Dartford v Potters Bar Town

Report

Dartford failed to capitalise on the weekend’s win in Eltham, as a well-organised Potters Bar Town condemned them to defeat in front of 965 supporters at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.

George Whitefield came close with a header from a corner in the 4th minute, as the Darts started brightly. However, soon afterwards there was very little to choose between the two sides throughout a rather scrappy first-half.

Max Mitchell’s Scholars were putting in an excellent display, as they bossed the midfield areas and prevented the hosts from getting any kind of passing rhythm going. In fact, the visitors actually created the best move of the half when Oreofe Bello raced through before firing wide of Matt Kerbey’s goal in the 34th minute.

Two minutes later saw The Scholars rewarded for their efforts, when the lively Stephen Cawley got on the end of Bello’s dangerous cross (36). The provider then almost doubled the visitors’ advantage late in the half, when his low cross flashed across the face of the Dartford goal (45)!

The second forty-five saw a much improved performance by Ady Pennock’s side, as they tried to get back into the game. And they should have been level within two minutes of the restart, when Callum Jones managed to breach the Potters Bar defence. With only Sebastian Stacey to beat, the Dartford striker saw his effort fly narrowly wide of the goalkeeper’s far post (47).

Sebastian Stacey then saved well from Olly Box (61), before Ady made his one and only substitution of the evening… Tyler Christian-Law making way for new signing Eddie Dsane (62). The 27-year-old striker had signed earlier in the day, having played for Kingstonian FC last season.

The visitors responded immediately by swapping Thomas Augoustidis with Ryan Heruel, before going on to swap Oreofe Bello with Reon Smith-Kouassi (79) and Stephen Cawley with Samrai Gebrai (86).

As we return to the action, debutante Dsane came close with a good effort in the 67th minute, before Josh Hill saw his effort superbly saved by Stacey (70)!

The Dartford skipper’s opportunity had come following a free-kick, which had been awarded for a terrible two-footed lunge from behind by Jamie Dicks. The Scholar was extremely fortunate to only see a yellow card thrown in his direction, as the Dartford faithful showed their displeasure at the referee’s decision…

The Potters Bar shot-stopper then denied Dsane a goal on his debut with another good save in the 83rd minute, as the visitors saw out the game to secure the victory.

Sam Odaudu’s efforts saw him awarded with the Man of The Match, but that’ll be of little consolation to Dartford’s number three. It’s still early days, so there’s no need to panic. Afterall, this is an entirely new team that Ady is building and the players need time to gel. Patience will be rewarded.

TEAMS

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

POTTERS BAR TOWN: Sebastian Stacey, Prosper Keto, Layne Eadie, Jamie Dicks, Rickie Hayles, Ronnie Henry (c), Oreofe Bello, Max Jessop, Stephen Cawley, Thomas Augoustidis, Calvin Ekpiteta.
SUBSTITUTES: Ryan Heruel, Samrai Gebrai, Ryan Hayes, Daniel Aldana Ortiz, Reon Smith-Kouassi.