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Dartford took their players out of the comfort zone at rivals Ebbsfleet on Boxing Day – and produced a stunning scoreline.
The Darts raced into a three-goal lead in the first 11 minutes on their way to an impressive 4-1 National League South victory to displace Ebbsfleet at the top of the table.
Assistant boss Christian Jolley was full of praise for the way his players carried out their gameplan to perfection.
“We told the boys we wanted to start quickly but we weren’t expecting that clinical a start if we’re honest, normally it takes a bit of time to find the goal,” said Jolley.
“The boys were really at it and we started exactly how we wanted to. You knock the stuffing out of teams when you start that well and the ball is in the back of the net.
“They had some good opportunities, hit the bar, and if that goes in it becomes a different game.
“The boys deserve all the accolades because we’ve worked at it all week, given them different triggers to work off and they executed it specifically in the first 20 minutes. It was a pleasing, complete performance.
“I’m very pleased, I’ve got a big smile on my face because we asked the boys to do things that are uncomfortable.
“Ebbsfleet have got great fluidity and philosophy, and pull players all over the place so we had to be brave in some aspects as sometimes our centre-half ends up on the halfway line as the striker has dropped right in.
“We had to be brave in those instances and the boys showed great character. It was all about hard work and resilience in the second half as we knew they were going to come out and overload us in aspects.
“It gives something back to the fans, they gave us good energy and I hope we gave something back to them. It’s Christmas, there’s a utilities crisis and life is tough for so many at the moment so it’s great to give something back to them.”
Jolley watched Ebbsfleet’s midweek loss at Cheshunt, and devised a plan which ended up blowing their hosts away.
“I had the luxury of watching them against Cheshunt on Tuesday,” he added. “We painted the picture in our dressing room of what our strengths are and how can we impose them on a fantastic Ebbsfleet team.
“They’re a very good team, the scoreline was flattering as we were so clinical. In my opinion they’ve dropped points in games when they haven’t had that clinical nature that they have had for the majority of the season.
“We knew we had to be on it defensively but our attackers were fantastic, they really imposed their qualities. There’s no secret to it, it was hard work and endeavour and the gaffer motivated the boys incredibly well.”
On the game’s controversial moment, when Alex Wall was not penalised for his early tussle with Ebbsfleet captain Chris Solly, Jolley admitted it was a decision that could have gone either way.
“It could have gone against us or for us, it was six of one and half a dozen of another,” he said.
“We’re fortunate and maybe you need a bit of rub of the green to get momentum at a place like this. I can understand their grievance but it evens itself out throughout a season.”
Wall was impressive in attack for Dartford, proving a big physical presence and unsettling an Ebbsfleet defence that had not conceded three times this season, let alone four.
Jolley was full of praise for the striker who made it three goals in two games with a far-post header just before half-time.
“Alex Wall has patiently waited,” explained Jolley. “He’s a big favourite in the dressing room, the boys are very fond of him and he’s supported them brilliantly when he hasn’t been able to play as much as he would like.
“He’s been positive, kept himself fit and taken his opportunity. He got thrown in away to Havant, his old team, and we hoped that would spark things and his performance at Ebbsfleet was a complete striker’s performance.
“He was a nuisance, he hassled, covered serious distance for a big man which is incredible and he got his goal – his finish was outstanding. He’s really got the bit between his teeth and we’re very pleased for him.”
