Margate vs Dartford

Report

Dartford fought back to earn a draw at Hartsdown Park, as Margate FC offered the usual tough opposition during pre-season.

The Darts raced into an early lead when Ben Allen got on the end of a deep cross into the Gate’s box. Goalkeeper, Reece Hobbs, managed to make the initial save, but Allen was alert to pounce on the rebound in the second minute.

However, the hosts hit back when James Bessey-Saldanha slotted home after Ben Greenhalgh’s crossed caused problems inside the Dartford box (9).

Callum Jones then saw his effort saved by Hobbs (17), before Greenhalgh smacked Jacob Marsden’s crossbar with 30-yard free-kick (26).

Reece Hobbs then pulled off a superb save to deny Ben Allen in the 61st minute, before Adrian Pennock swapped his starting eleven for a mixture of Academy players and trialists (62).

The hosts then edged ahead via Greenhalgh, who’s free-kick took a deflection and left Marsden with no chance (66), before Fyn Rutherford and Tyrone Sterling combined well, but failed to finish the visitors off (80).

The hosts were made to rue that miss six minutes later, when Trialist #20 smashed home the equaliser at the far post to ensure that the Darts returned home with a hard-fought draw.

TEAMS

MARGATE: Reece Hobbs, Harrison Hatfull, Trialist A, Harvey Brand, Harry Hudson (c), Jordan Ababio, Ibrahim Olutade, Ben Greenhalgh, Brandon Davey, Lewis Knight, James Bessey-Saldanha.
SUBSTITUTES: Tyrone Sterling, Lukas Franzen-Jones, Trialist B, Fyn Rutherford, Vinnie Bowman, Trialist C, Loul Hoxha.

DARTFORD: Jacob Marsden, Josh Hill (c), Luther Williams, George Whitefield, Denzelle Olopade, Tyler Christian-Law, Sam Odaudu, Dwight Pascal, Callum Jones, Olly Box, Ben Allen.
SUBSTITUTES: A mixture of Academy Players and Trialists.