MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 0 GILLINGHAM 2
Dartford’s pre-season preparations continued with the visit of EFL League Two outfit Gillingham on an overcast afternoon at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.
Barely had the 1,037 supporters gotten comfortable, when Gareth Ainsworth’s men took a 4th-minute lead via Joe Gbode following good work by Amarni Little.
The crossbar then prevented Conor Masterson from heading in a second for the visitors (9), before Dartford skipper Michael Olarewaju’s superb block stopped Gbode from scoring his second after 18 minutes.
However, the Gillingham man did indeed get that second goal in the 35th minute, where he got to a long-ball first before sending a deflected effort beyond Jonny Henly.
Ady Pennock’s side did respond via Ikechi Eze, but he couldn’t keep his effort down (43), before Henly made a great save to keep out Seb Palmer-Holden’s effort on the stroke of half-time.
If goal-scoring opportunities were few in the first-half, then they’d prove to be even fewer in the second forty-five.
With a majority of play taking place in the middle of the park, the hard-working Darts restricted their opponents to mainly long-range efforts. The first of which came after 71 minutes, with Ethan Coleman trying his luck from 25-yards. The effort was put behind for a corner, which the Dartford defence dealt with confidently.
Joe Gbode found himself with an opportunity to net a hat-trick, only to send his 82nd minute strike the wrong side of Jonny Henly’s upright.
Callum Jones had the best second-half effort for the hosts after good work by Ikechi Eze, but his strike was well-saved by Glenn Morris (58).
As is the norm during pre-season, Ady Pennock made use of all his available substitutions. The first occurred on 68 minutes, when Jeremiah Pinder came on to replace Sammie McLeod who had picked up a knock.
Such was McLeod’s performance this afternoon, that he was awarded with the Man of The Match for his efforts.
Olly Box then came on for Samir Carruthers (73), before the remaining substitutes entered the field to see out the final ten minutes of yet another good warm-up against full-time opposition.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Sam Odaudu, Michael Olarewaju (c), Ben Frempah, George Whitefield, Denzelle Olopade, Sammie McLeod, Samir Carruthers, Ikechi Eze, Callum Jones, Eddie Dsane.
SUBSTITUTES: Trialist #13, Trialist #16, Trialist #20, Luther Williams, Olly Box, Alby O’Mara-Knapp, Richie Atkins, Jeremiah Pinder, Gabe Campbell, Hugo Taylor.
GILLINGHAM: Glenn Morris, Max Clark, Conor Masterson, Amarni Little (c), Jonny Williams, Seb Palmer-Holden, Robbie McKenzie, Joe Gbode, Shad Ogie, Bradley Dack, Sam Gale.
SUBSTITUTES: Jake Turner, Andy Smith, Ethan Coleman, Josh Andrews, Marcus Wyllie, Elliott Nevitt.
Chris Palmer
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