Dartford got their promotion push back on track against fellow play-off hopes Hemel but in reality they got out of jail scoring two goals in the last ten minutes to claim the points.

After last week’s horror show they needed to win in front of their own supporters & this they did but they made really hard work of it as for most of the game the Tudors were the better side.

The game started with snow showers & freezing conditions but this did not stop both teams for producing a five goal thriller. Hemel were the first to have a half chance of scoring when in the 14^th minute a free kick was allowed to drop into the area where David Moyo reacted the quickest & his flicked shot went over Berti  Schotterl but landed on top of the net.

Two minutes later a low cross to Jordan Parkes inside the area & his shot was cleared off the line by Tom Bonner & his clearance saw a shot go over the bar.

The game was controlled by Hemel but in the 31^st minute against the run of play Dartford took the lead when a poor free kick across the edge of the area found Lee Noble who back heeled it into the path of Andy Pugh who from the edge of the area curled his shot past Laurie Walker.

It did not take Hemel too long to get back into the game when in the 38^th minute Parkes from 30 yards shot past Schotterl. With half time approaching Hemel took the lead when in added on time a corner to the back post was retrieved by Spencer McAll who crossed to the back post for Moyo who from 2 yards shot home.

The half time whistle went & again the half time team talk would have changed for both managers.

The second half was an anticlimax as both sides seemed to cancel each other out, there were few chances but Hemel would have liked to be a bit more clinical as on a few occasions they broke away but the final pass was lacking.

The game changed when Hemel took of their skipper Parkes in the 80^th minute & had been instrumental in their play, in the very next minute Pugh latched onto a loose ball & from 20 yards his shot beat Walker, game on.

Both sides looked for the winner & with the game going into added on time Dartford grabbed the winner when Nathan Collier by the corner flag saw his cross into area met by Substitute Alfie Pavey & from 6 yards his header hit the back of the net causing celebrations all around even Tony Burman running down the touchline celebrating.

The final whistle went & there were two sets of emotions, Dartford’s players, manager & supporters ecstatic while the Hemel players, manager & supporters devastated.

 

DARTFORD:

1. SCHOTTERL 2.  N.COLLIER   3. M.ONYEMAH  4. T.BONNER   5. R.VINT  6. A.BROWN  7. R.HAYES (67) 8. E.BRADBROOK 9. D.OFARI-ACHEAMPONG (74)  10. A.PUGH  11. L.NOBLE

SUBS USED:  12. A.PAVEY (67)  14. D.MILLS (74)

SUBS NOT USED:  15. T.MURPHY  16. L.DELLA-VERDE   17. D.IBRAHIM

BOOKINGS:  11. L.NOBLE (60)

 

HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN:

1. WALKER 2 D.SPENCE   3. K.CONNOLLY   4. J.PARKES (80)   5. D.WARD  6. J.HOWE  7. M.SAUNDERS 8. M.CAIN (62) 9. D.MOYO  10. S.WATT  11. S.McALL (75)

SUBS USED:  16. K.OLIYIDI (60)  15. S.SHULTON (62)  12. J.KALERI (75)

SUBS NOT USED:  14. W.HOSKINS  17. D.BONESS

BOOKINGS:  6. J.HOWE (43)  2. D.SPENCE (90+3)

 

REFEREE: Mr W.CARTMEL

ASSISTANTS:  Mr G.HERON  &   Mr S.SCOTT

ATTENDANCE: 737