Match Report: Newhaven FC 2-7 Dartford FC

London and South East Regional Women Premier League, played on Sunday 17th August 2025.

The new league season kicked off this weekend and the Darts Women headed to the south coast to face Newhaven FC in our opening fixture of the league campaign.

The Darts began the game very brightly and it wasn’t long before the early dominance paid off. In the 8th minute, Paris Smith put debutant Mya Lewis-Potter through on goal. The Darts forward fired home from close range to score her first goal for the Darts. A sign of things to come for our debutants.

We continued to create good chances and it wasn’t long before we doubled our lead. In the 13th minute, Shauni Griffiths put Mya Lewis-Potter through on goal. The initial shot was well saved by Newhaven keeper, Elleah Fenner, but the ball fell to Paris Smith, who fired home from 6yds to extend the lead.

The visitors continued to dominate the first half and it wasn’t long before we got the third goal of the game. In the 29th minute, a menacing cross from the right from Ellie Dolby found Shauni Griffiths in space. The Darts forward headed the ball into the path of debutant, Leen Ekwo, who volleyed home to score her first goal for the Darts.

The Darts made it four on the stroke of half time. In the 42nd minute, Gabby Howell shot 25yds from goal that was parried by the keeper into the path of Leen Ekwo. The Darts debutant made no mistake from close range to score her second goal of the afternoon.

The home side began to grow into the game in the early stages of the second half and got a goal back midway through the second half. In the 63rd minute, a well worked set piece from the home side saw Chloe Winchester unmarked in the box to head home for the home side.

The visitors restored the four goal gap two minutes after conceding. In the 65th minute, a corner from the left saw Darts defender, Mercedes Bromfield fire an effort on goal. The shot came back off the bar and went in off the Newhaven keeper for our fifth goal of the afternoon.

We continued to create good chances and got our sixth goal deep into the second half. In the 79th minute, a great ball across the six yard box from Darts captain, Xayla-Rae Alberts found Leila Awan at the back post. The Darts debutant fired the ball into the empty net for goal number six.

Darts got a seventh goal in the final stages of the game. In the 86th minute, a great run from Amina Hanif found Leen Ekwo in space on the edge of the box. A smart flick from the Darts forward found Lizzie Adams who fired home to make it a memorable first away day of the season for the Darts.

The home side got a second goal back deep into stoppage time. In the 93rd minute, Newhaven’s Danielle Parfitt caught the Darts keeper out and fired home an effort from distance into the roof of the net.

FT Newhaven FC 2-7 Dartford FC.

A good win for the Darts on the road in the opening fixture of the league campaign. Seven goals, six debutants, three points! It’s good to be back!

Team: Jade Charlton, Abbey Davies, Shauni Griffiths, Leen Ekwo, Paris Smith, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Mya Lewis-Potter, Gabby Howell, Ellie Dolby, Amina Hanif, Mercedes Bromfield.

Subs (all used): Georgie Davis, Lizzie Adams, Rochelle Mayne, Leila Awan, Aislyn Kelly

Connor Brennan