This final pre-season friendly exploded into life at the sound of the referee’s whistle, with both sides creating opportunities. One of which came the Darts’ way following a foul on Olly Box on the edge of the Ebbsfleet area after just four minutes. It wouldn’t be the last late lunge/foul by a United player this afternoon, as they seemingly didn’t get the “friendly” memo before kick-off…!
Samir Carruthers’ delightful free-kick was headed back across the box by Ben Frempah, only to see goalkeeper Mark Cousins thwart Denzelle Olopade with a fine save on the line.
The visitors followed that up with an opportunity of their own two minutes later, which saw Toby Edser reach the ball from a corner first. He then sent the ball back into the box, whereby former Dart Ronny Nelson headed the visitors ahead (5).
Jonny Henly then saved Lennon Peake’s long-range drive (8), before Aaron Cosgrave fired wide from close-range a minute later.
Dartford responded well and thought they’d drawn level in thirteenth minute, only to see Michael Olarewaju’s goal chalked off for a foul on Cousins.
A superb save by the Ebbsfleet shot-stopper prevented Samir Carruthers’ lovely free-kick from flying into the top corner, following a foul on Olly Box (34), before the goalkeeper was at it at again two minutes later…
Max Ehmer blatantly shoved (you’ve guessed it!) Olly Box in the back, leaving Mr Ben McDonald with no option but to award the hosts a spot-kick. Carruthers stepped up, but Cousins dived low to keep the ball out!
The goalkeeper then stepped up to save George Whitefield’s header (39), before Carruthers did indeed find the equaliser via a deflected effort, which left Cousins with no chance (44).
The second forty-five began with the same level of tempo from both sides, yet it was the visitors who edged ahead once again. Another corner eventually fell to Kwesi Appiah, who found substitute Maxx Manktelow (on for Mustapha Olagunji [40]) with a neat pass which was tucked home (54).
Ady Pennock made his first change in personnel by replacing the limping Samir Carruthers with Jeremiah Pinder after 58 minutes, before Denzelle Olopade came close to levelling the score two minutes later.
Only a last-ditch block by Max Ehmer prevented Callum Jones from equalising, after terrific work by the excellent George Whitefield and Jeremiah Pinder (66), before Eddie Dsane entered proceedings to replace Olopade (77).
And two minutes later saw the hosts find the equaliser, following another Ebbsfleet foul on the far side of the pitch. Sam Odaudu sent in a wonderful free-kick, which found the head of Callum Jones, who wasn’t going to miss (79)!
The visitors did create further opportunities during the second-half as well, the best of which fell to Maxx Manktelow who rattled the Dartford crossbar with a lovely long-range drive in the 62nd minute. Ben Chapman followed that up with a curling effort, which flew narrowly wide of Jonny Henly’s upright (65), before Lennon Peake was replaced by George Moncur late on (83).
Luther Williams came on to replace Sam Odaudu with just four minutes remaining, as the Darts’ final pre-season fixture finished all square.
George Whitefield’s excellent performance earned him a deserved Man of The Match award, in what was a thoroughly entertaining local derby.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Sam Odaudu, Sam Smith, Michael Olarewaju (c), Ben Frempah, George Whitefield, Denzelle Olopade, Ikechi Eze, Samir Carruthers, Olly Box, Callum Jones.
SUBSTITUTES: Trialist #13, Eddie Dsane, Luther Williams, Alby O’Mara-Knapp, Richie Atkins, Jeremiah Pinder, Gabe Campbell, Hugo Taylor.
EBBSFLEET UNITED: Mark Cousins, Jake Hessenthaler, Max Ehmer (c), Josh Passley, Toby Edser, Aaron Cosgrave, Kwesi Appiah, Ronny Nelson, Lennon Peake, Ben Chapman, Mustapha Olagunji.
SUBSTITUTES: Gio Bellagambi, Tom Dallinson, George Moncur, Dominic Samuel, Gene Kennedy, Finlay Barnes, Maxx Manktelow, Elijah Anthony.
Chris Palmer
