Dartford got their first win of the 2016/17 season away to a top of the table Weston Super-Mare with an impressive 2-1 win.
The starting Line up saw a previously injured Duane Ofori-Acheampong returning to the squad replacing the suspended Keaton Wood. Danny Harris started at right back.
The match started brightly with The Darts earning a corner after 30 seconds, and they consistently applied the pressure for the first 10 minutes. An early chance fell to Wanadio within the starting minutes of the game, who picked up the ball on the edge of the box, cut inside and his shot went straight to the keeper.
Weston did not trouble Dartford in the first 25 minutes but then found themselves one on one with Ibrahim who came out quickly to close the attacker down. Dartford kept applying the pressure and Ellis Brown crossed from the right wing to find Ofori – Acheampong who was at the near post, who tried to back heel it into the net but the ball went wide. The same duo struck again towards the end of the first half, with another attempt on goal from Ofori-Acheampong going across with no one managing to get on the end of the ball and score.
Both teams were unchanged for the start of the second half, and Weston had the first chance with a free kick on the edge of the box. The Freekick forced Ibrahim into an early save, which rebounded out towards the Weston attacker who took the opportunity to take a shot also which again was saved by Ibrahim to keep the score at 0-0.
After 50 minutes Luke Wanadio picked the ball up on the left wing, and travelled down the wing, cut inside and curled the ball into the top hand corner to give Dartford the lead.
Dartford continued pushing in search of their second goal, with some good runs from Ofori – Acheampong which unfortunately came to nothing as there wasn’t anyone quick enough to convert.
Weston levelled the score on 75 minutes when a penalty was awarded, after one of their players went up for a header which saw the Referee reprimand Alex Brown for his actions, but luckily a yellow card wasn’t given. The penalty was successfully scored to give Weston their equaliser.
Dartford got straight back into the game and 7 minutes later another great run by Ofori-Acheampong proved successful, After he cut inside then picked out Ryan Hayes in the middle who slotted home.
Weston tried their very best to get another equaliser and came very close when a shot from the right hand side of the box skimmed the cross bar and went out of play.
The Darts fought hard to the very end and held on for a great away win.
Tony Burman “Once again I think the players have performed very well, at half time we felt we needed to up the tempo of the game which I think we did and on the counter attack Luke has hit a great shot into the top corner to give us a deserved lead. I thought the penalty decision was very harsh and for the players to come back and get all 3 points it was a credit to them’
Dartford: Ibrahim, Harris, Gardiner, Bonner, Wynter, E.Brown, A. Brown, Noble, Wanadio, Hayes, Ofori – Acheampong.
Subs: Francis, Dembele, Seixas, Habte, Coxall.
Weston: Purnell, Simpson, Williams, Mullings, Pope, Fortune, Mawford, Richards, Mcleenan, Grubb, Kingston
Subs: Barnes, Ingram, McCoulsky, McClennan, Wring
ATTENDANCE: 421