Dartford V Horsham

Report

George Whitefield and Eddie Dsane scored within two minutes of each other, as Dartford left it late to come from behind and complete the double over Horsham on a beautiful afternoon at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.

With both sides on good runs of form, this fixture had all the necessary ingredients for a top three clash. And that’s exactly what the 1,576 supporters in attendance got… albeit in a game of two halves.

Dom Di Paola’s Hornets were the better of the two sides during the first-half. The visitors arrived off the back of five consecutive wins, and looked confident on the ball, especially in the final third.

They were rewarded for the efforts in the 24th minute, when Jake Elliott met Harvey Sparks’ free-kick to put his side ahead. One should have become two when the ever-young Chris Dickson played Ola Ogunwamide through after 27 minutes. But Jacob Marsden pulled off an excellent save, before Reece Myles-Meekums hit the crossbar with his follow-up.

Having been under the cosh for long periods, Ady Pennock’s Dartford were offered a way back into the game when Sam Odaudu was brought down inside the box. However, goalkeeper Lewis Carey saved well to keep out Callum Jones’ spot-kick (29).

The start of the second forty-five saw the hosts come out on the front-foot, which saw Josh Hill get to Samuel Okoye’s cross first, but the Skipper could only watch as his effort failed to trouble Carey (47).

As they pushed forward though, the hosts were always open to the possible counter-attack. And, when Jake Elliott drove the visitors forward, it took the excellent George Whitefield to intervene with a fine challenge (51).

Ady Pennock made the first move to freshen up his side after 58 minutes, when he introduced Samir Carruthers and Jeremiah Pinder for Hayden Bullas and Louis Dunne. Nine minutes later saw Eddie Dsane replace Olly Box in what would be the Dartford boss’ last throw of the dice.

In the opposite dugout meanwhile, Dom Di Paola swapped Ola Ogunwamide with Lee Harding (71), Chris Dickson with Shamir Fenelon (77), Reece Myles-Meekums with Lucas Rodriguez (84), before Daniel Ajakaiye came on to replace Danny Barker (90).

As we return to the action, we arrive at the moments when Denzelle Olopade and George Whitefield had opportunities in quick succession to equalise, before Olly Box’s volley was blocked by Jack Strange (63).

Chris Dickson saw a fierce drive parried onto the crossbar by Jacob Marsden (72), before the goalkeeper made another great save to thwart Myles-Meekums (76).

Dartford, who’d lost just once in 22 league games, finally got rewarded for all their efforts when George Whitefield got on the end of Odaudu’s ball to fire in the equaliser with just three minutes remaining.

Two minutes later saw Princes Park erupt with pandemonium, as Samir Carruthers sent a set-piece into the Horsham box, and Eddie Dsane poked home the winning goal (89) to ensure the Darts remained unbeaten at home since October.

George Whitefield’s superb performance at both ends of the pitch earned him a deserved Man of The Match award, as the Darts remain a point behind league leaders Billericay Town, while stretching their lead over today’s opponents in third place to four points.

TEAMS

DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden, Sam Odaudu, Josh Hill (c), Michael Olarewaju, George Whitefield, Samuel Okoye, Hayden Bullas, Denzelle Olopade, Louis Dunne, Olly Box, Callum Jones.
SUBSTITUTES: Samir Carruthers, Luther Williams, Tyler Christian-Law, Eddie Dsane, Jeremiah Pinder.

HORSHAM: Lewis Carey, Jake Elliott, Harvey Sparks, Danny Barker, Isaac Philpot, Jack Strange, James Hammond (c), Olajuwon Ogunwamide, Joel Daly, Reece Myles-Meekums, Chris Dickson.
SUBSTITUTES: Shamir Fenelon, Daniel Ajakaiye, Montel Agyemang, Lucas Rodriguez, Lee Harding.