MATCH REPORT | FOLKESTONE INVICTA 2 DARTFORD 2
The hosts started brightly in front of the 1,488 supporters, with new loan signing Nathan Paul-Lavaly (from Bromley) seeing an early strike blocked by the Dartford defence (4).
The visitors looked equally as lively though and, as we reached the thirteenth minute, we came upon the case of the two lobs… Olly Box’s effort was first, which dropped comfortably into the arms of Ted Collins.
The Invicta goalkeeper then punted a long-ball over the top, which reached Jake Hutchinson. He tried something similar to Box, only his effort flew narrowly wide of Jonny Henly’s far post.
Olly Box was at it again six minutes later, but his lovely curling drive was well saved by Collins (19).
Two minutes later saw the hosts make an error at the back, which Dan Smith pounced on. He raced into the box, before seeing Collins save his strike. However, the rebound was met by the boot of Callum Jones, who smashed in his sixth goal of the season (21).
The Dartford number seven came agonisingly close to doubling his side’s lead five minutes later. Having been picked out following good work by Dan Carter, Jones could only watch as Collins somehow saved his strike (26).
The hosts were soon level though, after debutante Paul-Lavaly found enough space to fire a fierce drive beyond Jonny Henly (29).
Yet, the Darts were swiftly ahead once again after excellent work by Box left Jones with the opportunity to send a delightful long-range curling effort into the top corner (31)!
Jones then fired narrowly over the top of Collins’ crossbar (36), before Dan Carter saw his long-range effort saved by Collins following excellent combination play by Jeremiah Pinder and Dan Smith (44).
Both sides began the restart in similar fashion, but it was Folkestone who were given an opportunity to score the next goal in this entertaining encounter when the referee awarded them a penalty within the opening nine minutes.
However, Henly was alert to save Jake Hutchinson’s spot-kick (54)!
The hosts kept attacking though, and Joe Pigott levelled the score a minute later following frantic scenes inside the Dartford box.
It was all hands to the pump for the visitors following the equaliser, as Invicta threw men forward in a bid to turn the game around completely. And aside from a superb interception by Jeremiah Pinder in the 62nd minute, the Darts held firmly to frustrate their opponents.
Ady Pennock made a double substitution after 69 minutes, with both Sammie McLeod and Rohan Vaughan coming on to replace Dan Carter and Jeremiah Pinder respectively. The Dartford boss would also go on to swap Sam Odaudu with Luther Williams (71), before Dan Smith made way for Eddie Dsane (78).
The game was relatively even from then on, as both sides probed for the winning goal, but to no avail. There were opportunities for both, but it was the hosts that came closest when Jonny Henly pulled off an excellent save to earn the Darts a valuable point (86).
Together with other results, the draw means that the Darts are now five points away from the playoff places. However, with just one defeat in six and lots of football still to be played, they’re not out of the hunt. And, Michael Olarewaju and Co can be proud of how they played this afternoon against a top Folkestone Invicta side.
FOLKESTONE INVICTA: Ted Collins, Ben Mason, Joel Odeniran, Kevin Lokko (c), Jake Hutchinson, Donell Thomas, Joe Pigott, Adam Lovatt, Nathan Paul-Lavaly, Alex Woodyard, Sam German.
SUBSTITUTES: Harley Earle, Mikey Berry, Ryan Kingsford, Josh Strouts, Ronnie Dolan.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Sam Odaudu, Michael Olarewaju (c), George Whitefield, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Dan Carter, Jeremiah Pinder, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Dan Smith.
SUBSTITUTES: Eddie Dsane, Luther Williams, Elliot Oviawe, Sammie McLeod, Rohan Vaughan.
Chris Palmer