Castle Colts 1 v 2 HJF Dartford Ladies

SECWFL Division 1 East

Reports by Brian Page

HJF DARTFORD Ladies came away from Castle Colts with all three points on their first outing of the campaign, narrowly winning 2-1 in a superb team performance.

Darts took a deserved first-half lead from a goal by player/manager Catherine Fitzpatrick, who fired home from the right flank.

After the interval, striker Harriet Hill doubled the visitors' score pouncing on Becky Leigh's blocked shot but a late consolation goal from the Colts reduced the two-goal cushion as they looked to get a share of the spoils.

Leigh and Hill shared the Man of the Match' award for their contribution up front.

HJF Dartford Ladies entertain Gravesham on September 17 at 2pm.

Dartford Ladies under-15s 9 v 0 Sheerness East under 15s

KG&LFL under-15s

Dartford Ladies under-15s recorded a healthy 9-0 victory against a battling Sheerness East side in their opening game of the season courtesy of a first-half hat-trick and a six-goal second-half blitz.

Last season's Cobras side opened the scoring in the second minute as Nikki Waterman fired a 25-yard free-kick into the roof of the net.

Emily Vaughan narrowly headed a corner wide before Waterman ran through towards the target, chipping the keeper for her second goal.

The hat-trick coming minutes later as she ran onto a pinpoint pass and steered a low shot into the corner of the net.

After the interval, Dartford stepped up the pace, scoring four goals in a 10 minute spell, with Waterman grabbing her fourth goal.

Jane Minto, Ciara Sherwood and Vaughan all opened their accounts.

Sherwood netted her second and Dartford's eighth before Minto completed her brace.

Nikki Waterman was unanimously voted as Man of the Match' for her four-goal performance.

Dartford Ladies under-15s travel to Anchorians on September 17.

Dartford Ladies under-12s 3 v 4 Gravesham Girls under 12s

KG&LFL under-12s Division 2

NEWLY-FORMED Dartford Ladies under-12s fought courageously in their first ever match - a friendly against neighbouring Gravesham Girls.

After a goalless first 10 minutes the Dodgers slipped a goal behind during, despite Bethany Wyatt's first class performance in goal.

Goal scoring attempts from Faye Rodgers, Ashley Kelynack and Abi Brookes were all blocked before the visitors increased their lead to 3-0 with two goals in as many minutes as the interval approached.

After the break, Shelby Varley replaced the industrious Jennifer Reynolds and renewed pressure from Dartford saw Connie Lewin, Jess Needham and Sacha Morris all denied before Gravesham furthered their lead with a fourth goal.

Within a minute Dartford started replying when Lewin headed home from close range to open her account, stunning the visitors, whose further attempts of regaining their four goal margin were superbly stopped by Aimee McDermott in defence and the confident Wyatt.

With Brookes, Morris and Rodgers all having efforts blocked, Lewin netted her second, cheekily back-heeling the ball into the net.

Dartford were lucky not to concede on two further occasions as Gravesham hit the woodwork but unrelenting pressure from Kelynack, Lewin and Brookes was rewarded when Rodgers struck Dartford's third goal in a busy penalty area.

She was unlucky not to pull the home side level as her final shot was stopped as the final whistle blew.

Bethany Wyatt was unanimously voted as Player of the Match'.

Dartford Ladies under-12s travel to Barming on September 17.