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Sport

Dartford striker Alex Wall targets promotion in the play-offs to answer his critics

By: Matthew Panting mpanting@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 05:00, 05 April 2023

Striker Alex Wall wants to silence his critics by firing Dartford to promotion.

The 32-year-old took his league tally for the season into double figures with a hat-trick against Dulwich last weekend.

Dartford striker Alex Wall has 11 league goals to his name so far this season. Picture: Keith Gillard

He’s a divisive figure among supporters, his own fans love him while opponents deride his qualities.

But that only serves to drive Wall on and he can’t wait to have a crack at the play-offs with Dartford.

“I saw it the other day on my twitter that people like to say ‘he’s done, he’s not up to it and he’s always injured’, the same spiel,” said Wall. “I hope to shove it right down their throat.

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“I do hear certain things and it can get to you at times but I’m old enough and ugly enough to rise above it.

“I know what I’ve got in my locker so hopefully I can carry this form on.

“Saturday was just another box ticked off. We want to go into the play-offs in second to get home advantage.

“You could see the atmosphere here and we want to take that into the play-offs. The quality we’ve got is unbelievable for this level so we’re all confident, we just need to get these games ticked off and see what happens in the play-offs.

“I love it here and when the crowd make that noise, it really makes a difference. This place can be a fortress.”

Wall was glad to get on the scoresheet after missing a sitter against Chelmsford the previous week.

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“I’ve been having sleepless nights,” he admitted. “It’s my job to score and a chance like that was put on a plate by Samir (Carruthers) but I made up for it on Saturday.

“They put them on a plate for me, all three of them. I’ve got to keep getting in the right positions. Hopefully I’ll keep plugging away and get some more before the end of the season.”

Wall played alongside fellow striker Harvey Bradbury against Dulwich and the extra help seemed to benefit both players.

“On paper me and Harvey looks absolutely horrendous but I thought we worked well,” said Wall. “I got my three and Harvey got a goal as well.

“(You’d say) it’s two big lumps up top who won’t be able to move. We worked really hard and I’m happy that Harvey got another goal as he’s done well since he came in.”

Incredibly, last weekend’s treble was a first competitive hat-trick for Wall, who also reached 100 league goals at the same time.

His career has included a successful time in the Football League with Luton while he’s also scored goals for the likes of Concord and Maidenhead.

“I should be more happy than I am,” he said. “It’s quite emotional. I’m happy to reach those milestones.

“It’s weird to get my first-ever hat-trick, I can’t actually believe that stat. But to get to 100 league goals I’m really proud of myself to be fair.”

As for the matchball, Wall expects it to take pride of place at home - at least in the short term.

“I’ve got a lot of room to put it!” he joked. “It will be pride of place for about five minutes before my missus moves it off and hides it in the garage.

“I just had all the boys sign it with some nice messages and some not so nice.

“It’s a nice personal accolade but the main goal is to go up as a club like Dartford should be in the National League.”

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