I couldn't perform for Angels, admits "disappointed" Green

New Dartford left-sided midfielder Mark Green is relishing his home debut tomorrow night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The former Gillingham, Margate, Welling United and Eastbourne Borough player made his Darts debut during their 2-2 draw at Dover Athletic on Saturday after being released by Tonbridge Angels earlier in the week.

And the 21-year-old, who can play in a whole range of positions, was deployed as a left-sided midfielder at Crabble and gave his side the lead with a stunning right-footed strike after 28 minutes.

“It’s fallen for me at the edge of the box on my right foot funnily enough and it’s end up in the top corner,” he told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the derby draw.

“Brendon Cass’ gone up with a great header, it’s just fallen for me and my touch has put it on my right. I looked up and had a go and luckily enough it’s in the top bins,” said the left-footed player.

STRIKE:  Debutant Mark Green strikes his right-footed shot that gave the Darts the lead against Dover Athletic at Crabble on Saturday.

Photograph courtesy of Jack Carter and www.dartfordfc.co.uk.

Dartford fully deserved their lead but a dominant spell from the hosts gave Clive Walker’s side a 2-1 lead through Craig Cloke and debutant Anton Innocent before Cass’s 24^th goal of the season ensured the Darts came away with a point.

“Well they got that little ten minute spell towards the end of the first half and I think we were thankful for half-time really,” admitted Green.

“They started to play the ball about, opening us a bit (and) they got the goal as you see but I think it’s a deflection. I reckon the goalkeeper would have got it but that’s the way it goes.

“We started slow second half but it was great character to battle back.

“I reckon it’s a massive point for us without a doubt coming here. Going away with nothing would be disappointing.

“It’s very tight at the top. We’d be very happy to come home with three points, we had some good chances, so did they.”

After Tony Dolby showed him the exit door from the Betterview Longmead Stadium Green was expected to sign for their Ryman Premier League rivals Folkestone Invicta but opted to sign for his home-town club Dartford.

The Longfield resident added: “I went training with Dartford on Thursday and the boys welcomed me, had good session and today to top it off, capped a goal.

“It was up and down for me at Tonbridge, a bit disappointed I couldn’t perform for them.

“One week I was playing well, the next weren’t so well but I wish Tonbridge all the best and I hope they get into the play-off’s.”

But Green, who was at Park View Road yesterday to watch Welling United lose 4-1 to Grays Athletic in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy, wants to play against the Angels in the Ryman Premier League next term.

He said: “The gaffer (Tony Burman) said “I want promotion this year” and when you hear things like that it’s only good.

“I enjoyed it today, I had a lot of freedom, got at the right-back but it’s a change for me and maybe it’s the change I needed.”

Tooting & Mitcham United visit Princes Park on Tuesday night and Green is relishing a vital home match.

“I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “The fans were great (at Dover) today so hopefully we can go and get the three pints and look forward to Saturday (and there trip to league leaders Maidstone United).

“Every game is important, we just have to keep working, keep plugging at them and keep trying to get the points.”

The Darts are halfway through some tough games against their promotion rivals and travel to Bourne Park to lock horns with league leaders Maidstone United on Saturday.

The Stones took advantage of their rivals all drawing at the weekend to go five points clear at the top of the Ryman League Division One South table with their 4-1 win at Croydon Athletic.

“We’ve had two big games, we’ve had Fleet at home and we’ve had Dover away and Dover is a big game,” boss Tony Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Under normal circumstances to come away from here is a good result but because we’re getting closer to the end of the season I wanted three points (but) we didn’t get it.

“Maidstone are flying at the moment and fair play to them but there’s a long, long way to go.

“We’ve got two big games coming up as well, which is another seven days, a long time in football. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.

“We’ve got Tooting first and that’s one hell off a game for us. They’re a good side, Maidstone are a good side as well.

“There’s many games Tuesday night with the top sides playing so lots of things can change and like I’ve said all along we just have to keep digging in.”

Central defender Lew Watts has completed his suspension and is available to face the Terrors, a side managed by former Bromley bosses Billy Smith and George Wakeling.

Meanwhile, Welling United will play their home Nationwide Conference South fixture against Thurrock at Princes Park next Tuesday, 6th March (7:45pm). 


Ryman League Division One South table (top eight)

Kingstonian v Whyteleafe

Ashford Town v Maidstone United
Burgess Hill Town v Corinthian Casuals
Cray Wanderers v Godalming Town
Dartford v Tooting & Mitcham
Dover Athletic v Leatherhead
Dulwich Hamlet v Fleet Town
Hastings United v Chatham Town
Horsham YMCA v Walton Casuals
Molesey v Croydon Athletic
Sittingbourne v Metropolitan Police

Chatham Town v Kingstonian
Corinthian Casuals v Dover Athletic
Croydon Athletic v Ashford Town
Fleet Town v Cray Wanderers
Godalming Town v Dulwich Hamlet
Leatherhead v Horsham YMCA
Maidstone United v Dartford
Metropolitan Police v Molesey
Tooting & Mitcham United v Sittingbourne
Walton Casuals v Hastings United
Whyteleafe v Burgess Hill Town

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be at Princes Park for this game.

Visit Dartford’s websites:

www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Dartford v Tooting & Mitcham United
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 27^th February 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT