To me the draw was a fair result. Although I would have liked to have seen the Darts play the ball more on the carpet, I do believe the Darts gave it everything for the 90 minutes + and I think the supporters appreciate that. I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the match, and in fairness to the Dover lads, yes they did come across loudly in support of their team. I'm only sorry they weren't able to sample our bar hospitality. The cheer that went up simultaneously from the three sides of the ground must have been the loudest of any of the goals scored at PP so far when we scored our last minute equaliser - and yes - it was deserved, and it also preserved my record of not seeing the Darts defeated as well since the Kings Lynn match. So well done boys. Yes, I know Dover had chances to make the game safe, but those chances weren't taken, and we also had our chances as well. A couple of the lads might not have been quite on top of their game, but the likes of Guesty and Avery were splendid, although it was Brad Potter who earned my man of the match vote for a performance ahead of his experience. (And some of the Premiership clubs are now looking at dispensing with their academies !!! Well, we've got our production line working well)
To me the signs are good for the rest of the season. Second at present although Dover could still overtake us with their outstanding games. I believe where the Darts have gained this season is not having too many draws. However, this draw was a very good draw as Dover didn't gain on us. If this was one of Dover's best performances of the season as reported, then we've done very well with a Darts side that is still evolving and which will continue to improve as the season progresses.
I must admit to being very disappointed by the referee. How their keeper was never booked for timewasting, I will never know. The most blatant being when he came out of his penalty area to the touch line to retrieve a ball when other players were far closer to the ball than he was. Even in the first half, the keeper spent so much time placing the ball in the 6 yard box for goal kicks on so many occasions, I just couldn't understand the referee allowing it. There were times when I thought the ref must have thought he was wearing a Dover shirt. In fact, he provoked me to be shouting out as to why he wasn't putting on a blue shirt. The amount of time he spent talking to a Darts player after an infringement whilst saying absolutely nothing to Dover players in similar situations beggared belief. I thought the ref actually spoilt the game itself and if he was the subject of a Sky TV documentary, then he should have plenty of opportunity to see his performance again. Just a pity he wasn't up to the standard we had at the homecoming fixture when the referee Crouch controlled the game so well, almost without being noticed. Perhaps he was fazed by the size of the crowd.
Incidentally, the average gate has now increased from 888 to 972 which has pushed us up 4 more places to 122 best supported club on Tony Kempsters website.
Well done all you Darts. Keep that support coming!!
And Custard, did you win the Golden Goal? I'm sure you drew the 15 minute ticket just before I bought you that pint !!!
Poll
4 (9.3%)
Author
Topic: Dover at Home on the 9th - Match Thread (Read 29764 times)