MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 2 AVELEY 0
This was a feisty encounter at Princes Park, as the Darts frustrated an overly aggressive Millers side who saw Harry Critchley dismissed in the second-half.
Despite the visitors starting brightly, it was the hosts that broke the deadlock in the tenth minute, when Denzelle Olopade’s ferocious strike from the edge of the box left Rylee Mitchell with no chance.
The Darts came close to doubling their advantage via Samir Carruthers (17) and Dan Smith (21), before the former fired agonisingly wide following a lovely move involving Olly Box (24).
The visitors responded with a lovely move of their own, which involved Ryan Charles, Toby Aromolaran (who’d had to come on to replace the stricken Louie Kudiabor), and Ollie Peters. However, the latter’s effort was excellently blocked by George Whitefield (34).
George Saunders forced Jonny Henly into a routine save after the goalkeeper had made a rare error, but it was the hosts that led at the break (43).
The restart saw Brett Munyard’s outfit start brightly, as Ryan Charles saw an early effort blocked (48), before skipper Ryan Henshaw smacked the crossbar with a header (50).
Having weathered the storm, the Darts were soon offered an opportunity following Harry Haysom’s poor challenge on Whitefield. Carruthers’ free-kick was saved by Rylee Mitchell (58), before Aveley missed the target at the other end.
Ady Pennock was forced to introduce Dan Carter after Samir Carruthers was forced off the pitch after being on the receiving end of a poor Aveley challenge (71). The Dartford boss would go on to use all his available substitutes this afternoon. Eddie Dsane and Sammie McLeod came on for Dan Smith and Jacob Bland respectively (78), before Michael Olarewaju replaced Olly Box (87) and Samuel Okoye made way for Luther Williams (90+7).
As we return to the action, yet another poor challenge by Aveley had serious consequences for the visitors… Harry Critchley was the villain and was shown a straight red card following a horrible challenge on Samuel Okoye with fifteen minutes left to play.
And five minutes later saw the superb Joe Tennent rise to send a thumping header beyond Mitchell to deservedly double Dartford’s lead (80).
Substitutes Dan Carter and Eddie Dsane had opportunities to add to the scoreline in what was a fine performance by the hosts, but the visitors managed to hold on to keep the damage at a minimum.
Callum Jones’ excellent performance earned him the Man of The Match award, as the Darts closed the gap to today’s opponents to a single point to remain in the play-off places in the Isthmian Premier League table.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly (c), Sam Odaudu, George Whitefield, Joe Tennent, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Jacob Bland, Samir Carruthers, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Dan Smith.
SUBSTITUTES: Eddie Dsane, Luther Williams, Sammie McLeod, Dan Carter, Michael Olarewaju.
AVELEY: Rylee Mitchell, Harry Critchley, Harry Haysom, Jayden Gipson, George Saunders, Ollie Peters, Ryan Charles, Chris Harris, Matt Johnson, Louie Kudiabor, Ryan Henshaw (c).
SUBSTITUTES: Tobi Tinubu, Jesse Nwabueze, Anthony Church, Louis Reynolds, Toby Aromolaran.
Chris Palmer