Match Report: Dartford Girls Academy 6 – 0 Ipswich Town Foundation

Dartford’s new Girls’ Academy took Ipswich apart in a pulsating first half performance that saw them put six past their opponents.

Manager George Kingdon called it their ‘best performance so far’ as they dominated proceedings from start to finish.

George took a full squad of 16 to the match, although an injury to one of their centre backs in the warm-up saw her replaced by another player just back from injury who was due to be on bench.

However, this didn’t stop the team from starting brightly, with high pressing and some great football from the off.

Isabella Taffs and Izzy Edgar immediately looked threatening on either wing, running at defences and creating chances, with Izzy scoring the first after 7 minutes. Just one minute later, Olivia Ajose got her first, to put the side 2-0 up.

They’d have to wait 20 minutes to score again, but goals from Cherish Stewart, Isabella Taffs, Hannah McLaughlin and another for Olivia Ajose, made it six at half-time.

George was able to bring on some girls for their first minutes in the second half, and they continued to keep the ball well and stopped Ipswich from creating many opportunities.

He said: “For me, this was our best performance so far. It was really pleasing. We had quite a few players not at 100 per cent out there and there were some girls who hadn’t had any minutes so far and they slotted in so well, it will give them a lot of confidence.

“It was positive from the word go. We started brilliantly and wouldn’t let them out of their half and we scored some great team and individual goals.

“Last week we lost to a team a division above in the cup in extra time. We went 2-0 up, but we were a bit shaky and conceded some silly goals. But it was still a great performance and we only just missed out.

“However, we came out with a different mentality this week and I was delighted for the girls, I couldn’t fault a single one of them.”