MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 3 CHATHAM TOWN 2
With 1,369 enjoying the warm and sunny weather on this Easter Bank Holiday Monday, it was the Darts that started brightly with both Denzelle Olopade (2) and Olly Box (5) having early opportunities.
And it was the Darts that got their noses in front two minutes later, when Dan Smith smashed home his tenth goal of the season after Box’s initial effort had been blocked (7).
Olly Box came agonisingly close to adding a second, only to see his header saved by Chats’ goalkeeper Nathan Harvey (24), before Jeremiah Pinder’s long-range drive was blocked by the Chatham defence. Callum Jones reached the loose ball first, but his lovely cross towards Dan Smith was also desperately cut out by a defender (30)!
Dartford did indeed double their lead before the break, when Olly Box’s delightful solo effort flew by the hapless Harvey to see the young starlet score his sixteenth goal of the campaign (43).
Chats’ boss Kevin Hake was clearly unhappy with his side’s efforts during the first-half, as he swiftly made a double substitution as the second forty-five got underway. Kian Garlinge and Junior Dixon were the duo to depart to be replaced by Nile Ranger and Adam Leathers respectively (46). That was followed by a second double swap on the hour, with Jordy Robins and ex-Dart Ben Allen coming on to replace Alex Giles and Kian Moynes, before Kasim Aidoo made way for Bernie Tanner later on (84).
Returning to the restart, Ady Pennock’s side started brightly again with Callum Jones and Dan Smith combining well, only for the latter to be flagged offside (47), before Smith’s brilliant run was halted by an excellent challenge by a Chatham defender (53).
The visitors pulled a goal back via substitute Jordy Robins, following an excellent interception by Tope Fadahunsi (64). The goal lit a spark in the visitors, as they rallied in what was a much better display than what they’d offered in the first forty-five.
Ady Pennock responded by bringing on Evans Kouassi to replace Jacob Bland (67), which saw the substitute make a positive impact following his arrival…
Having received the ball on the right-flank, Kouassi then ran at the defender, before sending a delicious cross into the Chatham box for Dan Smith to fire in his second of the game and Dartford’s third (74).
Defensive duo Michael Olarewaju and Luther Williams then came on to replace Joe Tennent and Olly Box respectively (76), before Denzelle Olopade’s lovely strike flew narrowly wide of Nathan Harvey’s upright (79).
A minute later saw the visitors pull another goal back via Ben Allen’s wonderful strike into the top corner, after Sam Sene-Richardson’s initial effort had been blocked (80).
Nathan Harvey then prevented Dan Smith from sealing a hat-trick (81), before Sam Odaudu saw his effort blocked (83).
The excellent George Whitefield put in an excellent challenge to thwart a Chats’ attack in the dying seconds, as the Darts held on to secure the victory.
Dan Smith’s efforts earned him a deserved Man of The Match award, as Dartford closed to within two points of their rivals and the playoff places.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly (c), Sam Odaudu, George Whitefield, Joe Tennent, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Jacob Bland, Jeremiah Pinder, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Dan Smith.
SUBSTITUTES: Luther Williams, Dan Carter, Michael Olarewaju, Rohan Vaughan, Evans Kouassi.
CHATHAM TOWN: Nathan Harvey, Kasim Aidoo, Reece Butler (c), Sid Nelson, Kian Moynes, Sam Sene-Richardson, Kian Garlinge, Tope Fadahunsi, Alex Giles, Junior Dixon, Oliver Hobden.
SUBSTITUTES: Jordy Robins, Adam Leathers, Ben Allen, Nile Ranger, Bernie Tanner.
Chris Palmer