After what was a mostly positive performance, the Darts were made to rue their wastefulness after dropping points at home to Taunton. Despite the character shown to equalise through Funmaya Shomotun, they were unable to build on the goal.
The game marked a debut for Dartford’s latest loanee Ibby Akanbi, and the striker was involved early on. He dropped in to spread the ball wide to Shomotun on the right; the winger beat his man to cross the ball in, but saw his delivery headed clear.
Some really good football was on display between Max Statham and Shomotun on the right. The latter played Statham in behind, who whipped a ball in to be received by Akanbi, but Taunton cleared. Statham was involved again shortly after, as he almost netted the opener with a cross-cum-shot. It appeared momentarily troubling for Dan Lavercombe in goal but landed on the roof of the net.
Taunton were an omnipresent threat for much of the first half. A long ball from Nick Grimes found the head of fullback Zac Bell, who knocked it down for Nat Jarvis in behind the Darts defence. The striker played it back to Cameron Evans, who saw his attempted cross blocked and out of Princes Park for a corner. The subsequent delivery was headed away at the near post by Luke Coulson, with the Darts captain also blocking the second cross.
Mass controversy ensued in the 16th minute – referee Daniel Baines missed a foul on Akanbi, leading to Romain seeking retribution near the dugout. An argument broke out between Romain and Peacocks manager Rob Dray, sparking a brawl between the two sides with Romain grabbed by the throat. The aftermath saw Romain, Dray, and Nick Grimes booked, and a throw-in for the Darts. Further controversy followed after Dartford saw appeals for a penalty waived away, which led to Taunton breaking away and winning a spot kick of their own, as Zac Smith was fouled by Statham. Captain Grimes stepped up, and slotted past Billy Terrell to give the visitors the lead.
Despite the setback, Dartford dug in and found the equaliser. Coulson dug a wonderful cross out from the left, aimed towards Akanbi and Shomotun at the far post, with the latter nodding home past Lavercombe ten minutes from half-time.
The brilliance of Coulson was on show again as he drove some distance before laying the ball off to Shomotun, who cut in on his left foot to shoot. His resultant shot was blocked, with calls for handball waived away once again. This allowed Taunton to break away with Rabby Tabu Minzamba, with the midfielder passing to Zac Smith to shoot straight at Terrell. Smith’s shot was the last real chance of the half for either side, and the two entered the interval level.
Dartford started the second half much better than the first, with much of the possession being held in the attacking third. Clifford put in a teasing ball to the front post, but saw it cut out by Grimes for a corner. Coulson’s corner delivery troubled Lavercombe for a short while but bounced off the roof of the net.
A number of promising deliveries from Shomotun looked to be the way forward for the Darts, before they went closest from a Coulson freekick. The number seven was fouled by Minzamba, with his shot from the set piece going agonisingly close, but ultimately landing wide of Lavercombe’s goal.
Taunton grew into the half, as Ollie Chamberlain played a ball across the edge of the box to tee Callum Dolman up. The midfielder fired a shot to Terrell’s right, who tipped it round the post. Chamberlain was impressive not long after, as he fired a great half volley out wide to Bell. The right back drove forward and angled to shoot but was denied access, as Paul Rooney threw himself in front of the shot.
The introduction of Taunton’s top scorer Ross Stearn seemed to provide the Somerset side with some confidence in transition. He was played down the left in isolation against Joash Nembhard and shifted onto his right foot before firing a great shot towards Terrell’s far post, but the keeper saved masterfully.
Tony Burman’s decision to bring Alex Wall on was nearly fruitful shortly his entry. Rooney played a sweeping ball over the top for Wall, who latched onto the ball over his shoulder for a ferocious shot, which forced Lavercombe to tip the ball over from close range. The striker was brought down on the edge of the box shortly after by Grimes, who was shown a second yellow card and dismissed. Wall took the resultant freekick, but his low strike was gathered by Lavercombe.
Neither side could conjure up any chances of sustenance in the dying embers of the game, and the score remained 1-1. The draw sees Dartford remain in 18th, and just five points above the relegation zone. Truro, Taunton and Welling all have games in hand over the Darts.
Dartford: Terrell, Statham, Rooney, Nembhard, Clifford, Shomotun, Smith (Maloney 83mins), Wynter, Coulson, Akanbi (Wall 89mins), Romain (Box 74mins)
Subs not used: Miller-Rodney, Adebowale
Yellow: Wynter, Romain
Taunton: Lavercombe, Evans, Grimes, Bell, Ball, Chamberlain, James, Minzamba, Smith, Dolman, Jarvis (Stearn 68mins)
Subs not used: Day, Rose, Slough, Grubb
Yellow: Grimes (2), Ball, James, Minzamba, Smith
Red: Grimes
Attendance: 1,018
Referee: Daniel Baines
Assistants: Daniel Doyle & Rudin Preca