Upcoming MatchChelmsford City v Dartford/March 29, 2024/Melbourne Stadium

MATCH REPORT – Dartford draw at Hayes and Yeading

Dartford recalled Ryan Hayes for this away game at Hayes and Yeading. The darts were kicking down the slope in the first half and started the game brightly which produced a number of corners. Hayes and Yeading playing a 4,1,4,1 formation were getting the ball forward quickly and breaking in numbers which was causing a few problems to the darts defence.

Halfway through the first half an opportunity for Tom Bradbrook, where he had a shot which went past the goalkeeper only to be cleared off the line by a Hayes and Yeading defender, from this opportunity the home team broke away and forced a save from Deren from a deflected shot which he could not hold which fell to their striker who put it home, very much against the run of play. Within 5 minutes of this a similar attack by the home team led to a shot on goal being blocked by our defence only to fall once again to their striker who slotted it home to make it 2-0.

Darts were forced into making a change due to Ronnie Vint coming off injured, Tony Burman put Harris at right back and Tom Gardiner to centre half with Kaka coming on at left midfield.

Although the game looked over at this stage the darts forced themselves back into the game with Tom Bradbrook converting from close range to make it 2-1. This spurred the darts on and 10 minutes late the darts were level after a great cross by Ryan Hayes was headed in by Elliott Bradbrook it was now 2-2 going into half time.

The second half with the darts going up the slope and against the wind, the team managed to create but failed to convert some half chances. With Ryan Hayes coming closest by hitting the bar from a free kick.The introduction of the greatly missed Lee Noble with 15 minutes to go was a welcome site for Club Officials and fans alike.

Dartford had a scare in injury time with the home team hitting the post from close range but managed to hold on for a well deserved point away from home against an in form team.

Tony Burman ” In all fairness to the players they did not do a lot wrong in the first half but found ourselves 2-0 down when we had the majority of the game, Once again the players deserve a lot of credit for clawing themselves back on level terms just before half time. I felt we would go on and win the game in the second half but it was not to be, but we came away with a well earned point against a team who had some great results recently”

DFC TEAM NEWS: Ibrahim (GK), Gardiner, Onyemah, Vint (25), McNaughton, Wynter, Hayes, E Bradbrook (C), Pugh, T Bradbrook (78) , Harris

DFC SUBS: Noble (78), Francis, Simmons, Sykes, Dembele (25)