MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 1 CHARLTON 6
Dartford’s pre-season preparations began, with EFL League One outfit Charlton Athletic taking on the Darts at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.
As a new era under the leadership of Adrian Pennock began, 2,149 supporters enjoyed new food and drink outlets within the stadium, while the mixed weather conditions contributed towards an afternoon of exciting friendly football.
And, the new-look Darts gave a good account of themselves against their professional opponents, despite this being their first game playing together.
The hosts put in a solid start after kick-off, and the lively Callum Jones narrowly missed the target with a neat header after just six minutes.
However, Charlton’s superior fitness and passing abilities showed as they began to press higher up the pitch while moving the ball swiftly. And it wasn’t long before they took the lead, as Tyreece Campbell fired beyond Jacob Marsden after combining well with Scott Fraser (14).
The Addicks doubled their lead nine minutes later, when Nathan Asiimwe smashed the ball beyond Marsden after getting on the end of Thierry Small’s cross.
Two then became three, as Daniel Kanu scored from the penalty spot after Dwight Pascal was adjudged to have handled the ball following another Small cross (24).
Despite the scoreline, the Dartford players continued to battle and stick to their tactics, and it wasn’t long before the chances came… Olly Box found Duane Ofori-Acheampong with a neat free-kick, but goalkeeper Harry Isted was able to get down low to save the striker’s header (29).
Two minutes later saw Ben Allen and Callum Jones combine well, only for the duo see Isted alert enough to smother Jones’ 31st minute effort. Jones was at it again eight minutes later, when he got on the end of Sam Odaudu’s lovely cross to send a delightful header into the top corner (39).
However, The Addicks restored their three-goal advantage in the 42nd minute via Tyreece Campbell, who sent a long-range drive into the back of the net.
As is the norm in pre-season friendly games, both sides began the second forty-five with completely different elevens…
Adrian Pennock took advantage of the qualities within the Dartford Academy, as well as a handful of trialists looking to impress the manager. They lined up thusly:
Josh Ackinson; Jayden Boulton, George Whitefield, Trialist #27, Trialist #4; Trialist #23, Dean Nayler, Trialist #26, Aiden Guest; Finley Scillence, and Ashdon Day.
Meanwhile, the visitors lined up with Will Mannion in goal, followed by Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Alex Mitchell, Zach Mitchell, Tennai Watson, Conor Coventry, Luke Berry, Tayo Edun, Josh Edwards, Matt Godden, and Gassan Ahadme.
The start of the second-half was an even affair, until the visitors began to find their feet. Once they settled, they pressed the young Darts back for large portions of the half, as their passing game caused issues.
Luke Berry failed to trouble Josh Ackinson with his strike in the 52nd minute, before Jayden Boulton pulled off a superb block to prevent an Addick from testing the goalkeeper three minutes later.
Tennai Watson did add to Charlton’s scoreline after the 67th minute with a neat finish into the bottom corner, before both sides made a further change(s) in personnel…
Dartford swapped Trialist #23 with youngster Ellis Procter (77), while Charlton replaced Gassan Ahadme with trialist Danny Hylton (80) and Tayo Edun with Alan Henry with two minutes left to play.
Returning to the action, we find young shot-stopper Josh Ackinson called into action with a decent save, before the loose ball was eventually cleared off the line (84). But, Charlton were rewarded for their efforts with a sixth goal a minute later, when Danny Hylton finished from close range after Luke Berry’s initial strike was parried by Josh Ackinson (85).
New signing Denzelle Olopade was awarded with the Man of The Match for the first-half, while Jayden Boulton received the award for his efforts in the second-half of a game which saw Adrian Pennock’s new team begin to gel as a unit.
TEAMS
DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden, Dwight Pascal, Sam Odaudu, Josh Hill (c), Callum Jones, Denzelle Olopade, Duane Ofori-Acheampong, Ben Allen, Olly Box, Luther Williams, Tyler Christian-Law.
SUBSTITUTES: Trialist #4, George Whitefield, Dean Nayler, Ashdon Day, Jayden Boulton, Aiden Guest, Ellis Procter, Josh Ackinson, Trialist #23, Finley Scillence, Trialist #26, Trialist #27, Jez Pinder.
CHARLTON: Harry Isted, Nathan Asiimwe, Macaulay Gillesphey, Terry Taylor, Kayne Ramsey, Lloyd Jones (c), Thierry Small, Teddy Bishop, Tyreece Campbell, Scott Fraser, Daniel Kanu.
SUBSTITUTES: Tennai Watson, Will Mannion, Conor Coventry, Alex Mitchell, Josh Edwards, Tayo Edun, Luke Berry, Gassan Ahadme, Matt Godden, Zach Mitchell, Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Aaron Henry, Trialist #25.
Chris Palmer
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