Dartford v Canvey Island

Report

Dartford registered a first home victory of the season, after a smart substitution and tweak in the formation during the second-half saw the points swing the way of the hosts.

As 819 supporters enjoyed a beautiful afternoon at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park, the two protagonists shut each other out in a rather scrappy first-half. In fact, the closest anybody came was when Ewan Sanchez’s 38th minute free-kick sailed straight into the arms of Dartford goalkeeper Matt Kerbey.

The free-kick was awarded after Samuel Okoye and Tobi Tinubu collided just outside the Dartford box. It wasn’t the first occasion the two came together either, as a more serious collision occurred just five minutes beforehand, which resulted in both players receiving treatment.

Despite Callum Jones, Olly Box, and Eddie Dsane getting into some promising positions, the visitors’ gameplan prevented any real goalscoring opportunities from occurring during an extremely tight and un-entertaining first-half.

The prospects of the game improving on the pitch in the second-half looked grim as well to be honest. That was until an Ady Pennock masterstroke changed the complexion of this fixture, as well as the outcome.

Midfielder Tyler Christian-Law was introduced for defender Mert Apat after 58 minutes, which saw the Darts change formation as well. And within five minutes, they edged ahead via an outstanding strike by the superb Sam Odaudu (62).

But things could have been different, had Elliott Ronto directed his header on target instead of the wrong side of Matt Kerbey’s upright back in the 48th minute. Yet with their gameplan now in tatters, Canvey Island tried to respond but offered very little to test the Dartford shot-stopper from then on.

In fact, despite the hosts pressing forward with pace at every opportunity, it was a defensive mistake that sealed the win for the Darts with eight minutes remaining… A wayward pass was intercepted by Tyler Christian-Law, and the substitute raced through to open his account for Dartford and seal the points (82).

As far as the remaining substitutions are concerned, Ady went on to swap Eddie Dsane with Ben Allen (84), Samuel Okoye with Dean Nayler (87), and Jeremiah Pinder with George Whitefield (90+4), as the hosts saw out the remainder of the game.

Sam Odaudu’s superb performance and goal… a certain contender for goal of the season… earned him the Man of The Match award for the second game running. And this one was definitely worth celebrating, as the Darts jump up to sixth in the Isthmian Premier League table.

TEAMS

DARTFORD: Matt Kerbey, Sam Odaudu, Luther Williams, Josh Hill (c), Mert Apat, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Jeremiah Pinder, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Eddie Dsane.
SUBSTITUTES: Jacob Marsden, George Whitefield, Dean Nayler, Ben Allen, Tyler Christian-Law.

CANVEY ISLAND: Bobby Mason, Matthew Yates, Tobi Tinubu, Elliott Ronto (c), Oliver Parson, Elliott Johnson, Kane Gilbert, Ewan Sanchez, Nick Dembele, Emmanuel Adebiyi, Finlay Dorrell.
SUBSTITUTES: Jamie Salmon, Coner Hubble, Marcus Marku, Michael Freitner, Harrison White-Law.