Whites and Darts fans receive praise

SUPPORTERS of two of Kent’s biggest clubs in the Ryman League, Dover Athletic and Dartford, were praised after their games yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Dover Athletic won the top-of-the-table clash with Ashford Town 3-2 at Perrys Crabble to join the Middlesex side level on eighteen points.

Goals from Frannie Collin, Lee Browning and James Rogers ensured Andy Hessenthaler’s men won a fantastic game of football, which was watched by a crowd of 1,009 at Perrys Crabble.

However, Dover Athletic midfield star, Sammy Moore, required 33 stitches at a hospital in Canterbury after he was elbowed in the face during the game.

A facial surgeon put 30 stitches inside his mouth and another three outside - and the all-action midfielder is set to miss two weeks of action, including next Saturday’s FA Cup First Qualifying Round showdown at Tonbridge Angels.

But the former Football League star was quick to praise Dover’s supporters for their support.

“I’d like to thank the great supporters of this club for chanting my name and applauding when I was taken off today. I really appreciate it,” Moore told Justin Allen at www.doverathletic.com.

“I’ve had a bit of bad luck since coming here with a couple of knocks - but hopefully I’ll get more luck when I get back from this small setback.”

Moore insists yesterday’s win will set the club up to go on and seal the Ryman Premier League title.

He added: “It was great the lads did the job and got three points in the top-of-the-table clash. We have a lot of belief we can do great things this season.”

Despite Dartford’s supporters concerned about the formation that manager Tony Burman is using, playing just one man at front, the travelling fans that watched their 2-1 defeat at much-fancied side Staines Town, earned plenty of praise from the Wheatsheaf Lane club.

Dartford fans helped raised £770 for Staines Town’s appeal for a special care baby unit at St Peters Hospital, Chertsey.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all the Dartford fans who helped us raise £770 for our special care baby unit,” said Staines Town’s commercial manager Angie Payne.

“We had six little mascots on the pitch today, who owe their lives to this fantastic unit. My own twin grandsons, aged three included.

“We also had two of the nurses, who saved their lives, as our guests.

“Dartford fans were very generous and gave our kids a huge round of applause. I would like to wish Dartford all the best of luck for the rest of the season and I look forward to our next meeting at your ground,” she posted on the fans’ forum at www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk.

Tony Burman’s side play a must-win game at Princes Park on Tuesday night when the only side below them in the Ryman Premier League table - Heybridge Swifts - visit. The Essex side have yet won a game in their opening seven games.

Dover Athletic, meanwhile, warm up for their FA Cup showdown at Longmead Stadium next weekend, with a league trip to Hendon, who are currently fifth from bottom in the Ryman Premier League table.

Meanwhile, it was confirmed yesterday that the FA Cup First Qualifying Round showdown between Tonbridge Angels and Dover Athletic next weekend will be screened by ITV.com.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will also be covering that game.

The Darts, meanwhile, welcome Hastings United to Princes Park, looking for revenge after losing 2-0 to them in the league last month at the same venue.

Visit club websties:

www.doverathletic.com  & www.dovorian.co.uk

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk