I love playing in the big games, says McClements - EXCLUSIVE

Eddie McClements enjoyed playing against the Premiership class of Tottenham Hotspur last night - and cannot wait for another endurance test against Crystal Palace on Friday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Dartford midfield playmaker, 23, scored the Kent side’s second goal during their 2-1 second half win, in front of 2,395 at Princes Park.

But stunning Spurs chalked up a devastating six goals without reply during the first half, with French star Adel Taarabt, 18, running the show.

“It was an experience, it was a good experience,” McClements said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“It was such a big test for everyone. We already knew that it was going to be difficult, but it was what you want in pre-season.

“You want a big test against the better teams. A few more of them would be good for us - come the start of the season, we’d be raring to go.”

Darts only had three training sessions before their examination last night, and Championship club Crystal Palace visit Princes Park on Friday night.

Former Darts winger, Dave Martin, makes an emotional return to the Ryman League club, following his deserved £25,000 move to Selhurst Park last January.

“Dave sometimes comes down to training a few times,” revealed McClements. “I think we’ve all been keeping an eye on him, watching his progress and it’s good seeing him do well.

“He’ll obviously get a great reception here, that’s for sure.”

Over four thousand fans will pack Princes Park against the Eagles, and McClements recalled that special day on 11^th November 2006 when the club ended it’s fourteen year exile, when Horsham YMCA were defeated 4-2 - in front of a capacity 4,097 crowd.

“It’s going to be like the opening day, which was unbelievable,” said the former Gravesend & Northfleet midfielder.

“You want to play in games like that, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

He was, however, pleased that the Darts contained Spurs during the second half of their 7-2 defeat last night.

Dartford changed their usual 4-4-2 formation at the interval, with the scoring being 6-0 to the north Londoners, and opted to play substitute Brad Potter, McClements, and new signing from Tonbridge Angels, Alex O’Brien in the middle of the park.

“I think perhaps they took their foot of the gas a little bit,” admitted McClements.

“If they really put their effort into it, like they did the first half, (when) it was all one way traffic.

“But we changed our tactics and it paid off and it was a lot easier.”

Dartford open their Ryman League Division One North campaign with a home clash with Maldon Town on Saturday, 18^th August.

And McClements believes that the north Kent club have the players to win the title and clinch promotion into the Ryman Premier League.

“I hope so, that’s the target,” he said. “There’s no doubt in any of the players’ mind, that is the target.

“We just have to be positive and as a unit, we have to go for that. We’ve made some very good signings, they’ve fitted in well.”

Expectations have gone through the wooden roof at Princes Park.

“They should be as well,” said McClements, who joined striker Jay May on the score sheet last night.

He added: “I’m glad there are expectations because if their weren’t, something would be wrong.”

* There are NO more tickets available for the Crystal Palace game. However, you can keep up to date with Dartford’s progress as www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be bringing LIVE score updates.

Visit Dartford’s websites:  www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Dartford v Crystal Palace
Pre-Season Friendly
Friday 20^th July 2007
Kick Off 7:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT