Upcoming MatchDartford V Dulwich Hamlet/December 14, 2024/Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park

MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 3 SEVENOAKS TOWN 2

Dartford progressed to the Semi-Finals of the Kent Senior Cup, after Academy Graduate Olly Box scored to set them on the way to victory over Sevenoaks Town.

However, Tony Burman’s team didn’t have it all their own way on a cold night under the lights. The visiting Isthmian South East outfit put up an excellent fight in front of the 163 supporters in attendance, to make life difficult for the hosts.

The Darts took advantage of this fixture to give some returning players much needed minutes. So, it was encouraging to see the likes of Tommy Block and Charlie Sheringham returning to the starting eleven, as well as youngster Olly Box.

After a relatively even start, it was the hosts who came close to opening the scoring first, after Sam Odaudu found George Alexander with a neat pass. However, goalkeeper Daniel Colmer was alert to deny the Dartford number 18 in the eighth minute.

The Oaks’ shot-stopper was picking the ball up from inside his own net two minutes later though, after Olly Box had put the Darts ahead with a delightful strike from the edge of the Sevenoaks box!

Box’s goal arrived straight after Kieron Cadogan had sent a cheeky lob from distance high over Tom Wray’s crossbar at the other end (9). Yet, the goal shortly after seemed to spark Sevenoaks into life, and they went on to dominate a lot of the ball for the remainder of the first-half.

A good attacking move saw Emmanuel Mensah rattle the Dartford crossbar with a fierce left-footed drive (14), as the visitors began to pass the ball well. However, opportunities were few and far between and only the offside flag prevented Dartford from retaking the lead via Charlie Sheringham following a swift counter-attack (34).

The Oaks were eventually rewarded for their efforts in the 44th minute when Matthew Attenborough-Warren equalised with a neat strike, which left Tom Wray with no chance of saving.

The second forty-five saw the Sevenoaks’ goal-scorer receive a yellow card from referee, Mr Steven Goldup, after a late challenge. Dartford skipper Luke Coulson stepped up to send the free-kick narrowly wide of Daniel Colmer’s upright (50), before Cadogan was guilty of missing a golden opportunity to put Sevenoaks ahead at the other end (54)!

The hosts were on top at this stage though, and only a big hand by Colmer prevented Sheringham from heading the Darts back ahead (59). However, the danger wasn’t over with and the hosts were soon rewarded for their second-half efforts…

Taylor Maloney’s effort ricocheted behind for a corner, which Luke Coulson sent into the box. Jack Smith’s strike was scrambled off the line, but the danger wasn’t cleared and Manny Adebowale was alert to smash the Darts ahead once again (60).

The visitors responded by replacing Kieron Cadogan with Daniel Carr (61), before going on to make a double substitution three minutes later… Emmanuel Mensah and Kayne Diedrick-Roberts making way for Dominic Morgan-Griffith and Tyrese Osbourne respectively.

Tony Burman, meanwhile, swapped George Alexander and Charlie Sheringham with Alex Wall and Jayden Boulton (64), before Maxwell Statham came on for Tommy Block five minutes later.

As we returned to the action on the pitch, Jack Smith came agonisingly close to adding a third for Dartford with a curling half-volley (70), before the Dartford pressure eventually did pay off.

With the hosts’ tails up, an attack on the left-flank ended up with a Sevenoaks defender inadvertently handling the ball inside the area. Mr Goldup awarded the spot-kick, which Luke Coulson duly converted to stretch his side’s lead to 3-1 (71).

However, the visitors didn’t give up and were eventually rewarded for their efforts in the 89th minute. And, it was Matthew Attenborough-Warren who scored his second goal of the night… a delightful right-footed drive into the top corner!

The Oaks threw everything at the Darts from then on, and only a superb point blank save by Tom Wray (90+1) ensured that the hosts went through and into the hat for the Kent Senior Cup Semi-Final draw.

TEAMS

DARTFORD: Tom Wray, Sam Odaudu, Tommy Block, Jack Smith, Luke Coulson (c), Paul Rooney, Manny Adebowale, George Alexander, Charlie Sheringham, Taylor Maloney, Olly Box.

SUBSTITUTES: Tyrell Miller-Rodney, Alex Wall, Maxwell Statham, Joash Nembhard, Jayden Boulton.

SEVENOAKS TOWN: Daniel Colmer, Jerald Abdagye, Kari Miller-Neave, Matthew Attenborough-Warren, Jakmal Howlett-Mundle, Corey Holder (c), Fumnaya Shomotun, Daniel Bennett, Kieron Cadogan, Emmanuel Mensah, Kayne Diedrick-Roberts.

SUBSTITUTES: Rian Bray, Andrew Norban, Dominic Morgan-Griffith, Daniel Carr, Tyrese Osbourne.

Match Photos Gallery

Chris Palmer