HAMPTON & RICHMOND 0 DARTFORD 1
Dartford came away from Hampton and Richmond Borough with all three points, after a second-half Marcus Dinanga strike was enough to settle a tight game.
As 1,185 supporters arrived at The Beveree Stadium to celebrate Non-League Day, there wasn’t much to cheer about on the pitch during a rather cautious first forty-five.
The visitors did, however, have an opportunity as early as the second minute after being awarded a free-kick in a dangerous position. Shane Dunne decided to give the referee, Mr Isaac Searle a hard time over his decision and was subsequently booked. Jack Jebb took the set-piece, but Alan Julian collected the ball with ease.
The hosts responded with an effort of their own three minutes later, but Sam Deadfield’s 35-yard drive sailed high over Dan Wilks’ crossbar. Tyrell Miller-Rodney should have edged his side in front, but his ninth minute effort from an unmarked position flew wide of Wilks’ upright.
Dartford probed once more, this time with a delicious ball over-the-top towards Marcus Dinanga. But, the in-form striker couldn’t keep his 11th minute effort down. Five minutes later saw Jake Robinson rush onto a through-ball, only to be floored by Ruaridh Donaldson on the edge of the Hampton box. Mr Searle ignored the appeals though, much to the fury of the Dartford players and supporters.
The referee did get his card out a minute later though, after Imran Uche fouled Dartford debutante Samir Carruthers. Uche was shown a yellow card, as was Dartford’s captain Tom Bonner for giving his point of view a little too often.
This was followed by a period in which neither side seemed able to get a firm grip on proceedings, as neither were giving an inch. New boy, Samir Carruthers, was having a good game and showed his abilities as a versatile midfielder. His experience will surely become invaluable as the Darts continue to push for promotion. The same can be said of Olumide Durojaiye, who was on the Dartford substitutes bench. The experienced midfielder arrived at Dartford after having left Welling United, and would make an appearance later in the game.
Anyway, we return to the action in the 27th minute where the Beavers should consider themselves quite fortunate. A mix up in their defence left Jake Robinson free outside the area with an open goal staring back at him. Unfortunately, the striker just couldn’t convert the opportunity and the deadlock remained intact as we reached half-time.
The start of the second-half saw the hosts make a change in personnel, as David Fisher replaced Shane Dunne. Then Alan Julian was called into action almost immediately to thwart a Robinson effort from a one-on-one situation (46).
Hampton responded immediately and were awarded a corner. Kyron Farrell whipped the ball in, which found the head of Dean Inman. Thankfully, his effort just tapped the top of Wilks’ crossbar (47).
The moment of the game finally arrived as we reached the 61st minute. A delightful through ball from Carruthers found Robinson, and he squared a perfect ball to Marcus Dinanga. And from six-yards out, Dinanga couldn’t miss as he celebrated his fifth goal in a Dartford shirt.
From beginning the move for the opening goal, Carruthers then flew in with a late challenge, showing the other side of his game. He received a yellow card for his efforts, before leaving the field to be replaced by the other new signing, Olumide Durojaiye (67).
Steve King’s other changes included Ade Azeez replacing Jake Robinson (77) and Kalvin Kalala coming on for Danny Leonard (78). The latter player was the latest one to go into the referee’s book after his 69th minute foul. Meanwhile, the remaining changes for the hosts included Wassim Aouchria replacing Destiny Oladipo (66) and Iffy Allen came on for Tyrell Miller-Rodney (78).
The Darts finished the game the stronger of the two sides, but just couldn’t add to their score. Ade Azeez forced a good save out of Julian on 87 minutes, before a dangerous cross across the face of goal by Jack Jebb just missed Connor Essam late on!
The result sees Dartford end a three-game winless run (in all competitions) on the road, while remaining in touch with first and second positions in the National League South table.
TEAMS
HAMPTON & RICHMOND: Alan Julian, Lucas Ness, Ruaridh Donaldson, Dean Inman, Brandon Barzey, Sam Deadfield, Destiny Oladipo, Tyrell Miller-Rodney ©, Kyron Farrell, Imran Uche, Shane Dunne.
SUBSTITUTES: Wassim Aouchria, David Fisher, Jack McKnight, Zach Dronfield, Iffy Allen.
DARTFORD: Dan Wilks, Kory Roberts, Kristian Campbell, Samir Carruthers, Connor Essam, Tom Bonner ©, Danny Leonard, Kieran Murtagh, Jake Robinson, Marcus Dinanga, Jack Jebb.
SUBSTITUTES: Olumide Durojaiye, Ade Azeez, Jordan Greenidge, Kalvin Kalala, Ody Alfa.
By Chris Palmer