Kentish Football 
We knew we had a decent chance of going through in the first game, says disappointed Bradbrook
Tuesday 16th November 2010
DARTFORD skipper Elliot Bradbrook praised the club’s brilliant supporters for giving his team-mates excellent backing throughout tonight’s FA Cup exit at Port Vale, writes Stephen McCartney.
The 25-year-old midfielder gave the Darts the lead at Princes Park ten days ago, before the second best team in League Two equalised with just seven minutes remaining, but the Blue Square Bet South side crashed out of the competition with a 4-0 defeat at Vale Park.
Over 400 BRILLIANT fans made the 376-mile round trip to back their heroes on a bitterly cold night and Bradbrook, who was speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk before boarding the team coach, thanked every single one of them.
“They were fantastic! We didn’t really know how many of them were coming up so when we walked out there and all the noise they made throughout the game was brilliant.
“To be honest we were told it wasn’t the nicest of places to come to but we all walked out there before the game and it was really nice. The pitch was great, massive, but it was great. It was nice to be involved.”
He added: “Everyone loves being in the FA Cup, it’s brilliant. We all enjoy it every year when it comes around. To get through to the first round, to play so well at home when we did, it was great for everyone, but now we’ve got to get back down to the league (and Saturday’s trip to Thurrock in the FA Trophy) and do well there.”
Bradbrook didn’t want to be reminded that Dartford were so close of producing a giant-killing on home soil.
“I know. Don’t remind me!” he said. “We all knew that before we came. It was nice to come here and do it again but we knew we had a decent chance of going through in the first game. It wasn’t to be so we’ll pick ourselves up and get on with it.”
Bradbrook added: “We knew it was going to be difficult. We had our opportunity to win in the first game and it didn’t happen or us but everyone’s disappointed but we gave it a good go. We had a few chances and if they had gone in, may have been a bit different.”
Although fitness levels were good (Port Vale scored their goals in 17, 26, 56 and 75 minutes), Bradbrook admitted Micky Adams’ side used the space well.
Vale Park is one of the largest playing surfaces in League football, and Bradbrook said: “We played the right sort of tactic, we had to pack out the midfield. That is a huge pitch and they stood people, their wide guys, way out wide and it made it difficult because they were pumping balls out there.”
Dartford’s fans deserved a goalscoring memory - something that Kent League Hythe Town achieved during their 5-1 defeat at League Two strugglers Hereford United when Gary Mickelborough rolled home following former Dart, Brendon Cass’s through ball.
“I kept saying to the boys, we’ve got to try to push and try to score,” said Bradbrook.
“We gave it a good go. We had a few shots at the keeper, who has pulled off some decent saves. It may have been different had they gone in.
“I don’t think anyone could disagree that we battered them at home and we should’ve won quite comfortably.
“It’s very rare you do so well in the first game and you know it’s going to be very difficult to come away and try and beat a League side at their own place. We knew it was going to be difficult but we came up (here) and gave it a go.”
They chanted and out sung over three thousand Port Vale fans - half their fan base didn’t even bother to turn up!
“Can you here us? Can you hear us? Can you hear us? Can you hear us over there? We are Dartford, super Dartford. We are Dartford from Princes Park.”
For those Dartford fans that travelled to Vale Park - you are a credit to the club and to Kent football and every single one of you can be proud of your efforts tonight.
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd