Dartford went down to second in the table with a poor performance against relegation threatened Poole Town, the visitors came & spoilt the party & helped themselves to three well earned valuable points.

The snow break seemed to hit Dartford more than Poole with their poorest performance for a long time, some might say a bad day at the office.

The first half took a while to get going & in the 19^th minute Dartford had the first half chance when Ryan Hayes free kick into the area was flicked on by Elliot Bradbrook but no one latched onto it as it fell into Nick Hutchings mid drift, a minute later it was Poole’s turn when Warren Bentley on the left saw his low cross evade everyone.

In the 28^th minute Poole could have taken the lead when Bentley was put through on goal but Herbert Sschotterl came off his line & saved the point blank shot. In the 39^th minute they got closer to scoring when Marvin Brooks on the right received the ball & then cut inside & his curling shot from 20 yards came back off the crossbar.

Half time arrived & Tony Burman would have to rally his troops with a great half time speech, while Tom Killick would want more of the same.

The second half started with Poole on the front foot & in the 48^th minute they should have taken the lead when Brooks on the right saw his low cross end up with Bentley on the far post his cross shot saw James Constable 5 yards out with the goal at his mercy miskick it wide.

Two minutes later & they got closer to scoring when Steve Devlin on the left saw his curling cross come back off the crossbar & come out to Richard Gillespie who from 15 yards saw his shot cleared off the line by Tom Bonner. In the 53^rd minute Dartford against the run of play saw Alfie Pavey muscle his way into the area & from 15 yards his shot was saved by Hutchins, then two minutes later a Hayes cross was punched clear by Hutchins but only to Bradbrook who under pressure shot wide from 15 yards.

In the 63^rd minute Poole eventually took the lead when a free kick right on the penalty area was taken by Devlin whose free kick went low across the area & found its way to Captain Jamie Whisken on the back post & he controlled it & from8 yards he shot past Scotterl. Five minutes later & Bentley & Gillespie combined on the edge of the area & Gillespie shot wide.

Another chance for Poole came in the 70^th minute when Bentley on the left wing cut inside & passed to Devlin but from 8 yards he shot over the bar. Dartford were now hoping that they could create one chance & score & in the 72^nd minute a corner to the back post found Mills but his header was easily saved by Hutchings & in the very next minute Andy Pugh running forward saw his 25 yard shot saved.

The game petered out with Dartford trying their hardest to equalise but Poole remained resolute & once the final whistle went wild celebrations occurred whilst the Dartford players trudged off the pitch knowing they had wasted a god opportunity to stay on top of the table.

 

DARTFORD:

1. SCHOTTERL 2. D.HARRIS  3. M.ONYEMAH   4. T.BONNOR  5. N.COLLIER  6. A.BROWN (67) 7. R.HAYES 8. E.BRADBROOK  9. A.PAVEY (81)  10. A,PUGH (77)  11. D.MILLS

SUBS USED:  15. L.NOBLE (67)  12. D.OFORI-ACHEAMPONG (78)  15. T.MURPHY (81)

SUBS NOT USED:  14. R.VINT  18. D.IBRAHIM

BOOKINGS:   3. M.ONYEMAH

 

POOLE TOWN:

1. HUTCHINGS  2. C.MOORE    3. J.SMEETON   4.W.SPETCH  5. J.WHISKEN  6. C.PETTIFER  7. R.GILLESPIE (77) 8. S.DEVLIN  9. J.CONSTABLE  10. M.BROOKS  11. W.BENTLEY

SUBS USED:    12. M.NEALE (77)

SUBS NOT USED:  13. T.REES  14. O.BALMER  15. J.ADEKUNLE-OTUDEKO 16. U.AIHEVBA

BOOKINGS:   NONE

 

REFEREE:  Mr R.WHITTON

ASSISTANTS:  Mr K.DEMPSTER  & Mr M.MARSH

ATTENDANCE: 928