Fans can give Darts the Edge

Dartford’s supporters have been urged to play their part in the club’s play-off campaign. The Darts finished third in Isthmian Premier and host neighbours Cray Valley at Princes Park tonight (Wednesday) in the play-off semi-final. The winners will travel to Billericay or host Dover in the final on Bank Holiday Monday.

Edge insisted the fans can play their part, recalling the role Chatham’s fanbase played 12 months earlier. “The fans have been brilliant,” said Edge. “They’ve got bigger and stronger as the year’s gone on and we do need them.



“If anything's going to get us that extra bit of energy, that extra bit of fight on Wednesday, it'll be them. “I know they went home a little bit deflated at the weekend but, realistically, I think they knew that it was going to be a step too far to go up automatically. “They would have known that Wednesday night's realistically going to be when it happens.

“I hope they all turn out in their numbers and really get behind us. “I saw it last year. Ady Pennock and I went to watch Chatham (in their semi-final) because we were both going to come here and wanted to see the different styles.

“On that day, Horsham, for me, were the better side than Chatham but Chatham's crowd got them over the line because it went to the wire. “Everyone was tired and I thought Chatham's fans really cheered them on and our fans have got to do that for us – we need them.” It’s been a brilliant first season at Step 3 for Cray Valley under the excellent management of Steve McKimm.

The former Tonbridge boss has kept the Millers in the play-off places throughout the campaign after winning the Isthmian South East title in 2023/24. “We know exactly what Steve’s team will do,” said Edge. “There'll be a hard-working, combative, strong, well-organised side.

We know exactly what we're coming up against. “We're well aware that if we don't turn up fully focused and ready to roll our sleeves up, there'll only be one winner. But I've got faith in our boys.

“We don't doubt our boys, over the season they've proved it. They work so hard every minute. We just need to refresh our minds, refresh our bodies and get ready for Wednesday.

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