Mikemiller's Darts Day afternoon
Given the problems that Zippy has had in logging on to Millersmad (join the club, Zip!), I decided to do my own "groundhopper" Zippy-type blog...except I couldn't remember exactly where my digital camera was, and how to put the photos on to Miillersmad anyway.... so set off to watch Dartford v Norwich City X! minus camera.
Got off the train at Dartford. Weather hot/humid with forecast of isolated thunderstorms. Flying Boat (W'spoons) looked quite busy so instead had a pint in the magnificent Dartford WMC to check my bearings....then walked up to the ground at Prince's Park. Past the Malt Shovel (Youngs) and Ivy Leaf (Freehouse) which have appeared in many issues of the CAMRA good beer guide.
Although I'd been to the old Dartford ground on Watling Street, I'd never been to the new ground (Saw the Millers play Maidstone at Watling Street too , 0-0 draw). The new ground is part of a sports complex about 20mins walk from the town centre. It has no Millmoor-type tall floodlight pylons, so you can't see it until you are right next to it, and it is situated next to a complicated five-way road junction. Eventually, with a bit of local help, found the turnstiles and got in.
Prices Adults £10. Concessions £5, Programme£2-50
Ground holds 4000, modern low-rise concrete, breezeblock and glass type design with a unique wooden effigy "holding up" the roof of the Prince's Road stand. Good bar (Prince's Park real ale £3-20 a pint on handpump , plus other keg beers, lager, cider, tea , snacks etc all available), plus refreshment/snack bars at both ends of the ground.
Good view from all parts of the ground, and although it is all covered, it might get rain and snow blowing in, in winter
Only problem with the programme was that it was written well in advance of the fixture, to cover all the Dartford pre-season friendlies, so didn't have much detail about today's game. In fact, the teams were not actually read out on the tannoy until half-time. It was soon obvious though that it was the Norwich City U-21/development team, and a Norwich fan told me that the first team had an overseas friendly fixture today
Dartford set off well and soon created (and missed) some good chances, then hit the post. Against the run of play, after about 20 mins, the Canaries took the lead, as the Darts keeper and defenders got into an awful tangle, which led to a surprised looking Carlton Morris tapping the ball into an empty net to put Norwich ahead.
After that Dartford still continued to create and miss more chances. (HT 0-1)
At the start of the second half young Spanish right-winger Sergi Canos hit the woodwork for the Canaries, only for Dartford to go down the other end and be awarded a penalty moments later. The Norwich keeper made a good save, diving to his right to block the shot. After that it was still end-to-end stuff as Canos continued to look dangerous, but missied another couple of reasonable chances. His persistence finally paid off near the end when he received the ball from a quick free kick, on the corner of the penatlty area and clipped a perfectly judged left-footed shot into the top of the net at the Darford keeper's far post to make it 0-2.
Dartford still had time to squander more good chances, including hitting the bar (they must have had about 30 shots at goal in the match , but few on target), but the final score was 0-2
Very entertaining end-to-end game. Canos looked very good for the Canaries in the second half - he reminded me a bit of Eugen Bopp (when fit)
Then I walked back into town for another couple of pints in Dartford WMC. Thunderstorms never materialised - a very enjoyable afternoon.
Attendance 537
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