This fixture started brightly on a mild October afternoon, as Brandon Adams forced Jonny Henly into an early save following good work by Harry Brant as early as the third minute.

The Darts responded via Jacob Bland, who’s low strike was deflected behind for a corner (6), before Brandon Adams did indeed edge the visitors ahead at the other end three minutes later.

The goal, together with some questionable decisions by referee Mr Steven Goldup, lit a fire in the hosts who equalised within five minutes of the Scholars’ goal.

And it was Mr Goldup who was at the centre of the attention once again, as he awarded Dartford a penalty after Eddie Dsane was floored inside the Potters Bar Town box. Up stepped Dsane to fire beyond the hapless Frederick Burbidge to level the score (14).

Four minutes later saw Dartford turn the game around, after Samir Carruthers’ delightful chip released Callum Jones who duly ran into the Scholars’ box, before squaring the ball across the area for Dsane to tap home his second of the afternoon, and seventh goal of the season (18).

Potters Bar responded, but were thwarted by an excellent Joe Tennent block (22), before Brandon Adams fired high over the crossbar after an initial shot was blocked (35).

Yet the hosts were equally as dangerous when going forward and, when a free-kick was awarded near the Scholars’ box, the Darts made them pay…

Samir Carruthers’ free-kick was met by the head of skipper Michael Olarewaju, which Frederick Burbidge managed to punch away but not clear… and there was Joe Tennent to fire home a low drive to give the hosts breathing space at the break (43).

The points were then sealed soon after the restart, when Eddie Dsane was on hand to fire home his third and Dartford’s fourth of the afternoon (47).

Ten minutes later saw Ady Pennock make his first substitution of the afternoon, with Dan Carter coming on for Eddie Dsane (57). That was soon followed by Samir Carruthers making way for Dan Smith (59), before Richie Atkins came on for Callum Jones deep into stoppage time (90+4).

Returning to the action, we find the visitors trying to shut down their hosts more vigorously in an attempt to limit any further damage. And they succeeded, as the Darts controlled things from their side as well in order to not concede anymore goals themselves.

Damaray Anyadike failed to take advantage of a glorious opportunity for Potters Bar Town following a miscommunication in the Dartford defence (63), before Frederick Burbidge pulled off a great save to prevent Callum Jones from scoring deep into stoppage time at the other end (90+3).

Eddie Dsane’s performance earned him a well-deserved Man of The Match award, as the result sees the Darts climb to sixth in the Isthmian Premier League table.

DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Sam Smith, Michael Olarewaju (c), Joe Tennent, Samuel Okoye, Jacob Bland, Jeremiah Pinder, Samir Carruthers, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Eddie Dsane.
SUBSTITUTES: Dan Smith, Carter Sullivan, Ben Frempah, Dan Carter, Richie Atkins.

POTTERS BAR TOWN: Frederick Burbidge, Dylan Adjei-Hersey, Joseph Payne, Ben Smith, Essa Janneh, Ronnie Henry, Giuseppelo Re (c), Brandon Adams, Harry Brant, Damaray Anyadike, Joshua Hutchinson.
SUBSTITUTES: Bradley Smith, William Oduwa, Nana Kyei, Leigh Rose, Jeremiah Gyebi.

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Chris Palmer