Dartford v Chelmsford City

Report

Dartford 1-2 Chelmsford Match Report

Joe Brophy

Dartford threw away a precious three points against Chelmsford at Princes Park in the National League South.

It’s been a miserable February thus far for the Darts as they suffer back to back losses after an impressive start to the year.

Ryan Hayes’ sensational first-half strike had put them on course to secure their spot at the top of the table.

However, two late goals from Kudus Oyenuga and Taylor Miles inspired a dramatic turnaround.

The result means Dartford will surrender top spot should Hampton and Richmond win their game in hand. They could also find themselves languishing in third, six points off top of Havant claim all nine from their games in hand.

The struggling visitors arrived at Princes Park on a lowly run of only one win in their past seven matches that saw them drop to eighth in the division.

As expected, Dartford begin the brighter of the two sides with both Hayes and Nathan Collier trying their luck from distance.

Chelmsford’s standout chance of the first half came after just nine minutes when Deren Ibrahim was forced into tipping Miles’ 20-yard free-kick onto the crossbar.

Dartford took control just after the half hour mark through a wonderful solo effort from Hayes.

Collecting the ball deep inside his own half, the winger burst forward before cutting inside and unleashing an arrowing effort into the top corner.

The Darts almost made it two shortly before half-time after Ronnie Vint fired a loose ball against the woodwork.

Danny Mills went close shortly after the restart but couldn’t get enough on Duane Ofori-Acheampong’s heavy cross to direct it on target.

In an effort to pull themselves back into the lead, Chelmsford rang the changes and Chris Dickson almost made an instant impact, but his cross was volleyed wide by Shaun Batt.

Alfie Pavey will be ruing the wasted opportunity to wrap up the points after he beat the offside trap but failed to beat keeper Jake Jessup.

Within two minutes, the away side were level. Mark Onyemah was harshly adjudged to have fouled substitute Oyenuga who duly stepped up to tuck home the equaliser.

In cruel circumstances Hayes soon turned from hero to villain as he needlessly gave away a Chelmsford corner deep into stoppage time.

What followed was a freak effort from Miles, as his direct hit from the corner floated over the head of Ibrahim and into the net to serve as the ultimate sucker punch for Dartford.

 

Dartford: Ibrahim, Harris, Onyemah, Bonner, Vint, Collier, Hayes, Bradbrook, Ofori-Acheampong (Pavey 78mins), Mills, Noble.
Subs not used: Murphy, Della-Verde, Pugh, Brown.

Chelmsford: Jessup, James, Braham-Barrett, Miles, Spillane, Omozusi, Giles, Church, Batt (Oyenuga 73mins), Davies (Dickson 58mins), Graham (Green 53mins).
Subs not used: Haines, Johnson.

Goalscorers:
Dartford: Ryan Hayes (33′).
Chelmsford City: Kudus Oyenuga (86′, pen), Taylor Miles (90+4′).

Yellow Cards:
Dartford: Elliot Bradbrook (30′), Ryan Hayes (85′).
Chelmsford City: Shaun Batt (21′), Anthony Church (30′), Craig Braham-Barrett (55′).

Attendance: 1,102.

Match Officials: Jack Packman, assisted by Craig Green and Simon Finnigan.