Midfielder Ikechi Eze lead the young Dartford side, which also included the likes of Richie Atkins, Hugo Taylor, Albie O’Mara-Knapp, and goalkeeper Carter Sullivan on what proved to be a rather cold night at the Stanmore Stadium.

Despite a majority of the first-half being on the scrappy side, it was the Dockers who came agonisingly close to taking the lead as early as the second minute. Elliott Duncan was the first to get on a dangerous ball into the box, only to blaze it over Carter Sullivan’s crossbar.

Very little happened in front of either goal-mouth from then on, until the 28th minute, when Albie O’Mara-Knapp saw his effort blocked well by an Erith Town defender.

Goalkeeper Jack West-Astuti picked up an injury soon afterwards, and was replaced by Dockers’ number one Harrison Firth (33), by which point the game sparked into life!

And it was the visitors who edged in front, when Richie Atkins’ lovely ball caused mayhem inside the Erith Town area, whereby Albie O’Mara-Knapp pounced first to fire in his first goal for the Darts (37).

The hosts responded in a positive manner, and only a good defensive intervention prevented Tom O’Connor from equalising five minutes later.

The game was eventually halted by referee, Mr Michael Butcher, deep into stoppage time at the end of the half after O’Mara-Knapp had been injured during a Dartford attacking move.

Sadly, the youngster was unable to continue despite trying his best after the restart. His replacement was Jeremiah Pinder, who came on after 53 minutes.

Rewinding back to the start of the second-half, Erith Town were quicker out of the blocks and deservedly level via Aaron Jeffrey’s header from a Dockers corner (51).

Dartford responded via Kelechi Nkwocha, who’s excellent strike was palmed behind by Harrison Firth on the hour, before the hosts saw an effort put behind for a corner at the other end (71).

The Darts did have the ball in the back of the net in the 86th minute, only to see it chalked off for an apparent hand-ball offense… youngster Elliot Oviave received a yellow card for his protests regarding the disallowed goal.

A nasty foul on Carter Sullivan deep into stoppage time went unpunished by Mr Butcher, which meant the goalkeeper couldn’t continue. Ady Pennock subsequently introduced youngster Victor Anjorin just in time for the lottery of a penalty shootout.

Despite the youngster saving a spot-kick, it was the hosts that narrowly won by four penalties to three to progress to the second round.

Dartford might have exited the competition at the first attempt, however, the team of young Academy players should be extremely proud of what was an excellent performance against more senior players. The future’s certainly bright for this young Dartford side.

ERITH TOWN: Jack West-Astuti, Jude Jeffrey, Jerome Jayaguru, Ross Craig, Aaron Jeffrey (c), Elliott Duncan, Lorenzo Lewis, Dami Olusesi, Calum McGeehan, Tom O’Connor, Mecca Maxime-Samuels.
SUBSTITUTES: Chris-Emmanuel Loko, Malachy Turner, Manny Oluwasemo, Brandon Hatega, Harrison Firth.

DARTFORD: Carter Sullivan, Hugo Taylor, Kai Jeffrey, Ikechi Eze (c), Ola Thompson, Daniel Atta, Jeevan Benning, Kelechi Nkwocha, Albie O’Mara-Knapp, Richie Atkins, Elliot Oviave.
SUBSTITUTES: Victor Anjorin, George Whitefield, Olly Box, Luther Williams, Jeremiah Pinder.

Match Photos Gallery

Chris Palmer