Eddie Dsane struck late in the first-half, as Dartford secured a fourth consecutive victory on the road to stretch their unbeaten league run to thirteen games on a cold day in Essex.
With fixtures coming thick and fast during this busy period of the campaign, Ady Pennock made six changes to his team in a bid to shuffle things around. In came Michael Olarewaju, Tyler Christian-Law, Hayden Bullas, Jeremiah Pinder, Eddie Dsane, and Duane Ofori-Acheampong to the starting eleven, whilst Josh Hill, Samuel Okoye, Samir Carruthers, Louis Dunne, Olly Box, and Callum Jones were given a rest… although, the final three were on the bench for this fixture.
Despite the promise that the game initially offered, the truth is that it wasn’t easy on the eye, as both teams tried cancelling each other out. Nor could either side really get going, yet it was the Darts who looked the more dangerous.
Jeremiah Pinder saw his lovely back-heeled effort blocked by a defender, after good work by Tyler Christian-Law in the 14th minute in what was the game’s first real effort of goal.
The second arrived in the 29th minute, when Sam Odaudu’s drive flew narrowly over the top of Bobby Mason’s crossbar. The goalkeeper then pulled off a great save to prevent Hayden Bullas from finding the back of the net with a powerful strike (31).
Eddie Dsane then saw a defender put in an excellent block to prevent his strike from troubling Mason (43), before his next attempt beat the Canvey Island shot-stopper after great work by Bullas (45+2).
The start of the second forty-five saw the hosts put on more of an effort in a bid to get back into the game. Yet, it was the visitors who came agonisingly close to scoring the next goal after catching Canvey with a swift counter-attack.
Hayden Bullas was, once again, at the centre of the move as he released Duane Ofori-Acheampong. And, on his return to (starting) action, the Dartford number nine forced Mason into another good save from a tight angle… however, the ball was deflected towards the line, only for another Canvey player get back to clear the danger (68)!
Ofori-Acheampong was then on hand to clear the ball off the line at the other end, after Sonny Hart’s header had beaten Jacob Marsden (74).
Bobby Mason then stepped up to save Jeremiah Pinder’s 77th minute effort, before Ady Pennock made a double change of personnel… Eddie Dsane and Duane Ofori-Acheampong were the two to leave the field, as Callum Jones and Olly Box came on (80).
The Darts went on to manage the remainder of the game to complete the double over Canvey Island, as well as increase their unbeaten league run to an impressive thirteen games. Not only that, but stand-in Skipper Jacob Marsden marked the occasion with another clean sheet… his third in four away fixtures.
As 2024 draws to a close, Ady Pennock’s team sit in fourth place of the Isthmian Premier League table, just seven points behind league leaders Dover Athletic. The New Year is going to be very exciting indeed…!
TEAMS
CANVEY ISLAND: Bobby Mason, Jaden Crowhurst, Tom Stephen, Maany Adebiyi, Oliver Parsons, Sonny Hart, Elliott Ronto (c), Conor Hubble, Chris Harris, Darren Foxley, Finlay Dorrelit.
SUBSTITUTES: Tobi Tinubu, Kane Gilbert, Matt Yates, Bradley Sach, Josh Wakefield.
DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden (c), Sam Odaudu, Luther Williams, Michael Olarewaju, George Whitefield, Tyler Christian-Law, Denzelle Olopade, Hayden Bullas, Jeremiah Pinder, Eddie Dsane, Duane Ofori-Acheampong.
SUBSTITUTES: Callum Jones, Olly Box, Blu Husthwaite, Todd Brand, Louis Dunne.
Chris Palmer
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