MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 2 CRAY VALLEY PM 3
With the Dartford boss’ recent announcement that he’ll be moving on to pastures new, coupled with the fact that the Darts were secure in sixth place of the Isthmian Premier League table, meant that proceedings felt a little flat in front of the 1,088 supporters.
Meanwhile, Kevin Lisbie’s visiting Millers still had an outside chance of avoiding relegation, and they played with a fighting spirit which caused problems for the Dartford defence.
Jonny Henly was in for a busy afternoon, as he put in an excellent shift to earn a deserved Man of The Match award at the end of the game. And he was forced into action early, as he pulled off an excellent save to thwart the lively Makise Evans in a one-on-one situation (12).
The Dartford defence then blocked Alfie Newby’s goal-bound effort (31), before Eddie Dsane put the hosts ahead with a close-range finish following good work by Callum Jones (33).
Joe Tennent came close to doubling the hosts’ advantage (42), before the visitors headed over a glorious opportunity (43), as Ady Pennock’s side secured a half-time lead.
The Dartford boss made his first substitution soon after the restart, as Callum Jones made way for Rohan Vaughan (49). This would be followed by a double swap in the 57th minute, as Olly Box and Jeremiah Pinder made way for Evans Kouassi and Dan Carter respectively. Then George Whitefield and Sammie McLeod came on to replace Michael Olarewaju and Jacob Bland (77).
As we return to the action following that first Dartford substitution, Makise Evans was on hand to reach Chris Dickson’s cross to pull Cray Valley level (50).
However, the hosts responded immediately via skipper Michael Olarewaju, who headed in an excellent goal to restore his side’s lead barely two minutes later!
The visitors rallied though, and it wasn’t long before Jonny Henly was called into action to pull off a superb double-save to prevent Fumnaya Shomotun and Makise Evans’ efforts from going in (63).
Five minutes later saw the visitors equalise via a wonderful curling drive from Chris Dickson. The Darts responded via Evans Kouassi, who came agonisingly close to scoring a third goal for the hosts following excellent work by Eddie Dsane (81).
Chris Dickson then scored his second of the afternoon deep into stoppage time, as The Millers stole all three points (90+2).
As the dust begins to settle on the 2025-26 Isthmian Premier League campaign, we say thank you and goodbye to Ady Pennock. And Dartford will be back to take on the challenge once again next season.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Luther Williams, Michael Olarewaju (c), Joe Tennent, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Jacob Bland, Jeremiah Pinder, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Eddie Dsane.
SUBSTITUTES: George Whitefield, Sammie McLeod, Dan Carter, Rohan Vaughan, Evans Kouassi.
CRAY VALLEY PM: Prince Adegoke, Alfie Newby, Cem Tumkaya, Montel Agyemang, Chris Dickson, Sanchez Ming, Marvel Ekpiteta (c), Rowan Liburd, Emmanuel Adebiyi, Fumnaya Shomotun, Makise Evans.
SUBSTITUTES: Hassan Ibrahiym, Clement Asiedu, Jermaine Green, William Benedict, Bola Okewoye.
Chris Palmer