A stunning Denzelle Olopade strike restored a youthful Dartford’s lead to secure three points on Isthmian Premier opening day.

Ady Pennock’s Dartford travelled to newly promoted Cray Valley PM, and certainly faced a tough task to kickstart their league campaign.

The Darts were quick out of the blocks and set the tone for the first half, as Callum Jones’ shot within the first minute flashed across the face of Max Ovenden’s goal.

Jones, who joined from Chelmsford in the summer, gave the Millers’ defence a headache from start to finish. His effort to keep a long ball from skipper Josh Hill in play was nearly rewarded, as his delivery to the near post was headed over by Olly Box.

Despite this, the hosts were a constant threat. Freddie Parker found himself one-on-one with Matt Kerbey following some loose play from Luther Williams after stepping into midfield, but the Dartford keeper got there first and drew a foul in the process.

Shortly after, the visitors found the breakthrough. Box held up fullback Barney Williams, and eventually wriggled away from his man with some fine footwork. His ball into the box was received well by Jones, who escaped the pressure on his back and squeezed his shot into the bottom corner.

Academy graduate Jeremiah Pinder came close to doubling their lead with what could have been an early ‘goal of the season’ contender. The young midfielder took Jones’ cross down with his back to play and danced past two defenders into the box, but his shot across goal flew wide.

The Millers’ kicked off for the second half a goal down, but swiftly after saw themselves a man down as well. Hassan Ibrahiym, booked in the first half for a challenge on Samuel Okoye, flew into Luther Williams, and referee Kane Dempster found no other option but to brandish a second yellow card.

Much to the surprise of Dartford, Ibrahiym’s dismissal gave Steve McKimm’s side a boost. Control of the game in midfield slipped away from the Darts, with the hosts threatening often on the counter, particularly through Andre Coker. The tricky winger was goal-bound before being steered out of play by Williams, and also saw a speculative shot saved by Kerbey.

After a string of poor set pieces in the first half, Cray Valley found the leveller with a corner in the second. It was Thomas Chambers that found the net, but the Dartford squad (as well as many in attendance) were in disbelief that the goal was given. Kerbey was dragged down by Parker during the routine and found himself booked for complaining about the decision.

With the setback in mind, the Darts responded in emphatic fashion. After a burst of combination play around the hosts’ box, the ball fell to Olopade, who wrapped the ball past Ovenden and into the side netting from 25 yards out. The celebrations of his surrounding teammates mirrored those of the travelling fans behind the goal.

Even with the lead restored, the closing stages of the game remained tense. Dartford were unable to keep hold of the ball, allowing for a wave of Cray Valley attacks on the counter and from set pieces. However, Pennock’s young side kept their composure and remained resolute, with the referee’s whistle signalling the Darts’ first win of the new season.

Dartford: Kerbey, Okoye, Whitefield, Hill (c), Williams, Odaudu, Pinder, Olopade, Christian-Law, Jones, Box.

Substitutes: Atkinson, Apat, Nayler, Campbell, Allen

Cray Valley PM: Ovenden, Williams, Chambers, Lee (c), Oshilaja, Gayle, Parker, Coker, Vigor, Waldren, Ibrahiym.

Substitutes: Tumkaya, Ademiluyi, Barrington, Asiedu, Della-Verde.

Referee: Kane Dempster.

Assistants: Krystian Kaczala & Ricardo Reynolds.

Attendance: 784