Dartford’s new Women’s Academy team got off to a flier with a five-nil win – despite being down to 10 players after the 25-minute mark.

George Kingdon’s new side filled with first year scholars played an experienced Cambridge side for their first ever league match.

Despite starting off brightly, they found themselves down to 10 players when one of the team saw red after reacting to one of her opposite numbers. Two injuries in the same half to key players, meant the side had it all to do.

However, with a few minutes to go in the first half, Isabelle Edgar ran up the line and played it to Isabella Taffs, who whipped it in with her left foot to lead 1-0.

George changed the team’s shape at the break and after a much needed second goal, the team dominated the game, scoring four in the second half, with Taffs adding a second, Edgar’s wonder strike and Olivia Oladele-Ajose scoring two, also.

George said: “I’m buzzing for the team. The red card was deserved and she regretted it straight away. We were really comfortable before this and controlled the game, but I still felt we had a chance.

“I told them a clean sheet would win the game, but that we’d have chances and to make sure they took them – and we did both.

“I thought we played so well and the maturity we showed was amazing, I couldn’t have asked for more. I’m delighted for them, they put in so much work. Pre-season has paid off today.

“We’ll enjoy the win but we aren’t going to get ahead of ourselves. It’s the first match, but there’s a lot of positives to take away.”

Keep an eye on fixtures, results and table updates for all Academy teams on the website which can be found under the matches section and by selecting the relevant team.