DARTS HEARTS ARE CRUSHED!
HOW quickly it can all change. For a few incredible minutes, late yesterday afternoon, Dartford were going up as champions after a four-goal swing in the two matches that would decide the championship.
Darts looked out of the title race at half-time, being held by relegated Bognor while just along the coast, Havant were 2-0 up and seemingly coasting.
But a goal from Danny Mills gave them hope before news filtered through of Concord pulling one back.
Hundreds of away supporters all around Nyewood Lane suddenly began to believe and that hope grew stronger when Ronnie Vint made it 2-0.
Now Dartford knew two more goals would be enough to see them up on goals scored but even better news was about to arrive from Westleigh Park.
Concord had equalised and the Darts supporters went wild with those celebrations mirrored on the bench.
Tony Burman made sure his players knew the situation straight away and now the nerves really kicked in.
Ollie Pearce’s penalty halved the lead but as long as Dartford held on and Concord did the same, goal difference was no longer an issue.
However, the delirium turned to despair in an instant as Jason Prior’s goal, less than 20 miles away, snatched promotion away from his former club.
Burman said: “We’re disappointed we haven’t won the league but I’m delighted with the effort everyone’s put in. We couldn’t have asked for more.
“That’s nine wins on the spin and I know it’s over 42 games but we’re equal on points, we’re the highest goalscorers in the league and our defensive record is third-best so what more can you ask?
“Havant have done their bit and in the end they’ve scored in the 89th minute and it’s taken all the joy away – but it’s not taken the pride away. I’m delighted with what we’ve achieved so far this year and it’s not finished yet.”
Dartford arrived in Sussex needing goals but they might easily have conceded a couple themselves in the first half.
Justin Amaluzor dragged two shots wide when he should have done better as the Darts betrayed their nervousness.
Elliot Bradbrook’s header forced a save from Rocks keeper Dan Lincoln but the visitors were living dangerously and had to clear a Harvey Whyte effort off the line.
Lincoln denied Bradbrook again and Vint’s follow-up was blocked but with no score at halftime, things looked bleak.
Burman said: “It’s very difficult to say to your players ‘you’ve got to get six goals’ and it shows no respect for the opposition but we knew we had to do that.
“Football can be a strange game and Concord have obviously had a go. Once we got the goal, we knew we had to get four when we heard it was 2-1 and that’s what we were trying to do.”
Lincoln had just pulled off a great save from Mills when the same player beat him with a downward header from Ryan Hayes’ dinked cross.
Tom Murphy almost made it 2-0 before Vint did, the centrehalf showing great composure to stroke a shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
Concord’s equaliser had the Darts dreaming but on a day of so many twists and turns, Prior had the final word.
Bognor, who will play in Bostik Premier next season, may need to find a new manager.
Jack Pearce said: “I’ll always have enthusiasm for the game but whether that’s in management or some other role, I don’t know. It’s very disappointing to go down but we have the lowest wage budget in the league.
“To make it difficult for teams with much more physical presence and money, I take a lot of pleasure from that.
“In most games we’ve had more possession than the opposition but we can’t turn it into goals and that’s the most important thing.
“I think we can be successful playing that way but I suspect I’m in the minority.”