MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 1 BILLERICAY TOWN 1
With 1,217 supporters adding to a terrific atmosphere on a hot August night, both sets of players left nothing in reserve out on the pitch in this fiery Isthmian Premier League clash.
The opening exchanges served up a close encounter, with Jeremiah Pinder going close for the hosts (12) and Jack Evans doing the same at the other end with his free-kick (17).
However, the Darts began to purr after twenty minutes, and should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute when both Callum Jones and Luther Williams saw their efforts blocked during a flurry of activity inside the Ricay box.
The hosts did indeed take the lead sixty seconds later, after Olly Box fired beyond Sam Donkin to the sounds of rapturous applause (24).
The young starlet came close to netting a second (39), before Donkin pulled off an excellent save to prevent Jones from doubling Dartford’s advantage with five minutes of the half remaining.
Seemingly unhappy with his side’s first-half display, Billericay boss Gary McCann immediately made three substitutions at the start of the second forty-five. Troy Howard, Jack Evans, and Tyrese Owen all made way for Femi Akinwande, Tyrell Miller-Rodney, and Liam Nash (46), and it was a move that paid dividends for the visitors.
Having been threatening to score a second before the break, the Darts now found themselves under the cosh somewhat, as the visitors pushed further forward in search of an equaliser.
And it eventually arrived on the hour via Liam Nash, who took advantage of Frankie Merrifield’s pass to fire beyond goalkeeper (and captain for the night) Jonny Henly (60).
As the hosts continued to battle hard, Ady Pennock freshened things up by bringing on Samir Carruthers and Ikechi Eze for the excellent duo of Olly Box and Dan Smith after 73 minutes. A decision which helped the team deal with the visitors’ midfield unit.
However, Nash came close with a free-kick which forced Henly into a fine save, before Luther Williams cleared the danger (80). The Billericay substitute was at it again three minutes later, forcing Henly into another good save, before Elliott Long missed a glorious opportunity to snatch all three points deep into stoppage time (90+2).
The Dartford defence of Sam Odaudu, Sam Smith, Ben Frempah, George Whitefield, and Luther Williams put on a superb performance on this hot night, and they were accompanied by teammates who gave everything.
However, it was Sam Smith who’s performance earned him a deserved Man of The Match award on his home debut for the Darts, as Ady Pennock’s side got that first point on the board.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly (c), Sam Odaudu, Sam Smith, Ben Frempah, George Whitefield, Luther Williams, Denzelle Olopade, Jeremiah Pinder, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Dan Smith.
SUBSTITUTES: Samir Carruthers, Eddie Dsane, Hugo Taylor, Ikechi Eze, Gabe Campbell.
BILLERICAY TOWN: Sam Donkin, Jay Porter, Matthew Johnson (c), Ryan Scott, Ryan Blackman, Frankie Merrifield, Elliott Long, Ike Orji, Jack Evans, Owen Tyrese, Troy Howard.
SUBSTITUTES: Tommy Davis, Liam Nash, Femi Akinwande, Tyrell Miller-Rodney, Charlie Panton.
Chris Palmer