Callum Jones struck at the end of the first-half, as Dartford beat Sutton United in front of 602 spectators at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.
The scoreline was a fair reflection of the game, although the hosts should have been well clear within the opening eight minutes. But Sutton goalkeeper Jack Sims was in fine form, as he saved superbly from Denzelle Olopade’s 7th minute drive, before denying two Dartford headers from corners within a matter of seconds.
The visitors responded via Matt Rush in the tenth minute, only for the striker see Jacob Marsden deny him. The goalkeeper then tipped Ryan Jackson’s curling drive over the bar (29), before then stepping up to thwart Tyler French (34).
Despite their positive response to the hosts’ early attacks and pressing play, Sutton found themselves behind at the break when Callum Jones got to the rebound first after Tyler Christian-Law’s initial effort had smacked the Sutton upright (45).
The opening exchanges of the second forty-five saw the Darts come close to doubling their advantage, when Callum Jones and Dean Naylor (who’d come on to replace Trialist #24 during the first-half) combined well to create an opportunity for Duane Ofori-Acheampong. However, Jack Sims was alert to deny the striker (55).
Adrian Pennock then made a couple more substitutions in the 61st minute, as Duane Ofori-Acheampong and Tyler Christian-Law left the field to be replaced by a trialist and Ben Allen. Those changes were then followed by three more in the 82nd minute, when Callum Jones, Jeremiah Pinder, and Sam Odaudu were swapped with Joseph Kepka, Ashdon Day, and Gabe Campbell.
Returning to the action, we find Sutton pressing more forward in a bid to find the equaliser. Jack Wadham fired narrowly over the crossbar (68), before Jacob Marsden secured his clean sheet by saving well from Will Davies (89) as the Darts registered a second pre-season victory.
TEAMS
DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden, Trialist #24, Sam Odaudu, Josh Hill (c), George Whitefield, Callum Jones, Denzelle Olopade, Duane Ofori-Acheampong, Luther Williams, Tyler Christian-Law, Jeremiah Pinder.
SUBSTITUTES: Trialist #2, Ben Allen, Trialist #27, Dean Naylor, Ashdon Day, Trialist #22, Joseph Kepka, Blu Husthwaite, Gabe Campbell.
SUTTON UNITED: Jack Sims, Hayden Muller, Lewis Simper, Tyler French, Josh Coley, Siju Odelusi, Matt Rush, Jayden Harris, Harry Ransom, Jeremy Sivi, Ryan Jackson.
SUBSTITUTES: Jay Williams, Will Davies, Jack Wadham, Junior Eccleston, Dillon De Silva, Steve Arnold, Nana Boateng.
Chris Palmer
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