MATCH REPORT | DARTFORD 4 LEWES 1
Amongst the 1,075 supporters were the Darts’ Norwegian friends, Stovner Saklighetsraad for Engelsk Fotball, who’d made their annual pilgrimage to Kent to sponsor and support Ady Pennock’s side on this beautiful afternoon.
And barely had anyone managed to get comfortable when a good attack down the Dartford left-flank resulted in Smith being given far too much space inside the Lewes box. As time stood still, he fired the hosts in front within the first minute.
The striker was full of confidence, and he decided to take matters into his own hands to send a delightful curling effort beyond the hapless Louis Rogers to double the hosts’ lead in the eleventh minute… a definite contender for goal of the season!
It was a breathtaking start by the hosts, who could easily have been 3-0 to the good before Smith had netted his second! Callum Jones saw a header cleared off the line (5) and Smith himself saw Rogers pull off a fine save just two minutes after that (7).
Craig Nelson’s side responded via the lively Charlie Walker, but his low strike flew narrowly wide of Jonny Henly’s far post (19). The Lewes player tried again on the half-hour, but couldn’t keep his effort down.
Jeremiah Pinder had an opportunity to stretch Dartford’s lead to three in the 37th minute after excellent work by Olly Box, but his effort somehow scooped up and over Rogers’ crossbar.
Craig Nelson wasn’t best pleased with his players at the break, as he sent them out early before the restart. And despite Olly Box testing Louis Rogers early after the restart (50), the visitors, who were skippered by former Dart Tyler Christian-Law, began the second-half on the front-foot.
Devonte West pulled a goal back for the Rooks, as they rallied in an effort to get back into the game (53). And ten minutes later saw Jonny Henly pull off an excellent save to prevent the Rooks from equalising.
Having weathered the early storm, Ady Pennock introduced some fresh legs in a bid to help his side get over the line. First to come on was Sammie McLeod, who replaced Dan Carter (67). Then a triple substitution occurred with Rohan Vaughan, Eddie Dsane, and Luther Williams all coming on for Olly Box, Dan Smith, and Sam Odaudu respectively (74). That would be followed by George Whitefield making way for Joe Tennent late on (87).
As we return to the action following that first change in personnel, the game swung back towards the host’s favour as Denzelle Olopade fired home their third goal following good work by Callum Jones (69).
The points were sealed by skipper Michael Olarewaju, who popped up to head home Rohan Vaughan’s cross (75), as the visitors looked shell-shocked by the two quick goals.
Eddie Dsane was unfortunate to not be awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time, but the Darts certainly weren’t to be denied an excellent win this afternoon.
Dan Smith’s efforts earned him a thoroughly deserved Man of The Match award, courtesy of our Norwegian friends and sponsors Stovner Saklighetsraad for Engelsk Fotball, who witnessed an excellent performance from the Dartford camp.
DARTFORD: Jonny Henly, Sam Odaudu, Michael Olarewaju (c), George Whitefield, Samuel Okoye, Denzelle Olopade, Dan Carter, Jeremiah Pinder, Olly Box, Callum Jones, Dan Smith.
SUBSTITUTES: Eddie Dsane, Joe Tennent, Luther Williams, Sammie McLeod, Rohan Vaughan.
LEWES: Louis Rogers, Ryan Bernal, Alex Kpakpe, Tyler Christian-Law (c), Jerry Puemo, Olly Hamstead, Danny Bassett, Devonte West, Bobby Unwin, Charlie Walker, Parish Muirhead.
SUBSTITUTES: Alfie Allen, Taurean Roberts, Beaux Booth, MacKenzie Richardson, Dominic Budgen.
Chris Palmer