Back in September our ladies beat Ashford 4-0 in the league. Although this evening's scoreline was the same, this was a very different game. Whereas previously the visitors were very defensive making Darts work hard for their goals, while being mindful of being hit on the break, our girls carved them open tonight.
In the 16th minute Darts we're awarded a free kick just outside the box. Abbey Davies unleashed a shot which crashed off the underside of the bar.
In the 23rd, Xayla-Rae Alberts' cross found Amy Russ who headed the ball on to Shauni, who nodded in at the far post for the opening goal.
Two minutes later a shot from range by Lizzie Adams brought an uncomfortable save from the keeper.
On 36 mins, the tenacious Emily Woodhouse sent in one of many quality crosses during the course of the game, finding Emily Vaughan whose header hit the woodwork.
But Vaughany wasn't to be denied. No more than 60 seconds later she hit a spectacular 25 yarder flying over the keeper's head for goal number two.
39 mins Georgie Davis was very unlucky not to get the third. Her strike from the corner of the penalty box drew an excellent reflex save from the keeper.
A through ball from Beth Powell on 42 mins sent Russ storming into the area before unleashing a powerful strike just over the bar.
The second half began where the first left off as Darts continued to dominate throughout. Another great run from Woodhouse saw her shoot just wide of the far post. But it wasn't long before she pounced on a through ball and played a brilliant pass in towards Shauni and Amy who were both in acres of space in the 64th min. It was Shauni who applied the finishing touch.
Minutes later the Ashford keeper made another good save to deny a decent effort from Brionne Fowle.
With the ladies leading 3-0 the Dartford Ultras behind the goal weren't taking anything for granted. The ball went out of play and landed on the otherside of the barrier a few feet away from them, with 20 minutes remaining.
The Ultras remaind perfectly still, sitting motionless like a row of garden gnomes watching the keeper retrieve the ball herself, wasting precious seconds as they let the clock run down. Game over was soon confirmed when Shauni completed her superb hat-trick with a cool as you like finish on 79 mins.
So it's through to the semi-final with another crack at home to Chatham Town and a chance to avenge our Combined Counties Cup defeat down at the Bauvill last month.
Player of the match it's hard not to go for Shauni who deservedly ended up with the match ball.
But a special mention should also be given to Emily Woodhouse. A massive contributor to the team not just because of the crosses she got in but equally important, she was drawing two players on to her most of the evening, sometimes even three before getting the ball into the box, creating spaces elsewhere for her team mates to exploit. There were good performances all over the pitch tonight.
The defence, excellently marshalled by Abbey Davies, was solid and the likes of Brionne and Xayla were pure energy in midfield. A great team effort. I'm sure we're all looking forward to Sunday's trip to Stonebridge Road. Bring it on!
In the 16th minute Darts we're awarded a free kick just outside the box. Abbey Davies unleashed a shot which crashed off the underside of the bar.
In the 23rd, Xayla-Rae Alberts' cross found Amy Russ who headed the ball on to Shauni, who nodded in at the far post for the opening goal.
Two minutes later a shot from range by Lizzie Adams brought an uncomfortable save from the keeper.
On 36 mins, the tenacious Emily Woodhouse sent in one of many quality crosses during the course of the game, finding Emily Vaughan whose header hit the woodwork.
But Vaughany wasn't to be denied. No more than 60 seconds later she hit a spectacular 25 yarder flying over the keeper's head for goal number two.
39 mins Georgie Davis was very unlucky not to get the third. Her strike from the corner of the penalty box drew an excellent reflex save from the keeper.
A through ball from Beth Powell on 42 mins sent Russ storming into the area before unleashing a powerful strike just over the bar.
The second half began where the first left off as Darts continued to dominate throughout. Another great run from Woodhouse saw her shoot just wide of the far post. But it wasn't long before she pounced on a through ball and played a brilliant pass in towards Shauni and Amy who were both in acres of space in the 64th min. It was Shauni who applied the finishing touch.
Minutes later the Ashford keeper made another good save to deny a decent effort from Brionne Fowle.
With the ladies leading 3-0 the Dartford Ultras behind the goal weren't taking anything for granted. The ball went out of play and landed on the otherside of the barrier a few feet away from them, with 20 minutes remaining.
The Ultras remaind perfectly still, sitting motionless like a row of garden gnomes watching the keeper retrieve the ball herself, wasting precious seconds as they let the clock run down. Game over was soon confirmed when Shauni completed her superb hat-trick with a cool as you like finish on 79 mins.
So it's through to the semi-final with another crack at home to Chatham Town and a chance to avenge our Combined Counties Cup defeat down at the Bauvill last month.
Player of the match it's hard not to go for Shauni who deservedly ended up with the match ball.
But a special mention should also be given to Emily Woodhouse. A massive contributor to the team not just because of the crosses she got in but equally important, she was drawing two players on to her most of the evening, sometimes even three before getting the ball into the box, creating spaces elsewhere for her team mates to exploit. There were good performances all over the pitch tonight.
The defence, excellently marshalled by Abbey Davies, was solid and the likes of Brionne and Xayla were pure energy in midfield. A great team effort. I'm sure we're all looking forward to Sunday's trip to Stonebridge Road. Bring it on!
Statistics: Posted by Ajaxman DFC — Thu Dec 12, 2024 5:15 am