Gills fans will give Hess a warm reception at Dover, says Taylor

Friday 20th July 2007

Kent Football legend Peter Taylor made an emotional return to Dartford for the first time in seventeen years tonight - and was delighted with the response that he received from a full-house at Princes Park, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Crystal Palace manager saw his Championship side comfortably win 3-0 at the Ryman League Division One North club.

The first goal arrived in the 16^th minute when Carl Fletcher thumped a right-footed drive from 25-yards into the bottom right-hand corner.

Making ten changes at the break, it took nine second half minutes for the south Londoners to double their lead, when Stuart Green’s shot from 25-yards trickled into the corner.

However, a flattering third arrived in the 89^th minute when Paul Ilfil nodded Green’s far-post cross into the net from just three-yards out.

But Taylor admitted afterwards that the Darts gave his side a good work-out in front of 4,100 fans.

“Yes, we played nearly everybody for 45 minutes, we had one centre half that played for 90, but it was good,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“It was good for both teams, I think. I think good fitness for Dartford and ourselves.”

Taylor, who left Dartford in 1990 when the club were playing at their old ground at Watling Street, admitted tonight was his first visit to Princess Park - or to watch Dartford - since his departure.

“I’m delighted to be back here,” he said. “It’s the first time I’ve come back to Dartford and I’m delighted that they’ve got a new stadium and it’s a really, really good place.

“It’s funny, when I was talking to the press at Palace earlier in the week, I actually said then, it first of all made me realise that I haven’t been back to Dartford since, of course I left in 1990.

“I had four really happy years there, it was really enjoyable and we had some good football and it’s nice to be back.

“I’ve got to say, it’s been a very good atmosphere, and it’s nice to see so people who were still here, and that are still kicking on strong.

“Watling Street was a fantastic atmosphere as well. That was a good football stadium but of course the club unfortunately lost that.

“But now this (Princes Park) is lovely and the only problem Tony (Burman) is going to have is that other teams will want to come here and play, because it’s such a nice place.”

Taylor is pleased with the progress being made by winger Dave Martin, who left Dartford to join the Selhurst Park outfit for £25,000 last January.

“He’s progressing ok,” revealed Taylor. “When he first got to the club, he maybe thought it would be a little bit easy, but he’s certainly realised that’s not the case now.

“I was really pleased with him tonight. He was desperate to play tonight. We actually geed him up on Thursday morning that he wasn’t going to play but he was a little bit upset about that - but he didn’t realise it was a wind-up.

“But he played ever so well tonight. He only played 45 (second half) minutes of course, but Dartford supporters will know how good he is and how quick and how exciting he is.

“And I thought he looked like that tonight so he’s got to keep doing that now.”

Another of Taylor’s former clubs, Dover Athletic, open their pre-season campaign with a visit from Coca-Cola League One side Gillingham tomorrow.

A crowd of over 3,000 is expected at Crabble as new Whites boss, Andy Hessenthaler manages the Ryman League Division One South club for the very first time.

And Taylor wishes Hessenthaler all the best in his new role.

He said: “I’m really pleased. He’s had such a great career in the game, as a player and a manager.

“And I think Dover have made an excellent signing there.

“He knows players and I’m sure he’ll get a lot of players down there, and I’m sure he’ll have a good season.”

Taylor feels the travelling Gills fans’ will worship their legendary player, when they descend on Crabble tomorrow for the mouth-watering clash.

“Gillingham will respect Andy,” he said. “They know the service he gave the club and they’ll want to be there to give him a bit of support as well.

“There will be a good atmosphere there and like I say, I was at both those clubs as well, so I know the clubs, I know the support.

“It will be a good pitch down there as well, so it should be a decent game.”

Elsewhere tonight, a goal from Hamid Barr on his return to Tonbridge Angels, helped secure an impressive 1-1 draw at Blue Square North outfit Blyth Spartans.

The Angels, preparing for their Ryman Premier League campaign, travel to North Shields tomorrow, as part of their two-match tour of the north-east.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the game between Dover Athletic and Gillingham tomorrow (3pm).

Mike Green, from BBC Radio Kent - 96.7fm was posing the questions to Taylor.