MATCH REPORT | CHESHUNT 3 DARTFORD 0
Dartford’s twenty-one game unbeaten run came to an end in Hertfordshire, after Cheshunt took their chances to take the three points in front of 556 supporters.
The first-half inside the Cheshunt Stadium was a rather subdued affair, with very few clear-cut opportunities created by either side.
The visitors did start brightly initially and dominated the ball for long periods, but with very little offered in the final third. The closest they came to taking the lead was via Denzelle Olopade’s sweet volley, which was excellently saved by Preston Edwards (10).
Sam Granville blocked Samir Carruthers’ 32nd minute free-kick after Sam Odaudu had been fouled, before Josh Hill fired across the face of the Cheshunt goal from a tight angle (39).
Having offered little, but been defensively tight, the longer the half progressed, the more the Ambers grew into the game. And when the Darts’ defence was unable to deal with a deep cross into the box, Donell Thomas was on hand to turn delightfully before firing the hosts in front deep into stoppage time (45+3).
Dartford responded straight after the restart via Callum Jones’ cheeky lob over Preston Edwards, but the ball was cleared off the line at the very last second (48)!
The timely intervention proved to be vital because, the Ambers went on to double their advantage ten minutes later. The in-form Kenny Coker was the player to score the goal (58), which left Ady Pennock’s side with a mountain to climb.
The Dartford boss responded immediately with a triple change in personnel. Josh Hill, Samir Carruthers, and Olly Box all made way for George Whitefield, Louis Dunne, and Eddie Dsane (59). Those changes would be followed by Jeremiah Pinder coming on for Luther Williams (71), before Samuel Okoye made way for Tyler Christian-Law (73).
As we return to the action, we find the Darts trying desperately to create an opening to get back into the contest, only for a hard-working Cheshunt defence doing all it can to nullify the visitors’ attack.
The result was all but confirmed in the 70th minute, when referee Mr Neil Morrison awarded the Ambers a penalty, which Vas Vasiliou despatched.
The visitors tried to respond, but their efforts were in vain as Cheshunt held firm to pull themselves further clear of the drop zone and end Dartford’s unbeaten run of form.
Josh Hill and Co will dust themselves down and go again next weekend, as the Isthmian Premier League title race remains wide open.
TEAMS
CHESHUNT: Preston Edwards, Lordon Akolbire, Bradley Roberts, Jack Thomas (c), Dequane Wilson Braithwaite, Raul Da Silva, Vas Vasiliou, Sam Granville, Kenny Coker, Jack Munns, Donell Thomas.
SUBSTITUTES: Darion Furlong, Rob Hall, Christian Scott, Jeremy Bisau, Uko Oji.
DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden, Sam Odaudu, Luther Williams, Michael Olarewaju, Josh Hill (c), Samuel Okoye, Hayden Bullas, Denzelle Olopade, Samir Carruthers, Olly Box, Callum Jones.
SUBSTITUTES: George Whitefield, Tyler Christian-Law, Eddie Dsane, Louis Dunne, Jeremiah Pinder.
Chris Palmer
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