Ricardo Joseph, Michael Peacock, Billy Jeffreys, Adam Logie (Scott Harris 63), Gavin Smith, Ricky Wellard, Anthony Joseph (Luke Pigden 77), Byron Harrison (Danny Byron 77), Warren Harris.

Subs: Paul Burgess, Jon Palmer.

Goals: Byron Harrison 17 (pen), Ricky Wellard 34

Attendance: 883

Referee: Mr Mick McCoy (Worthing, West Sussex)

Assistants: Mr Rob Baker (Maidstone) & Mr Saul Kay (Sittingbourne)