Dartford’s two year stint in the Conference Premier League came to an end in front of their own fans as they lost to relegated Tamworth.

The day started with Dartford having to win to keep the hope up but Tamworth came down to Princes Park to spoil the party.

The first half started with Dartford on the front foot & in the 4^th minute Lee Burns on the right crossed to the back post for Lee Noble but his header went over the bar, a minute later Elliott Bradbrook crossed to Jim Stevenson whose volleyed shot from 18 yards was deflected for a throw in.

Tamworth got their first chance in the 8^th minute when Kevin Thornton’s free kick to the back post found Jessy Reindorf but his header hit the side netting.

Three minutes later a Jack Evans free kick to Thornton whose shot was deflected for a corner. In the 21st minute Bradbrook in the area saw his shot parried away by Cameron Belford, another chance came in the 24^th minute when Danny Harris received the ball on the edge of the area turned & shot just past the post.

Dartford were now having the lion’s share of possession & in the 28^th minute Ben Swallow on halfway saw his cross field pass find Bradbrook but his shot from 20 yards flew over the bar, a minute later Swallow on the right crossed to the back post for Bradbrook who headed back to Max Cornhill who passed to Noble & his shot from 6 yards was deflected for a corner & from the resulting corner into the 6 yard area Bradbrook bundled the ball over the line to give Dartford a deserved lead.

In the 36^th minute the last chance of the half came when Noble passed to Swallow whose shot was saved by Belford. Half time arrived & it was going to plan for Tony Burman & his players.

The second half started with Tamworth in charge as Dartford seemed to let them control the game, as in the 46^th minute a free kick into the Dartford area saw Jordan Keane’s shot go just past the post.

In the 49^th minute Claudio Hoban’s cross into the back post for Richard Peniket on his own but he headed wide. In a rare attack a Dartford free kick was half cleared for Rory McAuley but his header was saved.

The game changed in the space of 30 seconds when in the 59^th minute Swallow’s cross to the back post found Noble 8 yards out on his own & his shot was saved by Belford & his quick clearance down the left wing saw Wollery cross into the area for Reindorf who slid in & poked home from 6 yards.

Dartford were stunned by this but nearly regained the lead in the 64th minute when a throw in into the area was allowed to bounce & Harris got to it but his lob from the by-line hit the top of the net.

In the 71^st minute Lloyd Kerry running forward saw his shot from 25 yards go wide & then in the 78^th minute disaster struck when a ball into the Dartford area saw ex Maidstone player Kayne Wollery fouled & a penalty was given, up stepped Thornton who thumped it into top right hand corner.

In the very next minute Reindorf 25 yards out decided to shoot forcing Alan Julian to tip it around the post. Three minutes later Wollery on the edge of the area battled away to get the ball & then saw his shot from 20 yards go over the bar.

In the very next minute Julian came to the rescue as Kerry found himself in the area 6 yards out on his own & his shot was blocked & then saved.

In the 90^th minute a Dartford free kick into the Tamworth area was cleared  & Thornton carried the ball from halfway with three Tamworth players around him & no Dartford players & went into the area before slotting the ball past Julian.

Dartford got a consolation goal in the 3^rd minute of added time when Bradbrook shot from 18 yards through a crowd of players beating Belford.

The final whistle went & the Dartford players & Management were in shock as relegation was now fact.

DARTFORD:

1. A.JULIAN  4. T.STERLING (90+2)  6. M. CORNWALL  8 .L.NOBLE 10. E.BRADBROOK 11. D.HARRIS

14. M.MITCHEL-KING (26) 19.B.SWALLOW  20. L.BURNS  31. J.STEVENSON (67)  38. R.McAULEY

SUBS USED: 5. K.CLARK (26)  30. A.WOODWARD (90+2)  37. M.SUAREZ (67)

SUBS NOT USED: 15. N.COLLIER  29. C.HOLLOWAY

 

TAMWORTH:

1. C.BELFORD  2. J.EVANS  3. C.HOBAN  5. J.REINDORF 6. B.RICHARDS-EVERTON 7. L.KERRY (90+3)

11. K.THORNTON 12. J.CAPRICE  17. R.PENIKET  18.K.WOOLERY  34. J.KEANE

SUBS USED: 8.R.BAKER (90+3)

SUBS NOT USED; 10.D.BYFIELD  21. D.VANDERHYDE  24. A.BATIS-CANDE  31. D.BELFORD

BOOKINGS: 6. B.RICHARDS-EVERTON (43) 12. J.CAPRICE (81)

REFEREE: Mr C.HICKS

ASSISTANT REFEREES: MrJ.SMITH & Mr J.PIKE

4^TH OFFICIAL: Mr T.DONNELLAN

ATTENDANCE: 1,465