Late drama allowed Dartford to snatch a point from their home game against Maidstone with Elliott Bradbrook cancelling out Alex Flisher’s strike.
The two teams had very different starts to the season, Dartford began the day in 13th after although opening to the year which they have been attempting to turn around. The Darts were unbeaten since the start of October and, after scoring six goals in their last three games, were looking as though they would be able to push on and improve.
Maidstone however, took the short trip to north Kent in third place in the National League South and had an impressive record of their own, having not lost a game in the competition since the final day of August. After a tough loss to Yeovil in the FA Cup the previous week they looked to return to winning ways. The Stones made two changes from their FA Cup tie, in midfield Jack Paxman was replaced by Joe Healy whilst Alex Okrofi took the place of Alex Osborn. Their side consisted of four ex darts with Callum Driver, Jamie Coyle, joe Healy and Jay May all spending time at Princes Park.
In the opposite dugout Tony Burman made one change from Dartford’s 2-0 win against Hayes and Yeading, this came in midfield with Lee Noble returning to the side in the place of Ebrima Adams.
After an edgy opening twenty minutes a spectacular effort from Tom Bradbrook was acrobatically saved by Lee Worgan. A long ball forward allowed Barry Cogan to lay the ball off for Bradbrook who, from 20 yards out, hit an impressive left footed volley which Worgan did well to tip wide.
This seemed to liven the game up as five mnutes later Maidstone’s Alex Akrofi was able to reach a weak pass back to Deren Ibrahim, but the goalkeeper did well to put pressure on the striker who could only put a shot straight at Ibrahim.
After such a tight first half both teams would need something special if they were to leave with all three points, and early in the half Dartford had an opportunity. After Ryan Hayes let the ball run for Tom Gardiner the ful back put a cross into the area which, despite flashing across the goalmouth, no Dartford players could convert the chance.
Minutes later it was Maidstone’s turn to offer some attacking flair, but after Alex Flisher’s corner was cleared back into his feet, he hit a curled cross from the right which Ibrahim was forced to push wide.
From the resulting corner Ibrahim was called into action again, punching away Flisher’s corner. Maidstone continued to apply pressure and without losing the ball, the composed themselves allowing Flisher to find space at the near post which, from Matt Bodkin’s cross, the winger was able to convert. Giving his side the opening goal of the game after 52 minutes.
As the game began to finally open up, both sides were able to push forward in ways they couldn’t in the first half, Elliot Bradbrook clipped the top of the bar with a header from a corner and soon after Danny Harris was unable to get into the end of a through ball from Ryan Hayes.
With just under 70 minutes gone, the hosts had another opportunity to equalise, but after a cross from the left fell to Ryan Hayes at the far post, the winger could only put an effort ontot eh outside of the woodwork.
Maidstone came back through Callum Driver, and after his effort was blocked by Ronnie Vint, substitute Adam Birchall’s towering header put the ball over.
With only nine minutes to play Dartford were finally able to get the elusive equaliser. After a cross from the left was flicked on towards Elliott Bradbrook the midfielder was able to beat Lee Worgan at the near post. Despite initially disallowing the goal for offside the referee reversed his decision
Moments after their first of the day, Dartford nearly completed the turnaround when Mark Onyemah hit the underside of the bar but, in a finish which is only possible in a local derby, Maidstone pushed forward and Alex Flisher’s cross from the right was met by Jay May, only for his looping hear to fly agonisingly over.
With four added minutes either team were still able to capitalise on a quick break, Ebrima Adams placed a shot just wide, meaning despite their efforts in the final ten minutes, the sides were forced to settle for one point.
Whilst Dartford remain in thirteenth as they look ahead to their Kent Senior Cup tie against Gillingham on Monday, the point is more harmful for Maidstone. After Whitehawk’s impressive win at Margate thy drop down to fourth and are only in the playoff places by four points. They will look to regroup whrn they welcome Maidenhead United to the Gallagher Stadium.
Dartford: Ibrahim, Gardiner, Onyemah, Vint, McNaughton, Noble (Adams), Hayes, E Bradbrook, T Bradbrook (Pugh), Cogan (Simmons), Harris
Subs not used: Dembele, Wynter
Maidstone United: Worgan, Drier, Mills, Coyle, Parry, Rogers, Bodkin (Taylor), Healy, May, Akrofi (Birchall), Flisher
Subs not used: Paxman, Collin, Watt
Referee: Mr I Cooper
Assistants: Mr D Bonneywell and Mr S Brown