MATCH REPORT | CHICHESTER CITY 2 DARTFORD 2
Dartford’s excellent unbeaten run continued, as they eventually held on to secure another valuable point at Chichester City.
The Lillywhites were quick out of the blocks under the glow of the floodlights, forcing a couple of corners within seconds of the start. And only an excellent save by Jacob Marsden prevented the lively Ethan Prichard from putting Miles Rutherford’s team ahead after three minutes.
Yet despite their quick opening, the visitors soon settled down and were ahead just six minutes later. Olly Box was the player to score, after Denzelle Olopade’s neat pass had played the young starlet through to confidently fire beyond goalkeeper Kieran Magee (9).
Chichester responded via Mo Jammeh, who’s shot wrong-footed Marsden but clipped the upright instead (20), before Luther Williams’ timely challenge extinguished another attack from the hosts two minutes later.
The Darts looked equally as dangerous going forward though, and when Sam Odaudu’s teasing cross flew into the box, Ben Pashley could only watch as he inadvertently sent the ball beyond his own goalkeeper to give the visitors a two-goal cushion (26).
The hosts responded once again via Joe Clarke, who’s long-range pyledriver smacked the Dartford crossbar in the 38th minute, thus sending another warning to the Darts’ defence.
Ady Pennock’s side did have an opportunity to put the game to bed before the break when George Whitefield was fouled just outside the Lillywhites’ box. However, Sam Odaudu’s free-kick flew narrowly wide of Magee’s near post (45).
As was expected, Chichester were quick out of the blocks again as the second forty-five began, yet it was the visitors that should perhaps have scored the all-important third goal…
Olly Box was the danger initially, as he raced into the box looking to score his second of the evening only to see his effort fly agonisingly wide of the post (51). He was then set up perfectly by Samir Carruthers four minutes later, only for Ben Pashley make amends for his earlier own-goal by blocking the goal-bound effort on the line.
The hosts weren’t deterred though, and they soon gained a foothold on proceedings in a bid to get back into the game. And it would take something special to get the ball rolling for them, which came via Ethan Prichard in the 64th minute… a beautiful curling drive which flew into the top corner.
The visitors responded well, as Samir Carruthers and Olly Box combined only to see the latter’s effort hit the outside of Kieran Magee’s upright (69).
However, the Chichester comeback was completed when Isaac Bello levelled the score with twelve minutes still to play.
Ady Pennock responded by swapping Jeremiah Pinder with Tyler Christian-Law in what was the only substitution for the Darts this evening (82), but neither side could find the winning formula to get that fifth goal of the game.
And so the Darts left West Sussex with another point, which stretches their unbeaten league run to six games (seven in all competitions).
TEAMS
CHICHESTER CITY: Kieran Magee, Ryan Davidson (c), Isaac Bello, Joe Moore, Emmett Dunn, Ben Pashley, Lloyd Rowlatt, Joe Clarke, Jimmy Wild, Mo Jammeh, Ethan Prichard.
SUBSTITUTES: Jamie Horncastle, Curtis Da Costa, Finlay Chadwick, Oliver Munt, Rob Hutchings.
DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden, Sam Odaudu, Luther Williams, Josh Hill (c), George Whitefield, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Jeremiah Pinder, Samir Carruthers, Olly Box, Callum Jones.
SUBSTITUTES: Duane Ofori-Acheampong, Blu Husthwaite, Dean Nayler, Tyler Christian-Law, Gabe Campbell.
Chris Palmer
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