I'll avoid the obvious stuff about the players hitching to Dartford as we can't afford the bus fare etc etc. Dartford are in a bit of the same boat as ourselves with the new season looming and parts of the squad still filled by academy players in the absence of new signings, while they wait to see if the last few days of the transfer window bring in something exciting. I can't do the sort of build up Belv does so effortlessly, so I'll just mention the fact that the last time we sent the reserves down, they lost 3-1 in a Kent Senior Cup Semi Final. Judging by the result at Ebbsfleet, we may have an uncomfortable evening ahead (less so for me as Dartford are my Non League team). Anyone going.
First half wasn't very good, Dartford dominated and we were lucky not to be 2 or 3 down, nothing seemed to click and were very panicky. However second half came out a different team, passed well and seemed more composed, Dartford still had chances but couldn't put them away and Phillips played very well, Pigott's penalty miss was one out of Baileys book however he took his goal very well along with Azeez.
Doctor Kish writes "Charlton had three young trialists on the bench at Princes Park, strikers, Braima Balde from Vitoria Guimaraes and Marcel Henry-Francis from Birmingham City, and AZ Alkmaar defender, Raymon Yeboah." This is odd. None of them got on the pitch. I can see the point of taking youngsters with the first team squad just to get used to the atmosphere and to let them know they are not that far off breaking into the squad, but I imagine no-one is going to be encouraged by just sitting on the bench at Dartford. Impressed by their footballing surnames, though. We could do with Balde, Henry, Francis (Trevor or Gerry) and Yeboah in the team. Who said we can't afford to sign "famous names"? Other points: Hughes played midfield. A step towards a coaching career? I was hoping he would continue where he left off at the end of the season as one of our best midfielders. Jordan missing yet again. Maybe a sign he is arranging a loan somewhere like it was with Smith. Paxman and Munns still getting minutes. More than some of our own players.
I like the look of Munns very tricky good on the ball,al la Joe Cole. The only problem is he is smaller than Joe Cole, about 5 foot 3.
