Chatham Town v Dartford: Match Report

This fierce Kent derby had even more at stake today, as third in the table played fourth, with the Darts knowing a win would help them gain ground on their rivals in the play-off places while a loss would widen the gap.

The Darts started the better team and wasted no time in taking control of the contest. Just three minutes in, Dan Carter delivered a sublime cross into the box, with Nelson Eze getting a touch before Joe Tennent reacted quickest to prod the ball over the line and give Dartford an early lead.

The visitors doubled their advantage five minutes later. Callum Jones’ dangerous delivery from the right found centre-back George Whitefield, who produced an outstanding finish to fire the ball into the net and make it 2–0.

Dartford continued to look solid and composed, with Whitefield again playing a key role on 25 minutes, making an important block to deny Chatham and preserve the two-goal cushion.

Chatham then had a good spell of possession as they tried to get back into the match before the break. However, the Darts’ defence held strong and Henly’s  goal was rarely threatened.

Darts had a spell themselves towards the end of the half, with Luther Williams nearly creating another opening on 41 minutes after a powerful run from deep, while Sam Okoye went close in first-half stoppage time, firing wide when well placed.

The hosts came out with renewed intent after the interval, with Darts defending well.

Olly Box then tested the goalkeeper with a driven free kick on 52 minutes, before Chatham’s Kofi Anokye-Boadi fired over from a promising position shortly after.

Chatham pulled a goal back on 58 minutes, with Sam Sene-Richardson running through the middle and placing the ball well into the bottom corner and setting up a tense final half-hour.

Dartford responded with a change, as Pennock introduced Sam Odaudu for Nelson Eze (60) as they looked to gain back momentum. Joe Tennent was denied a second goal when he couldn’t quite connect with Dan Carter’s inviting cross. Further substitutions followed, as Bland and Carter made way for Pinder and Carruthers.

The game opened up late on, with both sides creating half-chances. Callum Jones thought he had restored Dartford’s two-goal advantage, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Despite late pressure, a few chances and seven minutes of added time, the Darts remained resolute to see out the victory.

The final whistle went and it was a win on the road against their play-off rivals. A tough match, but one where Dartford were the more clinical in front of goal and defended well the other end. An assured away performance and an important three points.