Dartford stretched their unbeaten run to an impressive eleven games, after Callum Jones scored his seventh goal of the season to secure victory against Folkestone Invicta.
Despite the win, this wasn’t the most entertaining of games to watch on a dismal afternoon at The Alcaline Stadium. Not only were the weather conditions horrible, but both sides cancelled each other out in a determined effort to not lose the match. Add to that a referee in Mr Joseph Dann-Pye, who was determined to take centre stage by stopping play at every opportunity. All of which made for a rather dire game of football for the casual observer.
With that being said, both outfits did try to get into some sort of rhythm, and it was the Darts who looked the more dangerous of the two. However, the first forty-five failed to provide any goalscoring opportunities for either side, as neither Jonathan Henly or Jacob Marsden were threatened.
The start of the second-half saw a glimpse of promise early on, when Olly Box came close to breaking the deadlock in the 48th minute.
Ady Pennock opted to freshen things up a little by introducing the returning Michael Olarewaju for Samuel Okoye after 49 minutes. That would be followed by Louis Dunne making way for Hayden Bullas (69), Olly Box making way for Eddie Dsane (72), Samir Carruthers making way for Tyler Christian-Law (81), before Duane Ofori-Acheampong came on for Callum Jones (90+2).
As we return to the action, we arrive at the controversial moment of the afternoon… Samir Carruthers released Louis Dunne with a wonderful pass, only for the latter be blatantly brought down inside the Invicta box. Yet, much to the annoyance of the Dartford faithful, Mr Dann-Pye ignored the visitors’ pleas for a spot-kick.
The normality of this scrap continued afterwards, as both sides struggled for any kind of rhythm. But, Ady Pennock’s side had other ideas…
As a cross into the Folkestone box found Michael Olarewaju, he sent the ball back through the pack of bodies, whereby Callum Jones arrived to fire Dartford into the lead (79).
The Seasiders tried to respond, and they were given plenty of time when Mr Dann-Pye added eight additional minutes from nowhere at the end of the ninety. But, their efforts were in vain, as the Darts remained unbreakable to register a third straight victory on their travels.
TEAMS
FOLKSTONE INVICTA: Jonathan Henly, Gavin Hoyte, Samuel Smith, Ian Gayle (c), Marvel Ekpiteta, Amadou Kassarate, Dean Rance, Khale Da Costa, Thomas Derry, Matthias Fanimo, Joseph Turner.
SUBSTITUTES: Frankie Morgan, Joseph Tyrie, Joel-Michael Odeniran, Sam Blackman, Tyler Anderson.
DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden, Sam Odaudu, Luther Williams, Josh Hill (c), George Whitefield, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Samir Carruthers, Louis Dunne, Olly Box, Callum Jones.
SUBSTITUTES: Duane Ofori-Acheampong, Tyler Christian-Law, Eddie Dsane, Michael Olarewaju, Hayden Bullas.
Chris Palmer
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