Again, another thoroughly enjoyable trip down from Merseyside, taking in the two games v Ebbsfleet and Northwood.
I always felt Northwood were a team who could cause us problems, and by taking the lead twice, they certainly went out of their way to make it difficult for us to take all three points. Having said that, even at 1-2 down at half time, I always felt we were capable of winning the game in the second half by the manner in which we got back on level terms so quickly after their opening goal.
Once again, to me it has got to be the all round team performance that won us the game. Everybody played their part. In particular, I thought Guesty was immense at the back for us, and Junior turned on the style for his goals, his passing and his contribution to the game, and he will certainly be a bonus for us when/if we make it to the Premier next season. However, my vote for mom has gone to Alex O'Brien for a number of reasons. I lost count of the number of headers he won during that match against guys taller than himself. He seemed to be playing far more forward than I had seen him previously play. I'm sure his speed has improved off the mark, and over a distance, as well. Certainly the best game I have seen him play on my visits down to PP. And finally, it was his leadership qualities which sneaked him my vote.
I thought the crowd looked a bit light approaching kick off time. But off course, I had forgotton the huge numbers of fans who were still in the clubhouse before the game started. Actually, I think it is staggereing that we have more supporters still in the bar before a match than the majority of other clubs in our league can get to just watch them . Just another reason why we deserve to get get out of theis league, with crowds that other clubs can only dream about. And that with both Wellling and Ebbsfleet playing home games as well. Our crowd of 1118 well and truly beat the 818 Ebbsfleet had for their 3rd round FA Trophy gate. And I have to say again, if there were 1118 at our game, then the crowd at Stonehenge last Tuesday evening was well in excess of the declared gate of 1289. No wonder fans were suspicious of Ebbsfleet's figures on Tuesday night. Were they too embarrassed to admit that the Darts travelling army gave them there biggest gate of the season? There must have been a 1500-1600 crowd, surely - and I was one of them!
Come on you Darts. Let's keep this run going to the end. A great performance, strength in depth. Let's push on for that automatic spot. Brentwood here we come!