Many Darts supporters won’t be aware that Connor Dymond came agonisingly close to making it to the fourth round of the FA Cup playing for League Two side Newport County, a decade ago.
The young defender was on loan from Crystal Palace for the thrilling tie against Championship side Blackburn Rovers – in a match billed as Newport’s biggest game for 30 years.
The Welsh club’s striker missed an open goal from six yards. Connor hit the post. And Blackburn Rovers were fortunate to scrape through with a 2-1 win.
On Sunday, he now leads the women’s team out in one of their biggest ever matches.
And he’d love nothing better than to help the side write their own story that can then be part of the Club’s history for many years to come, too.
He said: “It was a great game to be involved in and was live on the BBC. I was on loan from Palace at the time and got to play 85 minutes. I hit the post and we were pretty unlucky.
“It’s not anything I bring up with the team or try to give any advice about. But if I had one bit of advice for the girls, it’s to go out and enjoy it. And if you can’t enjoy it, work hard!”
The Women’s side beat Forest Green Rovers 5-1 in the first-round proper last month. That came after they won a penalty shoot-out against QPR, in the previous qualifying round.
Now they face Bristol-side Keynsham Town at Princes Park, with home advantage something the managers believe can be their not-so-secret weapon.
Martin said: “We’ve only had a few losses in three seasons at home. No team will fancy us here. If they do their homework, they’ll look at the stats and it will be daunting.
“We have the fans behind us and it’s become our fortress. I’m excited for the girls and it’s going to be a great occasion for the Club.”
In their four seasons as managers, they have taken their team to second place in the league twice and to this stage of the FA Cup, twice before.
This time around, they are focussed on going one better in both competitions. Last Sunday, they beat Brentford 3-1 in the league, a team they hope to be battling it out with for the title at the end of the season.
In Martin’s eyes, it was a huge statement.
He continued: “It was a massive win for us. They are a big club with a lot of money behind them. We have been runners up twice and have said we can only lose once if we want to win the league this year. We’ve lost once, and now Brentford have lost twice.
“It was a great performance, I thought we were ever so good all over the pitch.”
“The win at the weekend has given us a massive boost,” Connor agreed. “It was an amazing result. We couldn’t have asked for more from the team. It was a really professional performance.”
Now the side turn their attention to the FA Cup tie on Sunday – a totally different type of game, but one they are relishing.
Martin continued: “Now we turn to the FA Cup and the pressure is off. We have the momentum from the Brentford win behind us and we can go out and enjoy it.”
Connor said: “We will be prepared as we always are. We’ve done our research. They are in a higher division and we fully expect them to come and have a go. 
“But it’s like a week off. Basically, you get to fully enjoy it, enjoy the whole process, enjoy the build-up.
“We are the under-dogs, but we know what we can do and if we play at our best, we know we can give anyone a game at home.”
With a record-breaking crowd for a DFC Women’s match at Princes Park expected, there’s a steely determination running through the squad.
Martin added: “We’ve beaten teams in the league above quite a few times now. We’re never going to win the FA Cup, but it would be a great achievement to go through, make another statement and then see who we get.
“But we have to turn up on Sunday and earn that right first.”
Dartford Women play Keynsham Town at Princes Park this Sunday at 1pm. Please come along and support the team!
Photos Kicks and Clicks
