“Probably our best performance of the season”

Dartford Girls Academy put in a commanding performance against Dunstable last week to keep their winning run intact.

For their first match after the Christmas break, it was a long trip to Milton Keynes to play Dunstable.

It was a slow start from the team, but the tired legs from the drive soon sprang into action and adapted to the game.

Darts had plenty of possession, with the first goal eventually coming through Olivia Ajose who received the ball on the edge of the box and smashed it into the top corner.

The goal saw the Dunstable heads go down, with a second goal soon after and straight off the training ground. A corner routine saw the ball end up at the far post, for Isabella Taffs to tap in.

It was 2-0 at half-time, with the message to the girls to keep possession and be patient.

Taffs had her second soon after the restart, with a good spell of possession ending in a tidy finish on her stronger foot, where she slotted the ball nicely into the far corner.

Manager George Kingdon made a few changes, with those coming on continuing the good work of those that had started the match.

Cherish Stewart picked up the ball around 15 yards out and then slotted it into the bottom corner, off a good press, to make it 4-0.

The team continued to press and probe as gaps opened up, with a penalty awarded to the team but missed.

The match ended 4-0, with Dunstable rarely threatening in a dominant performance from back to front.

George said: “They enjoyed the rest over Christmas, but have come back looking sharper, fitter and on another level, which is great to see.

“We were concerned that the long drive and no matches would lead to a difficult game with some tired bodies. It was going to be more of a mental test, to see where we are at. But after a slow start, we dominated. They pressed really well, were aggressive in the right places, kept the ball well and kept creating chances.

“As the game wore on, Dunstable were sitting off us, but we kept looking for those gaps to exploit.

“I’d say it was our best whole performance as a team this season, which is really pleasing.

“We now have a week off and then it’s Cambridge away. Another long journey, but plenty of time to prep.”

Darts Girls Academy stay top of the league with 10 wins out of 10.