- Smith (32')
Such was Ady Pennock’s side’s dominance during the opening seventy minutes, that it was a wonder that the lead wasn’t more than a solitary goal on this cold afternoon at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park.
It didn’t all go the way of the hosts in the first-half though, with the unlucky Dan Smith being forced off with an injury after just five minutes. Yet his replacement, Dan Carter, would prove to be instrumental in the Darts’ game-plan.
Both Olly Box and Samuel Okoye created excellent early opportunities for the Darts, which Callum Jones was unfortunate not to convert, before the number seven came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock after Carter had forced a corner (21).
Jeremiah Pinder, Dan Carter, and Denzelle Olopade all had good opportunities in quick succession, before the excellent Sam Smith pounced on a loose ball following a corner to fire the Darts ahead in the 32nd minute.
Olly Box and Dan Carter both saw efforts excellently blocked, as the hosts lay seige upon the Hamlet defence, before the former came agonisingly close to doubling Dartford’s lead on the stroke of half-time.
The visitors looked a little more assertive during the second forty-five, and only a superb intervention by George Whitefield prevented Luke Wanadio from troubling goalkeeper Jonny Henly (51).
Yet the Darts continued to be a threat, with Carter just missing the top corner with a delicious drive following excellent hold-up play by Callum Jones (60).
Olly Box and Jeremiah Pinder saw further efforts blocked, as the Dulwich defence continued to keep the hosts at bay. Carter then forced Toby Bull into a fine save (67) before making way for Jacob Bland shortly afterwards (71).
Ady Pennock would go on to take full advantage of his substitutes this afternoon, with the Dartford boss making a double change late on to help secure the victory. Jeremiah Pinder and Olly Box were the duo to depart, as Samir Carruthers and Sammie McLeod came on (85), before Ben Frempah came on for Samuel Okoye deep into stoppage time.
As we return to the action, the visitors gained some momentum after the Dan Carter/Jacob Bland change, and would finish the game the strongest as they searched for the equaliser.
Luke Wanadio fired wide of the far post, before Danny Mills saw his bullet header saved by Henly (77). Wanadio then fired narrowly over the crossbar, before Henly made another save from a drilled shot amongst a crowd of bodies to keep his clean sheet intact.
Having scored his first goal for the club, Sam Smith’s outstanding performance also earned him a deserved Man of The Match award as well.
And despite a nervous finish, Ady Pennock will be delighted with his team’s efforts, as Dartford clinched a ninth win of the season to climb to third in the table.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Luther Williams, Michael Olarewaju (c), George Whitefield, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Jeremiah Pinder, Sam Smith, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Dan Smith.
SUBSTITUTES: Samir Carruthers, Ben Frempah, Jacob Bland, Sammie McLeod, Dan Carter.
DULWICH HAMLET: Toby Bull, Giovanni Palmer, Jordan Wynter, Nyren Clunis (c), Amadou Kassarate, Luke Wanadio, Alfie Payne, Solomon Baugh, Ruben Barlett-Antwi, Joseph Adewunwi, Bonnett-Johnson.
SUBSTITUTES: Frederick Davison, Danny Mills, Jadon Raymond, Thomas Chambers, Lonit Talla.
Chris Palmer
