Dartford's Homecoming: Dartford 4-2 Horsham YMCA. Darts return home in style

DARTFORD 4-2 HORSHAM YMCA
Saturday 11^th November 2006
Ryman League Division One South
Stephen McCartney reports from Princes Park

Dartford made a spectacular return to the town following their 14-year exile, with fireworks on and off the pitch.

A capacity crowd of 4,097 welcomed the Darts home and all fans left the impressive Princes Park Stadium with smiles on their faces.

Striker Brendon Cass will go down in folklore as he was the first player to score at their all-covered, non-smoking, stunning new £6.5m home.

The former Tonbridge Angels and Chatham Town striker was presented with an award from a Ryman League official before the game, after scoring seven goals during the month of October.

And he took just 10 minutes and 27 seconds to lift the roof, scoring the first ever goal at Princes Park.

Both teams, with mascots, walked out onto the lush playing surface, in front of an expectant crowd, with white fireworks and smoke rising towards the grey Dartford skies.

They were both presented to council officials before the man that fulfilled his dream, Cllr Jeremy Kite, the leader of Dartford Borough Council, kicked the ball into Dartford’s half before Eltham referee Mr Ian Crouch jokingly brandished him a straight red card.

Crouch and his two assistants played this special occasion very well, booking only two players, Dartford pair Anthony Hogg and flying winger, Dave Martin.

The whole stadium stood in a minutes silence to honour the men and women who lost their lives in war.

Then an emotional roar embraced the stadium with a few tears being shed as fans realised their side had finally returned home.

Horsham YMCA Scott Kirkland then got the game underway, and the Sussex side, with former Dartford manager Tommy Sampson, barking instructions from the away dug-out underneath the packed press area, came to spoil the party.

But as in the script it was Dartford that celebrated the first ever goal at Princes Park.

Winger Ryan Hayes sent over a left-footed cross from the right hand side towards the far post and Cass was on hand to head down and into the net from six-yards to spark wild celebrations inside eleven minutes.

Horsham YMCA were not here to sit down and die and set-piece taker Andy Ottley sent a right-footed free kick just over Kevin Hudson’s crossbar from 25-yards.

Dartford defender Richard Avery could have netted a first-day hat-trick.

Hayes’ first corner of the game was flicked on by Anthony Henry and Avery’s volley screamed just past the right upright.

Hayes’ left-footed cross was met by a diving header from the blonde haired defender but visiting goalkeeper Dean Ruddy produced an excellent clawing save.

Avery then skied a shot over the bar after Martin’s initial shot was blocked, following Hayes’ left-footed cross.

But Horsham YMCA had the audacity to draw level on the half-hour mark.

Adam Ottley delivered their first corner of the game and this was met by his brother Matt, who powered home a header into the left corner.

And they almost stole the lead six minutes later but Dartford had defender Henry to thank for clearing Steve Davis rolling shot off the line, after the shaven headed striker beat Hudson with a low shot.

But Cass rifled home his 15^th goal of the season to give Dartford the lead after 37 minutes.

Henry challenged the Horsham YMCA goalkeeper as they both went for Ryan Briggs’ free-kick and Cass was on hand to slam the ball past the defender on the line.

Darts midfielder Eddie McClements was relishing his normal role in front of a capacity crowd, and he came close to scoring but his left-footed drive from 25-yards flashed past the left upright.

Half-time brought a band onto the pitch and a couple of teenage freestylers, who dazzled the crowd with their skills.

But McClements dazzled the crowd with a dream goal just ten minutes into the second half to give the Darts a two-goal advantage.

The raven haired former Gravesend & Northfleet midfielder, unleashed a left-footed screamer from 35-yards, which curled into the top far corner to send the crowd wild.

Hudson made two fine saves before Horsham YMCA pulled another goal back, from another corner.

The experienced goalkeeper spread himself to block Ellis Hooper’s shot and then he made a low save from Andy Ottley’s 20-yard drive.

But he was beaten in the 63^rd minute when his defence left Davies unmarked at the far post, heading home Andy Ottley’s corner from three yards.

Dartford born midfielder, substitute Nick Barnes, netted a goal with his first touch of the game on his home debut.

Barnes, a recent signing from local rivals Maidstone United, made his debut in the midweek 3-0 defeat at Welling United in the first round of the Kent Senior Cup.

But he signalled his return to the club in style with 16 minutes remaining.

Cutting in from the right, he unleashed a right-footed 25-yard drive, which took a deflection and looped over goalkeeper Dean Ruddy and into the roof of the net

After the game, and with smiles on their faces, the triumphant Dartford team enjoyed a lap of honour as the Dartford public appreciated their efforts on this special day.

And fans that had stayed behind enjoyed another firework display from behind the seated stand.

Dartford return to Princes Park on Tuesday night when Boreham Wood visit in the Westview Cup.

Welcome home Darts!

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