League: The FA Trophy
The FA Trophy
Dover Athletic FC v Dartford FC
DARTS DEFEAT DOVER
Whites beaten by Kent rivals in FA Trophy replay
DARTFORD earned a second-round clash with fellow National League side Chelmsford City after winning the replay against Whites on Tuesday.
Dover made the perfect start as Jim Stevenson crashed in an opener, but a scrappy leveller from Ronnie Vint and a stunning winner from Luke Wanadio turned the game around for Darts.
Boss Chris Kinnear kept faith with the same eleven that started the match at Princes Park on Saturday, a game which ended 1-1.
That meant Tyrone Sterling faced his former side, while Tom Wynter and Duane Ofori-Acheampong returned to Crabble for the first time since leaving.
Dartford were forced into making two changes from Saturday’s line-up with Tom Gardiner and Andy Pugh both injured. Ryan Hayes and Lee Noble replaced the duo.
Dover made a bright start with Moses Emmanuel skipping past two defenders and crossing for the well placed Jamie Grimes, but Dover’s captain planted his header over.
On 10 minutes, Stevenson picked the ball up in midfield and with no options ahead, went for glory from 25 yards.
Darts keeper Deren Ibrahim opted to parry the shot but was left red-faced as the ball bounced off the turf and into his goal.
His blushes were short-lived as Dartford equalised four minutes later.
Vint, who scored the equaliser on Saturday, volleyed through a crowded box after Dover keeper Steve Arnold was unable to deal with Hayes’ corner properly.
Wanadio, a summer trialist at Crabble, then tried his luck from the edge of the area, but Arnold was able to turn his stinging effort wide.
Dover responded with Emmanuel’s long-range curling effort spectacularly tipped onto the bar by Ibrahim.
Wanadio continued to impress, crossing for Acheampong to head over.
But he took his chance just before half time after Arnold punched a corner straight to the winger and he returned the ball with interest to give Dartford the lead.
Ricky Miller raced onto Ross Lafayette’s flick after the break but was unable to beat Ibrahim, whilst the Gibraltar stopper was quick off his line to block Emmanuel’s drive.
Noble should have killed the game off, but he blasted over after good work from Acheampong.
The defeat means Whites have lost in the Trophy to lower league opposition three years running.
They now turn their attention to Saturday’s league match at Forest Green Rovers, who they beat in a 4-3 thriller back in September.
DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION
MATCH GALLERY
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”173″ gal_title=”DAFC v Dartford 13/12/2016″]
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Dartford v Dover Athletic FC
DOVER and Dartford will meet again on Tuesday night following a 1-1 draw in the FA Trophy first round at Princes Park on Saturday afternoon.
Ronnie Vint’s second-half goal cancelled out Ricky Miller’s earlier finish to set up the midweek replay at Crabble.
The hosts were nearly ahead within minutes of the restart when Duane Ofori Acheampong almost found Andy Pugh in space, while at the other end Miller tested home keeper Deren Ibrahim on the volley.
Whites continued to press for an opener and Moses Emmanuel blazed over Aswad Thomas’ pinpoint cross.
Jack Parkinson headed straight at Ibrahim and Thomas tried himself soon after, slashing well wide from 25-yards.
Steve Arnold grabbed hold of Alex Brown’s long ranger and it was the away side who were ahead on 38 minutes.
Having denied dangerman Miller earlier, Gibraltar international Ibrahim was powerless to stop the hotshot striker bagging his 27th goal of the season from six yards.
Thomas flashed a header wide and following the restart Danny Harris sent a fierce 20-yard strike just off target.
That was a mere warning as the Darts levelled on just before the hour mark.
Arnold could only claw away a headed corner as far as Vint, who fired into the net within a crowded penalty area.
The away side were grateful to leave their Kent rivals with a draw after substitute Lee Noble curled inches past Arnold’s far post.
DOVER ATHLETIC REACTION
MATCH GALLERY
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”172″ gal_title=”Dartford v DAFC 10/12/2016″]
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Matty Holness
Matty Holness – Matty is a product of the Dover Athletic Academy and made his first team debut against Yeovil on the final day of the 23/24 campaign. Matty spent most of last season on loan at Erith & Belvedere FC and was man of the match in our Kent Senior Cup game against Beckenham.
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