Upcoming MatchBillericay Town V Dartford/October 8, 2024

MATCH REPORT: Dartford v Truro

Andy Pugh scored twice as Dartford claimed three vital points to stay on course for the Vanarama National South play-offs.

Skipper Elliot Bradbrook, Luke Wanadio and subsitute Tom Murphy got the others as Darts scored five for the second time this season against the Cornishmen, to come through despite some dubious defending – undone at the far post for all three goals.

Pugh’s fellow front-man Duane Afori-Acheampong deservedly won the man-of the-match award for a fine display, including three assists.

Darts came back well having gone behind after only 13 minutes.

Deren Ibrahim, in his last game before joining up with Gibraltar, failed to deal with a cross at the far post, and Andrew Neal nipped in to score, despite Keaton Wood’s efforts to clear the ball off the line.

Tyler Harvey then headed wide soon afterwards, as the Cornishmen threatened again.

Darts needed some inspiration after that and Ofori Acheampong provided it on the half hour.

First he won the ball in a challenge with Truro skipper Jamie Richards on the by-line, before running to the corner and providing the perfect cross for Pugh to head home.

It got even better for Tony Burman’s side 11 minutes later.

Luke Wanadio’s cross was only cleared to skipper Elliot Bradbrook who let fly left footed from 25-yards to score inside Martin Rice’s left-hand post, as Darts led 2-1 at the break.

Neal got Truro’s second after 65 minutes – with another far post finish, but the scores were level for only two minutes.

DOA was the provider again with a cross which fell nicely for Wanadio to shoot home.

Richards made it 3-3 five minutes later, heading in another corner, before Darts boss Tony Burman made a double change – sending on Alfie Pavey and Lee Noble with five minutes left.

Darts got their fourth 60 seconds afterwards, Pugh tucking away another DOA assist, then the big man was only a whisker away from getting the fifth.

Murphy did that, having replaced Ryan Hayes – as the clock ticked into stoppage time, running through on a quick Darts break, and finishing past Martin Rice – with almost the last kick of the game.

Dartford: Ibrahim, Wood, Wynter, Bonner, Vint, Brown (Noble 84 mins), Hayes (Murphy 90 mins), Bradbrook, Ofori-Aheampong, Pugh, Wanadio (Pavey 84 mins).

Subs not used; Eweka, Coxall

Truro, Rice, Smith, Richards, Hartridge, Cooke (Adelsbury 83 mins, Gerring (Pugh 78 mins), Brett, Harvey (Afful 83 mins), Yetton, Knowles, Neal.

Subs; Allen, Thompson

Attendance: 936