6thoct03

Youngsters thrown in at deep end at Dartford
An injury crisis at Dr Martens League Eastern Division side Dartford, manager Tommy Sampson has been forced to bring in the club's youngsters, writes Stephen McCartney.

Eighteen year old centre half, Chris Tedder made his Dartford debut at Tonbridge Angels last Saturday. 

Lynden Rowland's 28th minute strike was enough to win the game for the Angels in front of the highest crowd of the season at Longmead Stadium, 628.

Sampson said: Tonbridge Angels are a very good side.  They have an extremely talented team with a squad of seventeen very good players.  We probably deserved a draw on the day and we were very unfortunate to lose the game.  We fielded a very young side and did well."

Sampson has received some good news ahead of Saturday's home game against Corby Town at Stonebridge Road.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Simpson, who suffered concussion at the end of Dartford's 3-0 loss at Bromley in the FA Cup second qualifying round, has been given the all-clear from medics to return to action.

Looking ahead to the visit of Corby, Sampson added:  "Corby are the first team we have played this season who are lower than us in the league.  They have a similar budget to us and after beating them twice last season we will be looking to beat them again."

Sampson announced Danny Nicholls, a striker who turned seventeen last Friday, has signed a one-year contract at the club.

He said: "Danny is an outstanding young prospect and also represents the county."

Dartford return to Bromley's Clive Christian Stadium in Hayes Lane on Tuesday evening for a Kent Senior Cup first round tie, and Tedder looks set to make only his second first team start for the Darts against a side who haven't conceded a goal in 534 minutes of football.

Admission prices for the game are £7 (adults) and £4 (concessions) and the game will be decided on the night.

Bromley  vs  Dartford, Tuesday 7 October, 7.45pm, Kent Senior Cup First Round, @ The Clive Christian Stadium, Hayes Lane, Bromley

Dartford  vs Corby Town, Saturday 11 October, 3.00pm, Dr Martens League Eastern Division, @ Gravesend & Northfleet FC, Stonebridge Road, Northfleet