MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 1 CRAY WANDERERS 1
The less said about the first-half of this local derby the better, as neither side were able to create an effort on target. Although, Rohan Vaughan did come close with a rather tame effort after twenty minutes.
The QPR loanee made a superb run after receiving a Henly throw, but he just couldn’t guide his effort beyond goalkeeper Harry Seadon.
A few minutes before that saw Callum Jones denied yet more decisions by an Isthmian Premier League referee, on another frustrating afternoon for the Dartford number seven.
Having been blatantly pulled down by former Dartford captain Tom Bonner in a clear and obvious foul, the referee Mr Nick Dunn awarded the free-kick in the Wands’ favour! And it wasn’t the first time this afternoon that Mr Dunn would be oblivious to the persistent fouls on the Dartford players.
The second forty-five saw the hosts start the brighter of the two sides, as both Sam Odaudu and Callum Jones came close to breaking the deadlock before the hour.
However the Wands were always a threat particularly via the lively Max Fiddes. He struck the crossbar with his 65th minute header, before Samuel Okoye cleared the danger off the line.
Fiddes was at it again seven minutes later, when his excellent run and cross was turned in by Jordy Mongoy to edge the visitors ahead (72).
Ady Pennock responded immediately by bringing on Dan Smith for Rohan Vaughan (73), before going on to use all his available substitutes this afternoon. Next up saw Dan Carter and Luther Williams come on for Eddie Dsane and Samuel Odaudu (77), before Michael Olarewaju replaced Dave Winfield (83) and Sammie McLeod left the field to be replaced by Jeremiah Pinder (83).
As we return to the action, we find the visitors gifted an opportunity to double their lead after Samuel Okoye had fouled Jordy Mongoy inside the Dartford box. Alex Hernandez took the spot-kick, but Jonny Henly got down to his left to make a fine save (76).
Fiddes was presented with a glorious opportunity in the 79th minute, after he pounced on a mistake in the Darts’ defence. However, finding himself one-on-one with Henly ended with the goalkeeper making another superb save to keep Dartford in the contest.
Then with just six minutes remaining, Joe Tennent popped up at the far post to send Dan Carter’s cross beyond Harry Seadon to earn Dartford a precious point.
The defender’s efforts earned him the Man of The Match award at the end of the game, as Denzelle Olopade came agonisingly close to stealing all three points for the hosts in the 90th minute.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly (c), Sam Odaudu, Dave Winfield, Joe Tennent, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Sammie McLeod, Rohan Vaughan, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Eddie Dsane.
SUBSTITUTES: Dan Smith, Luther Williams, Dan Carter, Michael Olarewaju, Jeremiah Pinder.
CRAY WANDERERS: Harry Seadon, Frankie Morgan, Harry Waldock, Remi Sutton, Tom Bonner (c), Jordy Mongoy, Frankie Raymond, Alex Hernandez, Ola Ogunwamide, Crossley Lema, Lateef Adaja.
SUBSTITUTES: Adrian Owiredu-Gyamera, Freddie Price, Quade Taylor, Max Fiddes, Tom Derry.
Chris Palmer