With Storm Amy wrecking havoc across the UK, both sides struggled as strong wind blew around Brickfield Lane to make playing conditions difficult.

Goal-mouth action was scarce, particularly during the first-half which saw Dartford take an early lead via Olly Box’s excellent strike in the tenth minute.

The Bricks did respond to that opening goal, with Lenny Asamoah looking especially lively on their left-flank. It was his lovely pass to a teammate that prompted Michael Olarewaju to clear an effort off the line from a corner after an initial strike had been deflected behind (13).

The Dartford skipper had a good opportunity to double Dartford’s lead two minutes later at the other end, but the ball was easily collected by Hadley goalkeeper Charlie Taylor.

The game then settled into a midfield battle for a majority of the half, as the blustery conditions made football difficult yet not impossible.

And it was the hosts who created their best opportunity before the break, which the lively Billy Hayes struck sweetly only to see Jonny Henly get down to make the block with his feet deep into stoppage time (45+3).

The opening exchanges of the second-half saw very little in the way of goal-scoring opportunities for either side, until Callum Jones forced Charlie Taylor into a good save in the 65th minute.

That was soon followed by a brilliant move involving Jones, Olly Box, and Denzelle Olopade to feed the ball into the path of Sam Smith… who’s right-footed low drive was again saved by Taylor (68).

Ady Pennock made his first change in personnel after 72 minutes, when Samir Carruthers came on to replace Olly Box. Eddie Dsane would then come on for Michael Olarewaju (84), in the only substitutions for the Darts this afternoon.

As we return to the action, we find the hosts level the score via Hedley Ogbebor’s deflected strike (75), which was their first effort on target of the second forty-five.

Dartford responded with a Carruthers free-kick, which Callum Jones just couldn’t keep down (79), before a moment of magic from Finley Aldridge with a curling drive turned the game around seven minutes from the end.

The Bricks then went on to control the remaining minutes to keep the Darts at bay and, thus, book their place in the next round of the competition.

HADLEY: Charlie Taylor, Prince Kandolo, Callum Ismail, Cameron Ferguson, Luke Massingham, Peter Rosemin, Lenny Asamoah, Billy Hayes, Jordan Edwards, Finley Aldridge, Tage Kennedy.
SUBSTITUTES: Alvin Kyeremeh, Hedley Ogbebor, Romey Meodod, Antonio Paone-Michael, Isaac Stones.

DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Sam Smith, Michael Olarewaju (c), George Whitefield, Joe Tennent, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Sam Odaudu, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Dan Smith.
SUBSTITUTES: Carter Sullivan, Samir Carruthers, Eddie Dsane, Luther Williams, Jeremiah Pinder.

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Chris Palmer