CHIPPENHAM TOWN 4 DARTFORD 2
Dartford fell to a second successive defeat on the road, as Chippenham Town scored four goals at The Thornbury Surface Stadium, Wiltshire in a game that saw Kieran Murtagh see red.
The Darts started the game well and edged themselves ahead after just seven minutes. A terrific attack was awarded with a corner, which Jack Jebb whipped into the Bluebirds’ box. Captain Tom Bonner headed the ball down perfectly for Jordan Greenidge to latch onto and score from close range.
The Darts continued to press forward, as they immediately searched to double their advantage, and came close once again in the 12th minute after Jordan Wynter got the better of Danny Greenslade. Unfortunately, his low cross was just out of reach of the incoming Greenidge on this occasion.
However, the hosts grew back into the game from then on and became more threatening as the Darts tried to soak up the pressure. A foul in the 29th minute saw referee Mr Matthew Norton issue Kieran Murtagh with a yellow card, after the midfielder was adjudged to have been a little late with his challenge. Then four minutes later saw the Bluebirds equalise via the lively Jordan Young.
Things on the pitch were pretty even for the remainder of the half. However, that would drastically change with two minutes remaining. Murtagh tackled Joe Hanks unfairly and Mr Norton gave the Dartford midfielder his marching orders! Advantage Chippenham.
It was as you were during the opening exchanges of the second forty-five, as both sides cancelled each other out. The Darts were the first to make alterations in personnel, as Danny Leonard and Kory Roberts replaced Ody Alfa and Jordan Wynter (59), before Ade Azeez came on for Jordan Greenidge on 64 minutes.
Four minutes later saw the visitors concede a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the box, which Jordan Young scored from in spectacular fashion. The hosts then stretched their lead to 3-1 after Alefe Santos D’Abadia finished from close range on 77 minutes.
The Darts responded immediately to pull the score back to 3-2, as Ade Azeez netted his first goal since the beginning of November, which ironically came in the reverse fixture between these two sides.
Both sides were going for it by this point, which created far too much space in the midfield. Unfortunately, with a man advantage, the Bluebirds always looked the more likely to score again. They came close via Callum Gunner on 79 minutes, when his excellent long-range drive forced Dan Wilks into a marvellous save. Yet, a minute later Joe Hanks was more successful as he managed to beat the Dartford number one with a low drive.
Dartford tried to get back into the game again via Ade Azeez and Jack Jebb, but the hosts managed to see out the game to condemn the visitors to a sixth defeat of the season.
TEAMS
CHIPPENHAM TOWN: Will Henry, Danny Greenslade, Spencer Hamilton, Kieran Parselle ©, Alefe D’Abadia, Callum Gunner, Jordan Young, Alex Bray, Joe Hanks, Mo Dabre, Luke Russe.
SUBSTITUTES: Dan Griffiths, Harrison Lea, Noah Coppin, Caine Bradbury, Oluwasegun Lawal.
DARTFORD: Dan Wilks, Jordan Wynter, Connor Essam, Tom Bonner ©, Jayden Sweeney, Jack Jebb, Kieran Murtagh, Kalvin Kalala, George Porter, Ody Alfa, Jordan Greenidge.
SUBSTITUTES: Kory Roberts, Che Krabbendam, Tyrique Hyde, Danny Leonard, Ade Azeez.
By Chris Palmer