Dartford came away from today’s game with a slim chance of making the Play-offs & it could have been better as they had chances to win the game at the end.

The game started slowly as if both teams had nothing to play for which in Dartford’s case was a surprise whilst Oxford were playing for pride.

The first half chance came in the 11^th minute when Ryan Hayes crossed into the area where it was cleared but only to Elliott Bradbrook whose first time shot from 18 yards flew over the bar. Oxford were playing the ball around well without causing many problems & their first half chance came in the 18^th minute when a free kick 22 yards out saw Matty Whichelow curl it just past the post.

Six minutes later in a breakaway Hayes received the ball out wide on the right & he cut inside & shot from 20 yards but Laurie Walker saved it easily, he was to have an eventful game.

In the 32^nd minute Dartford nearly took the lead when Andy Pugh on the left crossed into the 6 yard box for Elliot Bradbrook whose flicked shot was superbly saved by Walker for a corner, a minute later another chance came when a quick free kick by Hayes found Pugh on the right wing & his low cross was partially cleared to Debutant Paul Lorraine whose shot from 6 yards was saved by Walker.

Three minutes later a Hayes corner was flicked goal wards by Tom Wynter only for Matt Bevans to head off the line then in the 44^th minute came the sucker punch as Lorraine saw his pass forward intercepted by Bradley Bubb who put Whichelow through & slipped the ball past Dean Gardikiotis to put City one up.

At this time Dartford had a mountain to climb but what would Tony Burman say to his troops to get them going we will find out.

The second half turned out to be completely different from the first as both teams went for it especially Dartford.

In the 51^st minute a Wynter long throw into the area found Elliot Bradbrook whose header found Pugh who from 8 yards volleyed goal wards but Walker saved it, this is when Walker’s extraordinary day started as he was booked for time wasting, then two minutes later Dartford were level when Pugh’s cross field pass to Hayes whose cross into the area was headed in from 6 yards by Captain Fantastic Elliott Bradbrook.

A minute later & Oxford had regained the lead when Bubb on the right saw his low cross to the back post hit Tom Gardiner & come back to Julian Lafuente who stabbed home from 5 yards.

Dartford then started to control the possession & in the 64^th minute Hayes from 25 yards saw his free kick go just past the post & then 7 minutes later a header forward put Danny Harris in but from 10 yards under pressure he shot wide.

In the 84^th minute Hayes on the right cut inside & tried his luck from 20 yards but it went wide. As time was running out Dartford were throwing everything at Oxford then in the 86^th minute a Hayes cross saw Elliot Bradbrook on the far post & he headed back across goal for Pugh who controlled it shot but Walker saved it & the ball came out to Hayes who shot home but the referee had already whistled for a penalty & in the three minutes that elapsed before the penalty would be taken saw a lot of players surrounding the referee & then a Red Card came out & Walker was sent off.

Elliot Bradbrook stepped up & shot past the new keeper Declan Benjamin who had only been on since the 66^th minute.

The referee indicated four minutes of added on time & in the first minute Elliot Bradbrook in the area saw his hooked cross met by Pugh but from 4 yards the ball flew over the bar, then in the next minute a glorious chance fell to Pugh as Elliot Bradbrook put him clear but from 10 yards his shot was saved by stand in keeper Benjamin’s legs & in the third minute off added on time a corner into the area saw Pugh’s shot pushed away by Benjamin.

The final whistle went & for Dartford they have to go to St Albans & win & hope other results go their way.

 

DARTFORD:

1. GARDIKIOTIS 2. T.GARDINER  3. T.WYNTER  4. R.VINT  5. P.LORRAINE (76, DEBUT)  6. L.BURNS (65) 7. R.HAYES 8. E.BRADBROOK  9. A.PUGH  10. N.FERGUSON  11. D.HARRIS

SUBS USED: 14. T.BRADBROOK (65)  12. B.COGAN (76)

SUBS NOT USED:  15. B-K DEMBELE  16. J.SIMMONS  17. B.FRANCIS

BOOKED:  6. L.BURNS (40)  11. D.HARRIS (90+5)

 

OXFORD CITY:

1. WALKER 2. M.BEVANS  3. M.PEAKE-PUEN  4. J.LAPOUJADE  5. A.SANTIAGO  6. J.ARZAMENDI 7.B.BUBB 8. R.FLEET 9. C.McDONAGH (68)  10. J.LAFUENTE  11. M.WHICHELOW

SUBS USED:  12. D.BENJAMIN (68)

SUBS NOT USED: 14. C.PIFARRE  15. M.KNAPTON  16. A.AWADH

BOOKINGS:  1. L.WALKER (41)  9. C.McDONAGH (63)  2. M.BEVANS (68)

SENT OFF: 1. L.WALKER  (86)

 

REFEREE:  Mr I.FISSENDEN

ASSISTANTS:  Mr J.PACKMAN & Mr P.ROWLEY

ATTENDANCE: 1190